Type of salt to use for Indian recipes
I cook lots of Indian food - can I use kosher salt\crystallized sea salt for my curries? I like the way you have more control on how much salt you're adding because of the crystal texture - but ill the salt crystals melt properly? And should I add the salt slowly during the cooking process or atthe end?
Best Answer
You can use Kosher salt or sea salt or even table salt but keep in mind that they are interchangeable by weight NOT volume. Volumetric measurements fail because of different sizes and shapes of salt crystals. Kosher salt crystals are, as you pointed out, larger and end up with larger gaps between the crystals when measured by volume than the smaller table salt crystals that settle together more closely (consider the tiny spaces between grains of sands versus the larger spaces between pieces of gravel). This means that a teaspoon of table salt actually contains more salt than a teaspoon of kosher salt. This means that if your recipe calls for a teaspoon of table salt you will need to use more than a teaspoon of kosher salt. They will dissolve equally well. As to when to add salt, add minimally at first then adjust the salt to taste at the end.
Edited to add: you can find a rough conversion of volumetric measurements of different salts here: http://www.mortonsalt.com/for-your-home/culinary-salts/salt-conversion-chart
Pictures about "Type of salt to use for Indian recipes"
Quick Answer about "Type of salt to use for Indian recipes"
Black salt commonly known as sanchal, kala namak is a pungent smelling, pinkish – grey colored salt extensively used in Indian cuisine.What kind of salt is used in recipes?
Cooking and baking salts typically use table salt, kosher salt or sea salt. Try to follow direction guidelines for type, however, make adjustments for quantity if you modify. It's better to start with less because more can always be added.What type of salt is best for cooking?
The Best Salts For CookingSea salt, Himalayan salt, Kosher salt, and some Specialty salts, are the best salts that you can use when cooking. They're all pretty standard, and very versatile, making them the perfect types to have in your kitchen.Do Indians use salt in their food?
About 10% of the daily salt intake of an Indian occurs naturally in fruit, vegetables, cereal and other raw ingredients, said Johnson. The rest is added during cooking or at the table. So, cutting down involves adding less salt during cooking and on the table.Which Salt to Use?- Kitchen Conundrums with Thomas Joseph
More answers regarding type of salt to use for Indian recipes
Answer 2
Kosher salt is fine. The salt crystals should dissolve without a problem. You should season at the beginning and end of cooking - add salt with, say, the onions and spices, then season to your taste at the end, after any reduction of gravy.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Ketut Subiyanto, Ketut Subiyanto, Ketut Subiyanto, Ketut Subiyanto