Herb Salt is EASY to make!

Those who know me best, know that my favourite food group is "POTATOES". Oh I enjoy delightful greens, green salads, green everything.. but I simply salivate when it comes to potato dishes. Blame it on my parents.. Ok.. that's silly.. Blame it on my early home-life memories and my dad's amazing 'twice baked potatoes' or rosemary roasted potatoes.. all golden brown with crispy 'bits'..*
Wait.. I am supposed to be talking about herbs here!! I am getting to it.. I promise..

In late summer,  I like to incorporate the herbs who are still in the garden, into creative life-enhancing projects or gifts for friends + family. I grow my plant allies all spring and summer and harvest them for medicine but always leave some to inspire new projects!

You may have read these previous posts about DIY condiments here and here where I am sharing some of my all-time favourite ways to include more herbal goodness in our days.. Today ?

Today is all about EASY to MAKE Herb Salt

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HERB Salt:

Easy to make. Healthy. Meal-elevating. Sky's the limit. Countless options.

Ingredients

• 3 cups fresh herbs basil, rosemary, dill, oregano, yarrow, rose **
• 1 cup of good quality Sea Salt either coarse or regular

Instructions

1. Chop the herb (s) finely.
2. Put the herbs and the salt into a large bowl.

3. Using an immersion blender, pulse the ingredients, until mixed (or a food processor or "Bullet" or a mortar pestle etc...your choice)

4. Use a spatula to remove the trapped salt/herb from the blade of your chosen implement.

5. Spread the finished product on a cookie sheet or similar lined with parchment paper.

6. Place the herbs/salt in the oven for 6-8 hours at 110-120 degrees F (50-55 C)

7. Turn off the oven + open the door + leave the mixture in the oven overnight

8. OR just allow it to dry overnight or for at least 24 hours to ensure that it’s completely dry.

9. Place in small canning jars.

10. Label -- all contents + date

11. Store away from sunllight.

Recipe Notes

I suggest you place the finished product into small jars.
The product in a smaller jar means we can have it handy to use +
store with less air in each jar.. 

** We can use most herbs for this sort of preparation.
We can add colourful dried edible flowers of all kinds, as well as aromatic
seeds such as fennel or coriander etc.

** When I make for my own family, I double the herbs used; resulting in a lot less salt:herb ratio. Sometimes, when sharing these with friends, as a 'step ONE' of moving away from pure salt in meals, this ratio works better as an introduction.

People LOVE to receive these ‘gourmet’ salts.  I use them at the very end of preparation of meals, as a quick sprinkle of flavour enhancement!!
Here's a ROSEMARY HERB SALT-- I made it specifically, to give some love to roasted potatoes ! Yum.

I love to make projects that become special gifts for good friends

It takes a little time (for all to dry) but is easy!

Here's an idea:

What are your favourite foods and combinations? What kind of condiment would enhance your own meals?

My family really enjoyed  a sun-dried tomato and roasted garlic combination last fall.

What is growing in your garden?
Here are some other ideas for you:
finely diced or crushed basil, cilantro, lavender, lemon balm, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, savory, tarragon, thyme; or whole bay leaf
OR
whole caraway, celery, coriander, cumin, fennel, poppy, sesame seeds
AND
finely diced fresh shallots, onions or scallions or garlic

Ask yourself -- Do you like spicy?  Savoury?  Mediterranean flavours?
How do you feel about citrus flavours?  It's a very personal proposition + the sky's the limit!!

I like adding "citrus" to vinaigrettes, to fish dishes as well as veggie sides.
I find citrus notes add an additional depth of flavour to many different meals.

I will write this one out for you + share the post with you here..

What do YOU think would make a winning 'gourmet salt' ?
If you would like MORE info re pairing salt and herbs, this article @ Mother Herb News is very detailed.

Whatever you decide to make -- I hope you enjoy it.  Make herb-infused salts.
Elevate your meals + reduce overall salt intake.

yours in great heatlh --  Carol x