Flavor Punches: Peppercorn Salt

A sprinkle of flavored salt can make dishes sparkle.  I’ve got several mixtures in my pantry that I bring out for special touches to meat, seafood or veggies.

Each type of salt (sea, Himalayan, Kosher, fleur de sel, Kosher, etc.) offers its own level of ’saltiness’ or ‘brininess,’ enhancing underlying flavors of food in their own ways.  Even a pinch can turn something bland to wonderful, so experiment to see what you like/don’t like.

A dear friend once gave me Marcona almonds from Golden Isles Olive Oil on Saint Simon’s Island, Georgia.  They were coated in rosemary olive oil, pink peppercorns, rosemary and sea salt, and were so delicious that I almost single-handedly consumed them all in minutes.  That delicious combo of spices is the inspiration for my own flavored salt!

Pink peppercorns make this salt yummy.  If you’ve never had them, they’re actually not peppercorns, they’re dried berries from the Peruvian peppertree, a plant in the cashew family (make note if you have nut allergies). The flavor profile is more delicate than traditional peppercorns, offering heat like that of a chile – sometimes described as ‘feisty,’ with notes of fruitiness and sweetness.

I paired them with rosemary and lemon, offering heat, freshness and earthiness to every bite.

First I dried the zest (a few 30-second intervals in the microwave is all it takes):

Then blended it with salt, rosemary and peppercorns to achieve my desired texture.  I don’t have a mortar and pestle any longer, so I used the handle of my citrus juicer:

Add a pinch to grilled or steamed meats/veggies/seafood just before serving, or stir some into a simmering stew or soup.  Experiment and see how you like to use it!

P.S. also try this flavored salt with calamondin peels (you can substitute orange or mandarin) using an oven-baked method.