Archive for the ‘Cilio Salt Mill’ Category
Whether you consider yourself a seasoned chef or loathe the nights you have to cook, we all want to make delicious fare when we step into the kitchen. And creating succulent food isn’t rocket science, all you need is quality ingredients and to cook the food properly. Some people will douse their food in sauce, butter or oil mistakenly thinking that this is the only way to infuse flavor into the cuisine. In fact, proper seasoning can make any dish tasty, regardless of the cooking process.
No matter if you’re frying, sautéing, grilling or roasting, seasoning your food before you introduce it to the heat source is imperative. This allows the flavors to sear on the outside and permeate deep into the food. The seasonings you choose are largely a matter of personal preference, but will also be dictated by the other dishes on the menu. However, pepper and salt mills are a good place to start for any meal.
If you spend any time whatsoever in the kitchen, you are undoubtedly aware that there are several different types of salt. And while you make think that their differences are negligible, each type of salt is best suited for a particular 
purpose. Here are a few of the most popular types of salt and their recommend usage:
~Table Salt: This is what you will typically find in a Cilio salt mill. Table salt is refined, comprised almost exclusively of sodium chloride.
~Kosher Salt: Because of its large, oddly shaped crystals, kosher salt lends itself well for preparing meat under Jewish law, hence its name.
~Sea Salt: Made by evaporating seawater, this salt contains a greater variation of minerals than its counterparts, lending it a distinctive sea flavor.
According to a new government report, adults should consume less than one teaspoon of salt per day—and in many cases, that number is even lower. However, just 1 in 18 people live up to this stringent standard. Litanies of health risks are associated with high sodium intake, including high blood pressure and heart disease. For most American 
families, the salt mill is a mainstay in the kitchen, so here are a few tips to help reduce your sodium intake:
~Experiment with new spices: Many people use excessive amounts of salt when other spices would actually work better with the dish. Try out new spices in cuisine and also be sure to utilize fresh herbs, which add an extra depth of flavor.
~Avoid seasoning blends: Most seasoning blends are packed with salt in order to cut costs. If you do utilize seasoning blends, be sure to look for low- or no-sodium options.
~Buy low-sodium products: Whether you’re buying chicken stock, soy sauce or peanut butter, always opt for the low sodium option; not only will this cutback on your sodium intake, it also allows you to adjust sodium levels to your liking. Remember: You can always put more salt in, but you can’t take it out.
In many American homes, the pepper and salt mill are the only two seasoning implements you’ll find in the kitchen. These are certainly the two staples of virtually every style of cuisine, but in order to take your culinary creations to the next level, it is necessary to expand your flavor horizons. Incorporating new herbs and spices into your dishes will enhance the flavor without adding fat, sodium or empty calories.
If you don’t know what spices complement certain foods, there are dozens of online resources that can be used to generate ideas. Once you have an understanding of how certain spices and herbs taste and meld with one another, you can experiment on your own. Combining flavor profiles from different styles of cuisine is a great way to add your own unique flair to your cooking.
Even the most inept cook has the capability to make pasta. In its most basic form, all the process entails is simply boiling a pot of water and adding pasta. But as anyone with any culinary prowess will tell you, cooking a top-tier plate of pasta is a well-refined art.
First, always use your Cilio salt mill to season the water liberally, as this is your only opportunity to add flavor to the pasta itself. If the water looks like it may boil over during the cooking process, add a little oil to the pot in order to raise the boiling point. Many people overcook their pasta because they neglect to realize that the pasta will continue to cook even after it is removed from the water. You want the pasta to have a little bite to it, known as al dente, so that it won’t become squishy as it continues to cook.
Anyone who has taken a basic chemistry class can tell you the simple molecular structure of salt: NaCl. And while it may not seem like there is much room for differentiation, there are a variety of salts found in salt mills around the globe. Here are some of the most common:
Table Salt: Likely the most widely used salt in America, table salt is refined and then has other chemicals added. In addition, the salt often goes through iodization, which creates iodized salt.
Kosher Salt: This salt is made from evaporated brine, and to truly be kosher, it must meet specific guidelines set forth in the Orthodox Jewish religion.
Sea Salt: One of the most expensive salts, sea salt is made from evaporated seawater. It is prized for its depth of natural flavor and coarseness, which makes it ideal for savory dishes.
Here’s a linguine recipe with a little extra salmon kick! While you can use charred, cooked, or baked salmon, smoked 
salmon tends to work best with this recipe.
Ingredients:
~8 oz. uncooked linguine pasta
~3 tbsp. melted butter
~3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
~1 tbsp. ground pepper
~2 tbsp. sea salt
~8 oz. smoked salmon
Directions:
First, you will want to cut your smoked salmon into bite-sized chunks. Over medium-high heat, cook your linguine pasta until it is soft, then drain and return to the pan to keep it warm. Add the butter and olive oil, and toss your pasta; season with pepper and a few cracks from one of your salt mills. Then add the salmon chunks and toss again. Plate the pasta and serve with pepper and salt as desired.
Here is an excellent recipe for cranberry rice pudding; a sweet treat that isn’t too fattening.
Ingredients:
1 cup uncooked medium grain rice
1 ½ cups water
2 tablespoons of orange peel
½ cup dried cranberries
¼ teaspoon salt from a salt mill
3 cups milk
1/3 cup sugar
Directions:
Combine rice, water, orange peel and salt in a saucepan. Heat until boiling, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat, cover the saucepan, and let simmer 15 minutes or until liquid is gone. Removing the cover, increase the heat to medium-high and add sugar, milk, and dried cranberries. Heat until boiling, stirring often. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cook until thick and creamy, 25 or so minutes, stirring occasionally. Wait to cool before eating.
Many people scour through supermarket shelves in search of products with low or no sodium, and with good reason. Too much sodium in a diet can cause dehydration and contribute to a myriad of health problems. However, there is another explanation as to why many people—including top chefs—prefer to stock their pantry and refrigerator with salt-free products.
Whether you’re baking, simmering, roasting or grilling, it is important to be able to control the salt content of your dishes, both for nutritional and flavor purposes. As the saying goes, “you can always add more, but you can’t take it out.” To that end, purchasing low or no salt products allows you to utilize your Cilio salt mill to achieve the perfect combination of seasonings.
We all have those memories of arriving home from school just in time to taste those fresh-baked cookies mom made. Just the smell of baking cookies can bring you back to those childhood times. The first thing many of us did when we got home was to reach in the cookie jar to see if mom had made any treats. Store-bought cookies never taste as good as the ones made by a mom. Why not start baking your own homemade treats to share with friends and family? Many cookie recipes offer that homemade taste without the fuss. Here is a simple 
recipe for oatmeal cookies that you start with:
Traditional Oatmeal Cookies
~ ½ cup butter
~ ½ cup white sugar
~ ½ cup brown sugar
~ 1 egg
~ ½ tsp. vanilla
~ 1 cup flour
~ ½ tsp. baking powder
~ ½ tsp. baking soda
~ ½ tsp. salt from one of your salt mills
~ ¾ cup rolled oats
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together the butter and sugars. Blend in egg and vanilla. Then stir in the dry ingredients until well blended. Roll into balls and place on greased cookie sheets. Bake for 12 minutes or until lightly golden brown.