Himalayan Salt Block for Cooking

I’m sure you’ve seen the “Himalayan salt Block” trend popping up in social media feeds and blogs lately. It seems like everyone has a new recipe for cooking with salt block and the benefits are many. But what exactly is this Himalayan salt block for cooking? And why is it so special.

Himalayan Salt Block for cooking is a relatively new idea. It’s not just for the foodies. People are experimenting with this method because it’s a fun, different, and healthy way to prepare and serve food.

In this post we describe what you can do with Himalayan salt and how it can improve your cooking experience. We also discuss the benefits of using Himalayan salt block for cooking and everything you need to know about himalayan salt products.

What is Himalayan Salt Block?

The Himalayan pink salt blocks are made from pure Himalayan salt. The salt is hand-picked, washed and dried before it is put in a machine to make the blocks. The blocks are then cut into different shapes and sizes. The salt tiles are usually used in the kitchen and are great for curing, chilling and presenting food. You can also use them to make steaks and bake cookies. Himalayan Salt block for cooking tiles adds a unique flavor to your food.

Himalayan salt, also known as “King of Salts is an excellent source of trace minerals that help to keep the body healthy. Himalayan Salt block for cooking helps to fight off diseases such as arthritis, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. It is a great addition to your diet. It helps to boost your immune system and is a great source of magnesium. Magnesium helps to keep your muscles and bones strong. It also helps to improve your mood.

Himalayan salt retains high heat for a very long period. Salt block can be heated in the oven or on the stovetop and used to cook food. You can make attractive platters with Himalayan salt tiles that make visually interesting presentations for various hot or cold dishes.

What Foods can be cooked on Himalayan Salt Tile?

Himalayan salt block for cooking are ideal for preparing and serving a variety of foods. Salt tiles have efficient heat conductivity, which makes them perfect for baking and grilling foods like meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, fresh fruit, and vegetables.

After testing and trying many salt blocks in the market, we have listed 3 best available salt blocksfor you to choose from:

You can also Himalayan salt cooking tiles to bake cookies, pizzas, and other baked goods.

When it comes to serve and prepare chilled food, Himalayan salt blocks can be used for this purpose too. You can simply chill the Himalayan salt cooking tile and use it to serve cold dishes and desserts like sushi, cheese, meat, fruits, custard, ice cream, or sorbet.

How to use Salt Block for Cooking? Safety Tips

Cooking on tile is easy and simple but there are few tips you need to know before starting.

1.      Start with Dry Salt tile:

Before using the Himalayan salt block for cooking, ensure that block is completely dry. If there is moisture in it, the block could crack or get damaged when heated.

2.      Heat Himalayan salt tile slowly:

 It’s not a good idea to heat your salt block too fast because it might crack. To prevent this, it’s best to raise the oven temperature by no more than 200℉ (93℃) and if needed, do it every 15 minutes.

3.      Preheat cooking tile before using it in Oven:

It’s a good idea to preheat your block on a grill or stovetop before placing it in the oven because heating it directly in the oven increases the chance of cracking.

4.      Handle Hot cooking block with care:

Himalayan Salt blocks can get really hot and stay hot for several hours. Handle them with care. When cooking in the oven, it’s always a good idea to use high heat-resistant oven mitts, as they’ll protect your hands from getting burned. If you don’t have high heat resistant mitts, use a carrying rack because regular mitts won’t work with hot salt tiles.

5.      No water:

Don’t submerge your Himalayan salt cooking tile in water and allow your salt block to cool completely naturally. It will dissolve your block, so it’s best to clean your block with a damp sponge. Stubborn stains or food remains can be easily scrubbed by using a scrubbing pad or even soft brush.

6.      Changes are normal:

Heating causes changes in salt block, it may change color and may form small cracks in it. But always make sure to cook on the same side, to keep cracks from getting worse.

7.      Avoid Fats:

Don’t use fats when baking or roasting food on your Himalayan salt block as it can reduce the lifespan of block.

Uses of Himalayan Salt Block in Cooking:

Himalayan salt block for cooking are versatile and useful, and when used correctly, they’ll be a game-changer in your kitchen.

Himalayan Salt Block Grill

Make sure you are using dry salt tile and not a very high temperature. Once you placed your Himalayan salt tile on a stovetop or outdoor grill, slowly raise the temperature until it reaches approximately 500℉ (260℃). To check if the cooking tile is ready to use or not, use infrared thermometer. If infrared thermometer is not available, you can simply do a water test, sprinkle a few drops of water and if they evaporate immediately or sizzle, your Himalayan salt cooking tile is ready to use.

The best way to grill food is to put food directly onto the heated salt tile. To flip or turn the food, use a pair of silicone tongs or metal cooking utensils. Ingredients that cook fast work best on salt block because the longer food remains on the grill, the saltier it’s likely to get.

If you want to use your Himalayan salt block on electric stove, you need to place a metallic ring over the burner for holding salt tile. Our team of researchers have also tested popular salt block safety equipment and brought the best in the market for you:

Foods that can be cook and serve on Himalayan salt cooking tile include Thinly sliced beef or veal, Chicken, duck or other poultry, Scallops, shrimp, prawns, shellfish, Fish filets, Vegetables such as broccoli, zucchini, asparagus and Eggs.

Baking – Heat A Himalayan Salt Block Before

To avoid cracking of block in oven, heat a salt block on stovetop or using a charcoal grill before. Place the salt block on a baking sheet, add your pizza, cookies, scones or any other baking good on it, and place the block on middle rack of oven. Baking instructions are same as usual and salt block will add a nice salty flavor to your baked goods.

Chilling

Resting or chilling foods in the fridge on a Himalayan salt block will add a subtle salty flavor to them. You can chill Sushi, Salads, Cold appetizers, Fruits & vegetables, Cheese, Cold dips, Cured meats, Shellfish, Ice cream, sorbets and other desserts on salt tile .

Use as Serving Platter for Cold Foods

To serve cold foods on Himalayan salt cooking tile, leave the block to cool in refrigerator 2 hours before using. Once it is chilled, add Sushi, Salads, Fruits & vegetables, Cheese, Cold dips, Ice cream, sorbets or any other food you want to serve. In order to prevent your cold serve food from getting salty, limit the contact area of food and salt tile by placing small side of food on cooking tile.

Use Himalayan Salt Blocks for Curing

Salt tile is one of the best options to cure fish and meat, either fully cure or partial cure. Once you place the food over salt tile, curing process will start, and on Himalayan salt tile, you can cure everything from slightly cured salmon to beef jerky.

You can cook a huge number of recipes using Himalayan salt block for cooking, A Book by Mark Bitterman: Himalayan Salt Block for Cooking

Himalayan Salt Block Steak

Himalayan Salt Block Steak is a unique way of cooking cuts of meat, especially steak. The salt block is heated to a high temperature, and the steak is then placed directly onto the salt.

The heat of the block cooks the steak quickly, and it is up to the cook to determine the desired doneness. The temperature of the block also imparts a subtle salt flavor to the meat, making it a flavorful and unique meal option.

It is recommended to heat the block slowly, to avoid any cracking or damage, and to let the block cool completely before cleaning. The Himalayan salt block is a great way to add a new twist to familiar cuts of meat and impress dinner guests.

Himalayan Salt Block Benefits

1.     Enhanced Flavor of Food:

Himalayan salt is used by top chefs as gourmet salt but if you are cooking on Himalayan salt cooking tile, you can skip this step because cooking tile will add the taste to your dish and enhance the flavor of food being cooked.

Due to additional mineral content, Himalayan salt tile adds a very nice texture to your food and give you the exact amount of sodium content. You can also skip adding regular table salt because it will make your food over salty.

2.     Additional Nutrients:

Himalayan salt contains 98 percent of the same element found in table salt. The remaining 2% is comprised of the minerals, sulfur, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and iron. These minerals and other components add to the flavor as well as nutritional content. Read More: HEALTH BENEFITS OF PINK SALT

 3.     Safest Material for Cooking:

Commonly used materials for cooking and storing food are aluminum and plastic. Both of them are said to have harmful impact on human health, plastic is way more harmful than aluminum. Whereas Himalayan salt is one of the purest salt on earth and only contains minerals and nutrients, this makes Himalayan Salt cooking tile one of the safest material for cooking.

4.     Maintains pH Balance:

Sodium content of Himalayan Salt is less than regular table salt. Due to low sodium content, Himalayan salt regulates the normal pH of blood and doesn’t change the pH of food being cooked.

5.     Mineral Booster:

Himalayan salt has additional minerals in it which makes it a source to release your muscle tension and regulate your blood flow. Also due to its old presence, Himalayan salt have absorbed the high potential energy from the Sun and the Earth, so it acts as natural mineral booster when food is cooked over it.

6.     Combat Unwanted Bacteria:

Himalayan salt has high anti-bacterial properties and that’s why it is added to foods to increase their shelf life. Using Himalayan salt block as cooking surface activates its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties which can kill any unwanted bacteria from food and provide you safe and healthy cooked food.

7.     A Better Presentation of Food:

The way you present your food says much about food and even you. Better presentation adds to the aesthetics of food, and that’s why top restaurants and chefs around the world are using Himalayan Salt tiles for serving salty and chilled food. Beautiful pink color and texture of Himalayan salt cooking tile adds to the overall taste of dish and makes it a wonderful experience.

8.     Retains Heat for long time:

Himalayan salt has good conductivity for heat and retains heat for long time once it is heated. This property makes it best to serve dishes like steak and cooked fish because it will keep the food warm for long time without reheating it in oven. Your salt block will retain heat and food will stay warm.

Himalayan Salt Block Care and Cleaning:

• To clean your Himalayan salt tile, wipe it with a damp cloth or paper towel and remove any remaining food.

• Don’t put your salt tile under running water or submerge it in water before using it. This could make the salt brittle and crack when heated for cooking or serving.

• It’s important to let your salt slab dry out for at least 24 hours after exposure to any moisture.

• Himalayan salt slabs are antifungal and anti-microbial and there’s no need to use soap or detergent on them.

• You can refresh your salt tile with lemon juice but don’t do it every day.
• You’ll see that the appearance of your Himalayan salt block may changes over time. Over time, your salt plate will show a variety of interesting colors and shades.
• It may also develop small fissures and cracks over time, especially if it gets a lot of use.
• Once the salt tile gets too small for cooking, it makes the perfect size to grate over your food, use for making soup, or to toss in a tub for a detoxifying salt bath.

Why Did My Salt Block Explode?

If your salt block has exploded, it is likely due to improper heating techniques. Salt blocks are designed to be heated gradually and evenly, with a recommended preheat time of approximately 30-40 minutes on a low heat setting.

If you heat your block too quickly or at too high of a temperature, the moisture trapped within the salt can turn to steam and cause the block to expand and ultimately break. Additionally, if the block has any cracks or fissures, heating it too quickly can cause these weak spots to expand and ultimately lead to the block exploding.

To prevent this from happening again, ensure that you properly preheat the salt block and use a low heat setting. It’s also important to inspect your block for any cracks or fissures before heating to avoid any potential explosions.

Using a Salt Block for the First Time

Using a salt block for the first time can be a bit daunting, but it’s a great way to add flavor and depth to your cooking. Before using your salt block, it’s important to season it properly.

Place it in a cold oven and set heat on low. Gradually increase the temperature over the course of an hour or two until it reaches around 400°F. Once block heats up, allow it to cool completely before handling it.

To use your salt block, simply place it over a heat source, such as a grill or stove, and let it heat up. Then, add your food directly to the block to cook. The natural saltiness of the block will infuse your dish with flavor while adding a subtle hint of saltiness.

Cooking on your salt block can spice up your cooking process, including meat, seafood, cooking vegetables, and even use as a cold serving for desserts. With a bit of practice and experimentation, using your salt block can become a favorite cooking tool.

How to use Himalayan salt block for body

The salt block can be used as a natural deodorant as it helps to kill odor-causing bacteria. For future use, it is important to clean and dry the block thoroughly before storing it in a dry place. It is also important to note that if a salt block crack occurs, it should not be used for body care as it may harm the skin.

For massage, gently rub the warmed salt block on the desired area in circular motions. This will help to promote blood circulation and relax muscles. With proper care, a Himalayan salt block can be a useful addition to any body care routine.

Final Words:

Making food on Himalayan salt tile is fun and makes your cooking experience interesting. It provides extra nutrition and has multiple benefits but if you are using it regularly, you should monitor your sodium intake and prevent from adding extra salt in your food because it can add saltiness.

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