Food & Wine Magazine has an article in its latest issue on the question of whether meats should be salted before they are cooked. There are few issues that are as controversial in the area of cooking. Some cooks are convinced that if you pre-salt meat, it will dry out. Others think that pre-salting greatly enhances the flavor. Harold McGee, the food scientist author of On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen, for his part, states that while lots of salt will dry meat, “the small amount of salt used to season food has a hydrating effect: Salt helps the cells hold on to water”
But that’s all theory. What’s actually the truth when you hit the skillet? Food writer Oliver Schwaner-Albright set to find out. He got some meat, salted some a day ahead, and the other right before cooking. Then he roasted chicken and pork ribs, seared steak and braised lamb shanks. The results? Inconclusive.
The pre-salted chicken was more flavorful and moist while the pre-salted ribs were awfully dry. There was no consensus on which steak was better, but the pre-seasoned lamb was definitely more delicious than the other one. So no golden rules, it seems that what works best will depend on the type of meat and preparation. Oh well, I’ll have to continue salting by instinct (or recipe) 🙂
Check Out
-
- RESTAURANT REVIEWS
- San Leandro Eats
- New Orleans Food Tour
- Notes from a New York City Foodie Trip
- Â MEAL SERVICES
- CookUnity
-
ShefÂ
-
Marga’s Food
-
Recent Posts
- Louisiana Eats: Judge Porter House B&B
- Fast Food Reviews: Whataburger
- Dining in Texas: Babe’s Chicken Dinner House
- Louisiana Eats: TJ Ribs in Baton Rouge
- New Orleans Food Tour
- New Orleans Food Tour: Brennan’s
- New Orleans Food Tour: GW Fins
- New Orleans Food Tour: The Richelieu Bar @ Arnaud’s
- New Orleans Food Tou:: Broussard’s
- New Orleans Food Tour: Cafe du Monde
Recent Comments
- San Leandro Eats: Indian Grill | Marga's Food Blog on La Bella Italia Restaurant – San Leandro – Updated Review
- San Leandro Eats: Nation’s Giant Hamburgers | Marga's Food Blog on Rocky’s Charcoal Grill
- San Leandro Eats: A1 Pho | Marga's Food Blog on Pho Anh-Ha Restaurant – San Leandro
- San Leandro Eats: Indian Grill | Marga's Food Blog on Santos Spice Products
- Linda Olson Olson on Pineapple Short Ribs recipe
Tags
bbq beef Blue Apron boneless chicken breakfast burgers chain restaurants cheese chicken Christmas closed restaurants desserts Eclipse Trip Eddie French frozen food Gobble Hello Fresh HelloFresh meal kit reviews historical restaurants Home Chef Indian Indian food Las Vegas meal kit hacks New Orleans NYC oakland pasta pastries pizza Plated Refrigerated Meals Reviews restaurant reviews safeway San Leandro sauces short ribs Soup steak tacos thai vegan vegetarianCategories
- Argentina (7)
- Bar (4)
- Bread (4)
- Breakfast (1)
- Cafes, Bakeries, Ice Cream… (47)
- Cheese (15)
- Classes (5)
- Cookbooks (18)
- Deals (5)
- Destinations (2)
- Dinner (69)
- Drinks (22)
- Equipment (13)
- Events (9)
- Fairs & Festivals (8)
- Feedback (7)
- Food for Tots (18)
- Food Items (184)
- Fun with Food (3)
- Grocery Outlet (82)
- Ice Cream (12)
- Ideas (4)
- International Project (5)
- Invitations (3)
- Links (19)
- Lists (9)
- Meal Kits (106)
- Menus (65)
- Methods (12)
- Recipes (250)
- Restaurants (446)
- San Leandro Eats (7)
- Shops & Markets (40)
- Snacks (16)
- Text (61)
- Uncategorized (13)
- Wine (53)
- Wine Tasting (18)
Meal Kit Reviews
-
Posts in this blog may contain affiliate links.