Chefs Can’t Shake Salt From Recipes

Natural flavors may be best, but they can still use a little help sometimes - like from salt, for instance.

In a recent survey of celebrity chefs across the country by Diamond Crystal Salt, 99 percent said salt has the potential to “make or break” a recipe.

“If it’s underseasoned, it’s inedible,” said Anita Lo of Mirezi in New York City. “If it’s overseasoned, it’s ruined.”

Two-thirds of the chefs said they use two or more types of salt, typically kosher salt and sea salt. And almost three in four said they never bother to measure when adding salt to a recipe; asked what constitutes a “pinch,” answers ranged from less than 1/8 teaspoon to a full teaspoon.

All of the chefs reported that fewer than 1 percent of diners at their restaurants requested dishes be made without salt.

And what about those people who put salt on their food before they even taste it?

“I want to slap their hands,” said Rick Bayless of Chicago’s Frontera Grill & Topolobampo. Added New York’s Rocco DiSpirito: “It’s like going to an art exhibit with sunglasses on.”

Lentil cases

Have a fondness for small, brown legumes? Recipes are being sought for the 1997 National Lentil Festival Cook-Off, coming up this summer in Pullman.

The cook-off is open to original lentil recipes of all types, in two categories: hot dish and cold dish. Recipes must contain at least cup of raw lentils, or 1 cup cooked.

All entries will be prepared and tasted by a panel of judges, who will select a group of finalists. The winners in each category will be determined by popular vote at the Aug. 23 festival, with both receiving $250 prizes (gift packs also awarded for second and third places).

Entries must be received by Aug. 1. Look for registration forms at Pullman area businesses, or call toll-free to (800) 365-6948.

Contest call

A couple of other recipe contests with deadlines fast approaching:

Steinfeld’s Sauerkraut Recipe Contest - for original appetizer, soup, entree, bread or dessert recipes using Steinfeld’s sauerkraut, winekraut or red cabbage. Grand prize: $250. Entry deadline: July 31. Send entries on regular-sized paper, with name, address and telephone number, to 10001 N. Rivergate Blvd., Portland, OR 97203.

Crisco Great American Cooks Contest - for original “child-pleasing chicken” recipes using a Crisco product. Grand prize: $5,000 cash plus a week’s vacation for four at Disney World. Entries must be received by Aug. 1. For complete rules, call (800) 464-8835.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Drawing of salt shakers

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