Cellar Talk

Ghostly Recipe Ideas to Heat Up Your Halloween Party Halloween is a fun time for parties and get-togethers with friends. Whether you go all-out with costumes and decorations or decide on just a simple gathering, these recipe ideas will help bring the spirit of the holiday to the table. 

As the days in the northern hemisphere are getting shorter, and winter closes in, we begin to search for foods that keep us warm and help us adjust to the falling temperatures and shorter days. We thought we’d take a look at our Icelandic sea salts and traditional recipes of the land. These are some of our most popular salts, and what better way to try them out than with some traditional Icelandic comfort foods.

Salted Caramel Recipes to Complete your Fall Deserts

Fall brings vibrant foliage, cooler days, warm sweaters, and delicious comfort foods that help us settle into the new season. With its warm, orange color and delicious buttery flavor, caramel is one flavor that welcomes the season like no other. In our recipes below, we’ve used our Sweet Tooth Trio to give some old-time fall favorites a new twist.

Think football, and tailgate parties most likely come to mind as well. Fall is a great time to get together with family and friends, and whether your party destination is at a stadium, or simply in your backyard, our quick and easy recipe ideas will score a touchdown with all of your guests. We’ve taken staple tailgating foods, and elevated them to a whole new level of flavor with our Salt Cellar Tailgate Trio.

Summer passes in the blink of an eye. Before this glorious season slips away, why not celebrate with friends and family. We’ve put together a few simple and delicious recipes, using some Salt Cellar gourmet sea salt favorites to get you started. Our make-ahead Fridge pickles and slow-cooker pulled pork are perfect for Labor Day weekend, or any end of summer gathering, and leftovers (if there are any!) make a perfect back to school lunch. 

Whether you follow a Ketogenic or Paleo diet, or simply a healthy eating plan, avocados and eggs are a great source of nutrition. You might be thinking- how can I add flavor to my avocados and eggs? Our team at Salt Cellar has a tasty solution for you- simply add our Sriracha-Infused Sea Salt! This will add a touch of gourmet seasoning which will transform your ordinary egg and avocado breakfast into a healthy yet extraordinary treat.

Ahh Summer… warm, sunny days at the beach means glowing skin and maybe even wavy hair from days in the sun and salt water. Did you know that taking care of your skin in the Summer is just as important as it is in the Winter? Since Summer passes by all too quickly, and you probably wish you could bottle it up and make it last long after your beach vacation ends, we have a few skin tips and hair tips for you to keep your glowing skin last all season long!

Ahhh summer! Long, lazy days by the ocean, barbecues, vacation time with family and friends. Sound familiar? Maybe you’ve been dreaming about it, but the reality is, you still have to work, cook, clean, and manage a household. Finding time for fun in the sun is not always easy, but you can still enjoy the sun and the benefits of this wonderful, however short season. With a little care, your skin will soak up the warm weather and stay healthy too. 

Avocado and Sriracha Toast

Avocado toast is healthy, filling, quick, easy, and delicious. It’s great for any time of the day including breakfast, lunch, or an afternoon snack. One of our favorite breakfast recipes is avocado toast with our Sriracha Sea Salt sprinkled on top. This gourmet sea salt is a favorite amongst avocado breakfast chefs because it adds just the right touch of spice. This will bump up your recipe a few notches from “good” to “let’s make it everyday!” Ingredients:

• Sourdough or your favorite toast
• Avocado spread
• Spring lettuce leaves
• Cilantro
• Radishes
• Sesame seeds
• Salt Cellar Sriracha Infused Sea Salt

Simply toast your bread to your liking, spread the avocado, top with other ingredients and sprinkle Salt Cellar Sriracha Infused Sea Salt to taste. Share and enjoy!

Think spring vegetables and few come to mind ahead of asparagus. This stalky green is packed with vitamins and minerals, and gets an A+ for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Factor in its versatility and, who wouldn’t make asparagus the star of an annual spring dinner party or simple weeknight meal? Add your favorite Salt Cellar finishing salt for a gourmet touch, and sit back and wait for the compliments. We’ve provided a little inspiration here to get you started with an appetizer, a simple side dish and a quick and easy weeknight dinner idea to celebrate spring with this delicious, tasty veggie. Appetizer: Prosciutto- Wrapped Jalapeño Pepper Sea Salt Asparagus Bottom of Form A spicy blend of all natural sea salt and real jalapeño peppers, our Jalapeño Sea Salt works perfectly as a dry substitute for hot sauce and delivers just the right kicked tucked inside these prosciutto-wrapped asparagus. Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil Bunch of fresh asparagus (16 spears) 16 slices Prosciutto Salt Cellar Jalepeno Pepper Finishing Salt.

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and coat with olive oil.
• Sprinkle asparagus with Jalapeño Pepper Finishing Salt
• Wrap one slice of prosciutto around each asparagus spear, starting at the bottom, and spiraling up to the tip. Place the wrapped spears on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake for 5 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove, and shake the pan back and forth to roll the spears over. Return to the oven for another 5 minutes, or until asparagus is tender, and prosciutto is crisp. Serve immediately

Side Dish: Asian-Grilled Asparagus with Szechuan Infused Sea Salt This citrusy, spicy sea salt is made with real Szechuan peppers, which grant a uniquely heated flavor. A commonly used flavoring in Chinese, Tibetan, Nepali, and Indian cuisines, our Szechuan Pepper Salt is perfect with turkey chili, on noodles, and with a variety of meat dishes and is the perfect pairing for our Asian-Grilled asparagus. Ingredients 1 bunch of asparagus trimmed 1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce 1 Tablespoon Sesame Oil Salt Cellar Szechuan Infused Sea Salt

1. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
2. Grill asparagus on preheated grill until they turn bright green and have grill marks, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to baking dish.
3. Whisk soy sauce and sesame oil together in a bowl; pour over cooked asparagus. Marinate in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
4. Sprinkle with Szechuan Infused Sea Salt and serve

Weeknight Dinner: White Pizza with Asparagus and Cyprus Flake Sea Salt Stark white and pyramid-shaped, our Cyprus Flake Salt is as stunning as it is flavorful. Perfect for use in a salt grinder - or even simply crushed with your fingers - this finishing salt pairs well with every dish needing a subtle kick. We’ve paired it with our white pizza to bring out the natural flavors in this delicious pie. Ingredients:

• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 bunch asparagus, tough ends trimmed
• Pre-made pizza crust
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt Cellar Cyprus Flake Sea Salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F with a rack in the upper third. Place a pizza stone in the oven to preheat.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the ricotta and minced garlic. Set aside.
3. Place the dough to the hot pizza stone. Spread the ricotta mixture over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust. Top with the shredded mozzarella and parmesan, and then lay the asparagus spears over the cheese.
4. Bake the pizza until the crust is deeply brown, the asparagus is tender, and the cheese is browned and bubbly, about 15 minutes.
5. Sprinkle with Cyprus Flake Sea Salt
6. Let the pizza cool slightly before slicing. Serve hot.

Whether you keep up with the Kardashian’s or not, you probably couldn’t help but notice eldest sister Kourtney in the news recently. Ms. Kardashian paid a visit to congress with the Environmental Working Group (EWG) in support of legislation sponsored by Senators Dianne Feinstein of California, and Susan Collins of Maine. The legislation introduced the Personal Care Products Safety Act to protect consumers’ health and create uniform safety rules for companies by strengthening the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authority to regulate the ingredients in personal care products. Safety rules for personal care products have not been updated since 1938. In light of the pending legislation, and our own commitment to all-natural ingredients, we thought it was a great time to take a closer look at our lineup of safe, gentle, and effective skin care products. We’ll look at some of our ingredients and how they work, as well as some ingredients we steer clear of for all of our products. Healthy Living Inside and Out The health benefits of natural foods has never been clearer. If you’ve made a change to a healthier diet, you know how good it can make you feel. Once you’ve committed to a healthier lifestyle with what you put IN your body, it only follows that you also consider what you put ON your body as well. While research is somewhat limited, some studies indicate that approximately 80% of lotions, sunblock, and oil enter our blood stream within 26 seconds. Think about the transdermal nicotine patch and Nitroglycerine patches and you can see the effectiveness of delivering substances through the skin into the body. Where to Begin It can be complicated to scrutinize your entire skincare routine, so a general rule of thumb is to pay closest attention to products used in the following ways:

1. Anything you soak in such as bath salts or bubble bath
2. Anything you apply and do not wash off, such as lotion, face and body creams, and oils
3. Shampoo and conditioner. Even though you wash it off, it often makes its way over your entire body while you’re using it.

Because the natural oils in your skin help keep you moisturized, using a natural cleanser that removes impurities, but doesn't strip your skin of its natural oils is essential. Start with our Mild Exfoliating Facial Cleanser. It is rich in Dead Sea minerals and Vitamin C. It gently cleans, moisturizes, and rejuvenates your skin. It is formulated with Chamomile extract to soften and calm, and the mild exfoliating scrub is effective but not abrasive, and leaves skin looking and feeling radiant. Our Mighty Minerals Explained Dead Sea Salt contains around 20 minerals and trace elements, most of which promote good health within our bodies. These six provide great benefits for healthy skin as well, and are found in our Salt Cellar Bath & Spa Products.

• Magnesium promotes healing of skin tissue, soothes damaged skin, and protects skin from microbes that cause allergies.
• Sulfur is a natural disinfectant and detoxifies the body.
• Calcium promotes cell renewal, enhances hydration, and helps to prevent wrinkles & fine lines.
• Bromide relieves muscle cramps, calms nerves, and repairs skin cells.
• Potassium replenishes moisture, reduces puffy skin, and helps to reduce water retention.
• Sodium relieves stiff & sore muscles, exfoliates dead cells, and detoxifies skin.

All-Over Clean The minerals in Dead Sea salts help relieve symptoms of psoriasis, acne, itching, rashes, bug stings, eczema and other skin conditions. Our Dead Sea Soaps are naturally rich in minerals and trace elements from the Dead Sea. They gently remove dirt and impurities while restoring your skin's natural balance without relying on harsh chemical agents. Black Mud is a good choice for gently drying oily skin, while seaweed is good for oily/combination skin. Sulphur helps with skin issues such as psoriasis, and eczema, and Dead Sea Salt is a good all-around cleanser. Make Way for Moisture Our Body Butters combine Shea Butter, Dead Sea minerals, and natural oils that soften and revitalize your skin. The thick formula moisturizes rough skin and revives its elasticity without clogging pores. Rich in vitamins A and E, it's ideal for treating dry skin, cracked elbows and knees, scars, and dermatitis. Choose from kiwi, mango, lemon, or vanilla for a touch of aroma therapy to go along with your natural skin care routine. Naturally Great for Him and Her! Our all-natural shave cream and after shave combo is ideal for all skin types. Our shave cream is a rich blend of Dead Sea minerals and natural extracts. It delivers a smooth and comfortable shave with a light, clean scent. It’s great for faces and legs alike, so share and enjoy the results together! Our Aftershave Balm soothes razor burn and leaves skin smooth, supple, and well protected. Stay Away! We’ve explained what we use in our products and why. Parabens are a group of ingredients you’ll be glad we DON’T use. Parabens are chemicals which are used to extend the shelf life of cosmetics and other products. Commonly used parabens are methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben. According to an article by by Karen Eisenbraun for livestrong.com, Parabens are known to reduce sperm levels, cause breast cancer, and trigger early puberty. We are proud to say we do not use parabens in any of our products. Wrap It Up! While you make decisions about the food you and your family eat and the products you use every day, it’s nice to know you can take some of the guesswork out of making healthy skin care choices by incorporating Salt Cellar all-natural spa products without sacrificing the results you are looking for.

When it comes to pairing food and wine, methods range from the most basic to the scientific. Red wine with red meat and white with fish is a simple rule, and leaves the details to personal preference. Francoise Chartier, in his book Taste Buds and Molecules: The Art and Science of Food, Wine, and Flavor, moves the process all the way to the molecular level. Somewhere in-between the two methods, you’ll find a variety of rules and advice for pairing. We’ll take a look at a few here, offer some suggestions from a local wine shop, and share some simple recipes to help you pull it all together. Start With the Basics Wine get its flavor from components such as sugar, acid, fruit, tannin and alcohol. The basic food tastes are sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and savory, also known as umami. Pairing food and wine with similar or contrasting components is key to successful pairing. While there are no hard-and-fast rules for pairing, some rules of thumb help to simplify the process. Have fun and don’t be afraid to try something new. You never know what flavor combinations will please your palette. Ask an Expert We reached out to local wine shop owner, Rick Meyerkopf. Rick and his wife Robin Lurie-Meyerkopf are co-owners of South Street & Vine in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. A local shop can take the mystery out of pairing, and help you find the perfect bottle for your next dinner party or quiet dinner for two. Meyerkopf offered pairing suggestions for our recipes below. Black Truffle Salted Steak For our steak dinner, Meyerkopf suggested Tres Picos Garnacha from Spain. It is fermented in both oak and steel and aged in French oak prior to being bottled. “Lots of fruit such as black currant and cherries, big and bold. This selection pairs well with a juicy steak,” says Meyerkopf. We’ve seasoned our steak with Salt Cellar Black Truffle Salt and black pepper. Keeping the ingredients simple allows the natural flavor of the steak and truffle salt to blend to perfection. Ingredients 2 thick cut steaks 2 Tsp Salt Cellar Black Truffle Salt 1 Tsp coarse black pepper 1 Tbsp unsalted butter Instructions

• Preheat grill to medium high heat. Spray with cooking spray
• Season the steaks with 1/2 teaspoon of black truffle salt on each steak, then sprinkle black pepper
• Grill for 3-4 minutes on each side. After steaks are done cooking, top each steak with 1/2 teaspoon of butter and sprinkle with remaining truffle salt
• Let rest for 5 minutes, slice and serve

Grilled Swordfish with Rosemary Salt A simple pairing rule for acidic food is that if you squeeze a lemon or lime on your food, pair it with a wine that is at least as acidic as the food, or the wine will taste bland. For our fish dinner, Meyerkopf suggested Pine Ridge. “It’s a blend of Chenin Blanc and Viognier from California, dry and crisp, and great with Seafood.” This marinade can be used on any fish that can stand the heat of the grill. Tuna, Salmon, and Snapper also work well. Ingredients: 3 Swordfish Steaks 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil 2 Tbsp. Lemon Juice 2 Tsp. Salt Cellar Rosemary Infused Sea Salt 1/4 Tsp. Black Pepper 1 Heaping Tsp. Minced Garlic 1 tsp. chopped parsley Instructions

• Heat grill, Spray grill with cooking spray or brush with oil to prevent sticking
• While grill is heating make marinade.
• Mix olive oil, lemon juice, rosemary infused sea salt, pepper, garlic and parsley and stir.
• Place swordfish steaks on grill.
• Spread half of the marinade on top of the swordfish steaks and grill over hot heat 5-10 minutes.
• Cover grill.
• Turn steaks over and brush with remaining marinade.
• Cover grill again and grill fish another 5-10 minutes or until fish flakes easily with fork.

Icelandic Arctic Thyme Roasted Chicken Chicken can be paired with either red or white wine, so the flavor of the sauce or other ingredients will determine the best wine. For our roasted our chicken, Rick suggests a Block Nine Pinot Noir. Meyerkopf explained, “Caiden’s Vineyards of California focus on one grape and produce one terrific wine - Pinot Noir. Soft and subtle this wine works really well with all types of chicken dishes.” Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons Salt Cellar Arctic Thyme Sea Salt
• 1 ¹⁄₂ teaspoons black pepper
• 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
• 3 pound roaster chicken, rinsed inside and out and patted dry with paper towel
• 1 whole lemon, pierced several times with a fork
• 4 cloves garlic
• 3 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

Directions

• Mix the salt and pepper
• Place the chicken on a rack in a roasting pan
• drizzle olive oil and rub the mixture all over the skin
• Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Put the whole lemon and garlic cloves inside the cavity of the chicken
• Roast, basting every 20 minutes or so with any fat and juices accumulating in the pan
• Chicken should be done in about an hour, but make sure by testing the thigh for a temperature of 170 degrees F.
• Let the chicken rest for at least 10 minutes before carving