Ina Garten, renowned for her expertise in comfort food and home cooking, emphasizes a common mistake people often make when preparing meals at home: improper usage of salt.
During a visit to her Hamptons kitchen in 2018, the celebrated chef and “Food Network” star invited Bon Appétit to explore her culinary domain. She graciously revealed her essential pantry staples, including favored brands of olive oil, salt, and other frequently utilized ingredients, while also sharing valuable cooking insights.
According to Garten, “The one ingredient that most people use wrong is salt. It holds immense significance in every dish, whether sweet or savory,” as she enlightened Bon Appétit about the significance of salt in culinary creations.
Ina Garten explained that you have to use ‘the right [salt] for the right occasion’
During her conversation with Bon Appétit, Ina Garten revealed her preferred salt choices for cooking. She expressed her fondness for Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt, referring to it as “always perfect.” According to Garten, this particular salt variety excels when used in the actual cooking process. However, she also highlighted the potential for enhancing flavor and texture by garnishing meals with flaky salt.
Garten shared an enticing example, stating, “When I’m brushing the top of a pot pie with egg wash, a little sprinkle of that flaky salt gives it a little crunch. It’s absolutely delicious.” She further explained her preference for finishing touches, mentioning two specific types of salt she turns to.
For such occasions, she opts for Fleur de Sel, a French sea salt known for its delightful brininess, or the Maldon English flake salt, appreciated for its unique characteristics.
Garten added that people often don’t use enough salt or pepper while cooking
In 2019, Ina Garten candidly addressed the prevalent error many individuals make when it comes to seasoning their dishes with salt and pepper, during an interview with The Kitchn. According to Garten, the most common mistake is the insufficient use of these essential seasonings.
Expressing her perspective, she stated, “Most people make the biggest mistake in seasoning with salt and pepper. They don’t use it enough.” She went on to explain the inherent challenge in the phrase “season to taste” often found in recipes. Garten questioned, “But you don’t know what it’s supposed to taste like, so how are you supposed to season it to taste?”
Garten emphasized the transformative power of salt, using an example involving chicken stock. She asserted, “If you have chicken stock that isn’t seasoned well, it tastes like dirty dishwater!” However, by incorporating the appropriate amount of salt, the flavors of the chicken, vegetables, and herbs become pronounced and enhanced, resulting in a far more enjoyable culinary experience.
