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Would you like to take your culinary endeavors to new heights of deliciousness?
I've got quite the deal for you!
I got inspired to make this fabulous Lemon Rosemary Sea Salt a few months ago, after my daughter returned from visiting friends in Italy. She had brought back a few fun gifts, one of them being a jar of Italian sea salt infused with rosemary. It was fantastic sprinkled on just about everything and though I used it sparingly, I was pinching up the last little bit far too quickly. I knew I could probably find this delicious, gourmet salt at some fancy Italian specialty shop but I decided to figure out how to make my own. After a bit of experimenting, I think I’ve got the technique mastered!
We grilled an inexpensive grocery store steak last weekend, nothing special or out of the ordinary . I sprinkled the meat liberally with this Lemon-Rosemary Sea Salt along with lots of freshly cracked black pepper and it was honestly, one of the best steaks I’ve had in quite a while. I’ve scattered it on roasted veggies, chicken, salmon, even on baked potatoes. A pinch as a finishing touch on a soup or sauce is delightful. Rosemary-Lemon Sea Salt also adds a delightful, bursting-with-flavor crunch when scattered on focaccia, baguettes or sandwich rolls just before baking.
But here's the best news: good sea salt can be fairly pricey and though it’s definitely worth the expense, it can be a strain on the grocery budget. This recipe calls for a combination of kosher salt (very cheap) along with the sea salt. The kosher salt is combined with fresh rosemary and lemon zest, then pulsed in the food processor . After it’s perfectly combined, the more expensive, flaky sea salt is added to give wonderful texture and depth of flavor (thus stretching out the more expensive salt while adding fabulous flavor). The final step is a slow roast in the oven to seal in the flavor and dry the rosemary and lemon zest. The result: oh my! Amazing deliciousness that you won’t want to be without ever again!
P.S. If you’re looking for a wonderful gift for your “foodie” friends, throw together a double batch, find some pretty glass jars and fun gift tags or pretty ribbons; I can guarantee you they'll be delighted and will be begging you for the recipe!
- 2 cups kosher salt
- ½ cup fresh rosemary packed
- finely zested lemon peel just the yellow part,from 1 large or two small lemons, finely zested, I like to use one of these zesters for both the lemon and the orange
- 1 ½ cups flaky sea salt I used one 9 ounce box of Maldon Sea Salt which was a bit more than 1 ½ cups.
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Put the rosemary leaves, lemon zest and kosher salt in a food processor. Pulse on and off about 8-10 times, or until the rosemary is blended into the salt, and the salt is similar in texture to table salt (it will be damp and look almost like wet sand). Add the flaky sea salt to a bowl; stir in the rosemary salt mixture and combine thoroughly. Spread out on a baking sheet and bake at 150˚F for 1 hour, stirring once or twice, then transfer to jars with tight fitting lids. Keeps indefinitely.
To use flaky sea salt; keep a small dish of it on your kitchen counter in close proximity to where you cook. Pinch up a small amount, then rub it between your fingers over the food you want to season, crushing the flakes as you rub. Keep the rest stored in an airtight container and replenish your "stash" as needed. Once you start using good sea salt, you'll get very spoiled!
Lizzy Do says
Oh, I am delighted that you reproduced this fantastic salt!!! I am going to use it on our next steaks...it sounds PERFECT!
Blond Duck says
So much better than the canned crap!
Kim Garceau says
Ohhh this salt is so perfect. I looks perfect with everything!!!
Zoe says
This is brilliant! A nice gift idea too 😀
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
How gorgeous! It would make for a perfect Christmas gift! I love the containers. xo
Susan says
Can't wait to get back home to my rosemary bush to try this. Susan
Dining Alone says
This is a great idea, an affordable way to have some gourmet salt options!
The Mom Chef says
Where to find sea salt. I'm grinning. can you tell? This is definitely on my Christmas gifts to make list!
bellini says
How fun that you are able to bring a little bit of Italy into your kitchen without the expense of a flight.
The Café Sucré Farine says
Martha, many larger grocers will carry sea salt flakes. Gourmet-type shops will also have it for sure. Or you could order it. Amazon has it for a decent price - there's a link on this post in the recipe section.
Martha says
I would love to try this! Where would I find the Sea Salt Flakes?
Miriam and Bogdan says
Looks fancy and gourmet, perfect to show off with 😉
Have a nice week 🙂 !
Tricia @ saving room for dessert says
I am a big fan of sea salt and have a garden full of rosemary! All I need now is a beautiful jar. Thanks for this recipe - I love it!
Happier Than a Pig in Mud says
Sounds like a wonderful treat! Thanks for sharing:@)
Anonymous says
So excited to get this recipe...Thank you!! Off to the store to buy sea salt; have an abundance of rosemary in my herb garden. Foodie friends shall receive for Christmas. Judy B. Houston Tx
Hovkonditorn says
It looks great and as you say a nice give-away gift!
Gloria says
Love flavored salts!
The Café Sucré Farine says
The Ketchums, oh thanks, I clarified the recipe! I love it when I have extra eyes to watch over me!:)
The Ketchums says
When does the lemon go in? This sounds so yummy and a great gift idea!
Vicki V @ blestnest.blogspot.com says
Awesome! I've got some fresh rosemary in my garden. Will try!
Wendy Wofford-Garcia says
OMG...this is right up my alley! I can't wait to make this, because I LOVE flavored salts!! Pinned...
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen says
What a fabulous idea!! I simply love this and a great present!! so pretty and I can just imagine the flavor boost you get with this :))
Mary x
Chatty Crone says
This looks great - off to pin it. sandie
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
What a versatile salt, this would make such a lovely gift!
Marina@Picnic at Marina says
Oh it looks fantastic, Chris! And I can smell rosemary and lemon... mmm good! 🙂