Favorite Type of Salt to cook with?

[achilles007]

Hi, all.

Being raised in a very simple family, all we ever relied on was table salt. Just last week I got up the nerve to do as Alton Brown said and opened up a box of Kosher salt and it worked WONDERS for my dishes as far as flavors.

So I'm asking you all, what is YOUR favorite salt to cook with that you stand by to this day?

[TheHuntress]

My stand by, general purpose salt is Maldon sea salt. I use it for everything and I love it's texture as a finishing salt.

[Uncle Bob]

Kosher...
Sea......
Non Iodine......
Pickling.......
Rock........

[Cherylptw]

My mother only had table salt and rock salt for ice cream making in the house (and Epsom salts, but that's another thread)..I use table salt to bake with and kosher salt for the most part to cook with. I also use smoked sea salt, vegetable sea salt (my absolute favorite) and have other finishing salts I like to use...

[nomadchowwoman]

What is vegetable sea salt? Is it different from plain "sea salt"?

[Cherylptw]

It's sea salt with dehydrated vegetable flakes in it...I use it for everything and actually put the rest of my salts on the back burner when ever I can, it's great

[howard1954]

Love vegetable sea salt, but can't seem to get it anymore. Was buying Nature's Selection Vegetable Sea Salt (from Wal-Mart of all places). Any idea where to buy this now in the Boson area?

[SamS616]

I have been hearing about this stuff for the past six from my grandmother for the same reason it was at Walmart and now its not. Have you heard anywhere you can buy Vegetable Sea Salt?

[bushwickgirl]

Kosher for most cooking and sea salt, if needed, to finish. I use non-iodized table salt for pasta or potato cooking water, in an effort to conserve my Kosher. I realize salt is cheap but I'm rather poor these days.

[bushwickgirl]

And due to an uptick in finances in general I now have pretzel (very coarse) salt, coarse grey sea salt, fine sea salt and very fine popcorn salt. I really feel like I've got enough salt in the pantry, but Maldon flake may be added soon.

[laliz]

I use coarse Kosher salt. Don't have any "table" salt in the house

[RetiredChef]

This question can open a can worms

In general this is how I use salts

Regular non-iodine table salt

Baked good where it is dissolved into the dough
Any liquid application (soups, pasta water, sauces, stews, etc.)

Kosher salt

Sautéed, Grilled or roasted items (See next salt for exceptions)

Maldon Sea Salt

My standard finishing salt, also use it on fish and sautéed/grilled boneless chicken.
I find Maldon to be better than Fleur De Sel, it has very flakes, mild taste and a nice crunch. If you haven’t tried Maldon I suggest that you get a box and try it, it’s great stuff.

I also use other finishing salts, but on a much rarer occasion.

[jeremyn]

i use diamond crystal... but I think you've got some serious placebo effect going on. Kosher salt is easier to see, and thus more consistent to cook with. But lets not get carried away.

[Jennalynn]

For cooking and for the table I use Kosher.

But for that last minute perfect garnish, say on some ripe tomatoes with fresh mozzarella, I keep a jar of Fleur De Sel. It's expensive, but since you don't use it a lot or often it's worth having around.

[rainey]

I use Redmond sea salt with natural mineral inclusions. I buy it in table grind and kosher textures.

I'm also a person who likes salt for it's own sake. So I've got a ton of finishing salts. My all time favorite is a smoked salt from Contemporary OceanProducts in Vancouver, BC. It's wonderful because it's not overpowering like most smoked salts and the flakes are the wonderful crunchy geometric ones like Murray River salt that provide texture as well and flavor. COP used to sell from their internet site. They no longer do. I've been teasing out my tiny container for a couple years now. But it can't go on forever. ::shudder::

[elfcook]

I was also raised on table salt (then, even worse, my mom changed to FAKE salt *ugh*). I made the switch to kosher salt years ago and love it. My husband is a heavy salt user, and he adds table salt to most everything, but I think using the kosher while cooking is enough in most cases. It really is a great change from my mom's kitchen, along with real butter and a few other necessities.