Turning Summer Salts into an Ethnic Party

(Gerry Furth-Sides) Salt Rox.  If you’ve ever eaten food prepared on this absolutely beautiful surface that mirrors the look of natural pink quartz you know this is true. We were first introduced to this extraordinary rock at a spectacular party hosted by the  California Restaurant Association as a closing event to a food show years ago.  It was their final one and they “wanted to go all out.”  Glowing, glorious salt rock-covered food stations alone set the party apart even in jaded Los Angeles.  The food stations set with the festive food by Ciudad, the restaurant at the bottom of the escalator, dotted the mile-long lush forested “secret” park right at the edge of  — peek past the “moving tree” performers and the stations came into view as you rode to the top of an escalator took your breath away.

The practical idea, however, is to enhance and season food before and during the cooking process in a natural way. Salination is the process of salt attempting to equalize the sodium content between itself and anything with which it comes in contact.

Surprisingly and importantly, the flavor of Pink Himalayan Salt is much more mild than a processed sodium product. The quantity of trace minerals impart a mild and complex taste. 1.2% sulfur, 4% calcium, .35% potassium, 16% magnesium, along with 80 other trace minerals.  Salination is the process of salt attempting to equalize the sodium content between itself and anything with which it comes in contact.

Pink Himalayan Salt has an extremely low porosity and virtually no residual moisture, thereby providing a small amount of surface area actually contacting your food during the cooking process. While the liquid content of the food does increase the salination process, the mineral content of the salt makes the flavor subtle and well rounded. The salt plates can be safely heated or chilled to great extremes from 0 F to 700 F. Salt melts at 1473.4 F.

An idea that originated in China with the first salt processing, Salt Rox is made in America by a small, family-owned company located in Central Kentucky.   These popular Pink Himalayan Salt Cooking Plates are the only salt plates manufactured to be documented as safe for cooking, grilling and baking. Salt Rox also manufactures, several different sizes of Pink Himalayan Salt Cooking Stones and Poultry Seasoning Eggs.  Pink Himalayan Salt Shot Glasses among their products. In case you’re wondering, shot glass carved of Pink Himalayan salt is in place of a salted rim.

In the words of CEO and expert in the field John Tucker (Tucker), “Our goal is to introduce gourmet products that complement and enhance your cooking and eating experience! We invite you on this journey with us!” To back up his words, Tucker has logged thousands of hours in front of audiences showing people just how it’s done, is always happy to share his knowledge and vast experience with our customers.

Salt has great value throughout history and was a precious and prized commodity to most nations. It was not uncommon to find settlements in the general vicinity of salt springs, and salt was traded as a commodity by many peoples. Both as a preservative and a seasoning, salt is indispensable to great cooking. For more information, please see (www.saltrox.com)

Mark Bittman even wrote an entire book about Salt Block Cooking.

And for a singular, entertaining and enormously educational experience about the history of salt, we suggest Mark Kurlansky’s book, SALT by bestselling author, Mark Kurlansky to reveal the long and intriguing history of this  to the household item. The only rock we eat, salt has shaped civilization from the very beginning, and its story is a glittering, often surprising part of the history of humankind. A substance so valuable it served as currency, salt has influenced the establishment of trade routes and cities — it was a surprise to learn that animals headed to the same salt licks over and over originated trails that became roads.  Salt provoked and financed wars, secured empires, and inspired revolutions. Populated by colorful characters and filled with an unending series of fascinating details, Salt remains a best seller.