Vanilla Bean Sea Salt!

This salt is made with genuine Tahitian Vanilla Beans mixed with a delicate hand-harvested sea salt.

Tahitian vanilla is the name for vanilla from French Polynesia, made with the V. tahitiensis strain. Genetic analysis shows this species is possibly a cultivar from a hybrid-cross of V. planifolia and V. odorata. 
 
Vanilla is the second most expensive spice after saffron, because growing the vanilla seed pods is labor-intensive. Despite the expense, vanilla is highly valued for its flavor and is widely used in both commercial and domestic baking, perfume manufacture and aromatherapy.

The combination of sea salt and vanilla bean accentuates sweet desserts and is also used as a drink rimmer, on fresh fruit, salads, pasta, finishing.

Aged Balsamic Sea Salt!

The word balsamico (from Latin balsamum, from Greek balsamon) means "balsam-like" in the sense of "restorative" or "curative". I like it already....

Only two consortia produce true traditional balsamic vinegar, Modena and neighboring Reggio Emilia. True balsamic vinegar is made from a reduction of pressed Trebbiano and Lambrusco grapes. The resulting thick syrup, called mosto cotto in Italian, is subsequently aged for a minimum of 12 years in a battery of seven barrels of successively smaller sizes. The casks are made of different woods like chestnut, acacia, cherry, oak, mulberry, ash, and, in the past, juniper. True balsamic vinegar is rich, glossy, deep brown in color and has a complex flavor that balances the natural sweet and sour elements of the cooked grape juice with hints of wood from the casks.

Revered by chefs and foodies everywhere, fusing together the rich, concentrated flavor of aged Modena balsamic vinegar with our hand harvested sea salt was a no-brainer. The result is a mouthwatering balance of sweet, sharp, spicy, and salty. 

Try it on a salad with fennel, herbs and tomato, any dish with ricotta cheese, or on sliced pears for a super easy delectable snack. 

Sizzling Bacon and Eggs Finished with Smoked Serrano Sea Salt

This is one of our favorite Sunday morning meals.  Good ole bacon and eggs!  

Extremely tasty, nutritious and elevated if you use fresh pork bacon and pastured eggs from your local farmer.

For an extremely mild heat finish this dish with Smoked Serrano sea salt.  We like our newest sea salt - ghost pepper!  A more intense heat with a slow lingering tingle, but not excessive.  You can control the heat with the amount you sprinkle.

Thai Ginger Sea Salt

Ginger or ginger root is the rhizome of the plant Zingiber officinale, consumed as a delicacy, medicine, or spice. It lends its name to its genus and family (Zingiberaceae). Other notable members of this plant family are turmeric, cardamom, and galangal. Ginger produces a hot, fragrant kitchen spice. Young ginger rhizomes are juicy and fleshy with a very mild taste.

Our Thai Ginger combines the clean simple flavor of sea salt with fresh, juicy ginger. The ginger flavor of this gourmet sea salt blend cannot be matched by powdered or synthetic flavorings. 

Use on grilled veggies, Asian noodles or fish. Great for chocolatiers and pastry chefs alike. 

Sun Ripened Tomato Sea Salt!

The rich tomato flavor in this salt is created by a special process that actually incorporates the whole tomato. This salt literally is a mix of whole tomatoes with our unrefined sea salt derived directly from the living ocean or sea.

Our sea salt is harvested through channeling ocean water into large clay trays and allowing the sun and wind to evaporate it naturally. It contains natural traces of other minerals, including iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, manganese, zinc and iodine. Proponents of sea salt rave about its bright, pure, clean flavor, and about the subtleties lent to it by these other trace minerals.

Our Sun Ripened Tomato Sea Salt will brighten any dish.  Makes an amazing spice rub when mixed with herbs.

Get creative and spice up your next whole, fresh ingredient with the tang of tomato and zip of sea salt!

How to Treat Simple, Fresh, Whole Ingredients

Here at Old City Salts we are passionate about using simple, fresh, whole ingredients that are preferably obtained from your local farmer.

Now just as important as picking a fresh ingredient is how you treat that ingredient.  Pay close attention to how you cook and season each ingredient to keep the integrity of the food.  

There are harsh cooking methods that can degrade the ingredient and minimize the available nutrients.  We do not favor microwaving in any instance and generally avoid high heat cooking.  Several methods that are favorable are: poaching, steaming, baking, simmering, sauteing, roasting and don't forget a lot of vegetables are best served raw!

The next thing to consider when preparing your fine, fresh, local ingredient is what you add to the cooking process.  You do not want to adulterate the product with chemicals, synthetic ingredients and flavors.  A lot of store bought seasonings contain preservatives, msg and other additives that are counter to your fresh whole ingredient.  

Also, pay close attention to the oils you use if sauteing, broiling, roasting etc. because several oils lose their benefit at high heat and can be harmful.  Organic coconut oil can withstand high heat and lends a very subtle flavor.

Old City Salts does believe that every dish deserves the best sea salt!  

As a general rule, you get the most from your food, and from your gourmet sea salt, by using as little salt as possible during cooking, then sprinkling your food with a Finishing Salt at the end.  We have a line of Finishing Salts that add something special when sprinkled on food.  Some of these finishing salts can be used as cooking salts to meld the flavor into the dish.  

A good Finishing Salt has unique mineral, moisture and crystal qualities that play off your food to create more flavor, better texture and new beauty!

Old City Salts is on a mission to promote the use of local, farm fresh, ingredients with simple, whole, fresh sea salts!

Our salts go a long way...you do not need a lot to get the punch and flavor you are seeking.

Spaghetti and Meat Sauce with Sun Ripened Tomato Sea Salt

This was the best bowl of pasta my family has had from their own kitchen!

We are a gluten free household, so we used brown rice pasta, ground beef, and an organic tomato basil tomato sauce.

The dish was 'Simply Elevated' by adding fresh grated Parmesan cheese and of course Sun Ripened Tomato Sea Salt!

Delicious!  We finished the entire bowl!

French Vanilla Ice Cream with Smoked Serrano Sea Salt

Sea salt is known to elevate flavors.  It is absolutely amazing what Smoked Serrano does for french vanilla ice cream.

The french vanilla is totally transformed from it's vanilla like essence and the Smoked Serrano imparts it's light smokiness with berry like notes.  Slight bits of crunch combined with the smooth creaminess is a sensory delight!

It is an elevated, simple dessert!  Add a warm reduction of seasonal fruit for an added dimension!

Homemade Chicken Broth Soup Simply Elevated with Sun Ripened Tomato Sea Salt

I am a huge fan of homemade chicken broth.  

I boil a whole chicken for about an hour, pop the whole chicken in the oven to roast for about 30 minutes to crisp up the skin.  I reserve all the stock water and de-bone the roasted chicken.  Add all bones back into the stock and leave it on low for up to 24 hours.  Add any vegetable trimmings to add additional flavor.

You now have an extremely flavorful, healthy broth to use as your starting base.  I add the reserved cooked chicken, kale (my favorite), onions, avocado, garlic etc.  

Elevate it with a sea salt blend.  My favorite on this one is Sun Ripened Tomato sea salt.  It lends an added punch and crunch!

Beet Radish Fennel Trio Simply Elevated with Vanilla Sea Salt!

Delicate, Pretty, Elegant...Yet Complex!

Looking for a light salad or appetizer prior to a meal?  This salad is bright, light and full of flavor.

Slice the three ingredients in thin round cuts.  Layer them on a plate.  Drizzle with organic olive oil, dot on aged balsamic glaze and finish with vanilla sea salt.

The combo is amazing...a touch of sweetness from the beet, a slight bite from the radish and the licorice infusion from the fennel!  The aged balsamic glaze adds to the sweetness of the beets and the vanilla sea salt brings all flavors together and heightens the trio!

Remember these are simple, whole, fresh ingredients that you can gather from your fridge and put together in seconds.

Toasted Artisan Bread with Parmesan and Sun Ripened Tomato

Warm, toasty, crusty artisan bread lovingly basted with olive oil, fresh grated parmesan cheese and finished with sun ripened tomato sea salt!

It is deliciously satisfying on it's own and a great side to a main meal.

If on it's own make a pool of organic extra virgin olive oil and use this warm toasty bread to dip and sop up all the olive oil goodness.

Honey Basted Smoked Serrano Roasted Chicken

This was a winner in our home!  The perfect combination in a roasted chicken is crispy and flavorful skin!

This was accomplished by roasting and basting with organic butter, raw honey and finished with smoked serrano sea salt as a finishing element!  

The smoked serrano sea salt imparts a very mild heat, slight smoke, under notes of berry and sea salty crunch to counter the sweetness of the honey.

Delicious!

Shrimp Bisque Elevated with Sun Ripened Tomato Sea Salt

I currently reside in Louisiana and they have the best spiced seafood dishes!  I love bisque, but did this recipe without the flour.

Rich and intense shrimp shell stock, heavy cream, butter, pureed sauteed celery, onion and garlic.  I added 1/2 jar of organic marinara sauce, to add a tomato base.  Add fresh local shrimp and serve!

I added a sprinkling of sun ripened tomato sea salt upon serving to intensify all the flavors!  Of course a dash of Louisiana hot sauce...

Yummy....

Aged Balsamic Parmesan Cheese and Crackers

Again...I needed a small bite before bedtime.  Always searching for something small,yet satisfying.

I came up with a couple of slices of aged Parmesan cheese a couple of dots of aged balsamic glaze followed by a sprinkling of aged balsamic sea salt to elevate all the flavors!

I added a few gluten free, wheat free pecan crackers on the side...delicious!  This would also be good with a nice toasted artisan bread.

Sauteed Smoked Serrano Fresh Kale

Kale is my new spinach!  It lasts much longer in the refrigerator, tastes delicious and is more nutrient dense.

Find fresh organic kale (several varieties), saute in coconut oil (or your choice).  I throw in a bit of garlic and portabella mushrooms.

Top with smoked serrano to finish off this side dish.  Make it a meal by adding shrimp, sauteed beef or chicken.

Thai Ginger Cabbage Slaw

This is easy, easy....

Nice head of organic cabbage, purple or green.  Slice thinly and mix with olive oil, lemon juice and finish with Thai ginger sea salt.

Again the crunch and texture of the sea salt enhances the natural flavors of the cabbage....enhancing every bite!

Great as a side or add some grilled shrimp to make it a meal!

Banana and Chocolate Spruced Up with Thai Ginger Sea Salt

Ok, I admit this was a late night indulgence!  Needed a sweet bite of something.  

The chocolate pudding is a homemade version and is thick and healthy.  Yes, healthy...it is made by throwing two medium ripe avocados in a blender along with a cup of unsweetened cocoa and 1/2 cup of honey.  Believe me, it is the best pudding!  

Dollop it over a couple of fresh sliced bananas.  It's decadent, rich and intensified with the Thai ginger sea salt.  

Lemon Baked Fish with Thai Ginger Sea Salt

Dinner tonight was quick, simple, healthy and tasty!

Your choice of fillet of fish seasoned with the juice of one lemon, several pats of unsalted organic butter and topped with lemon rings.

Bake and put it atop sauteed vegetables.  We chose sauteed zucchini and mushrooms.  We finished it with a sprinkle of Thai ginger sea salt!

The lemon, butter and Thai ginger make this dish amazing!

Contributed by www.oldcitysalts.com

Deconstructed Western Omelet with Sun Ripened Tomato Sea Salt

I'm not famous for my egg flipping, turning, folding, etc.

So...introducing the deconstructed western omelet! 

Saute bits of ham, diced onion and peppers till tender.  Scramble and plate the eggs then layer with your saute mixture.  Freshly grated parmesan cheese and perfectly seasoned sun ripened tomato sea salt to provide the extra flavor and crunch!

Pretty looking dish and all the flavors and textures come shining through with each delicious bite.

Contributed by www.oldcitysalts.com

Smoked Serrano Pineapple Tomato Salsa

Game time...and the perfect snack for game time is salsa!

Get the freshest, ripest tomatoes you can find and dice them.  Add cubed juicy pineapple, finely diced onions and a bunch of chopped cilantro.  If you like it hot add diced jalapeno.

Drizzle with olive oil, lemon or lime and a generous amount of smoked serrano sea salt.

Your chips will thank you for it!

Contributed by www.oldcitysalts.com

Sun Ripened Tomato Spaghetti Squash

This is so simple and so delicious!  Not to mention a bit healthy...

Split and roast a large spaghetti squash.  Fork out strands when tender and place in a pan with your favorite tomato sauce to coat and heat.

Plate and top with fresh grated parmesan cheese, drizzle of olive oil and finish with sun ripened tomato sea salt!

My 4 and 5 year old devoured it without hesitation!  I was asked to make it every night...

Contributed by www.oldcitysalts.com

Sun Ripened Tomato Cucumber Salad

Easy side salad that can be added to most main courses.

Cubed cucumber dressed with olive oil, squeeze of lemon, fresh cilantro and finished with Sun Ripened Tomato sea salt.

Cool, crunch and flavor all in one easy side...

(Try this with Thai Ginger and Vanilla for a different flavor profile.)

Grilled Zucchini and Sun Ripened Tomato Sea Salt

We eat a lot of vegetables and it is nice to add a little zip and crunch to our favorite ones.

Pick nice, firm, small organic zucchini and slice in strips. Brush with coconut or olive oil and grill on outdoor grill or stove top cast iron grill pan.

Top with your favorite sea salt!  

Fresh organic sauted spinach

This takes seconds.....Take the best pick of fresh spinach you can find and lightly saute it in your choice of oil.  

Plate it and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with smoked serrano sea salt!

Delicious!

Sun Ripened Ravioli Pasta

This one was for my daughter and I picked this up at the local market.  Fresh ravioli pasta stuffed with ricotta and spinach.  Easy boil for 4-5 minutes and plate with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkling of sun ripened tomato sea salt.

Roasted Potato and Onion

Cut, quarter and toss potato and onion in olive oil or your choice of oil.  Spread on a pan and roast till lightly crispy and brown.  

Arrange on a platter and drizzle with more olive oil and sprinkle with your favorite sea salt blend!  We like:  sun ripened tomato or smoked serrano.