Salt is Optional
For the recipes at The Vibrant Cook, added salt is kept to the bare minimum or omitted completely for dishes, condiments and dressings.
Adding salt is always optional, not just because you can simply omit, but often there are flavor boosting options. Those options follow the instructions in recipes, noted as “SOS free option” (salt-free, oil-free, sugar-free).
Citrus, like lime juice or lemon juice or vinegar splashed on a dish just before service brightens the flavors and reduces or eliminates the desire for salt. Spices and spice blends also offer a bump up in complexity and flavor.
When there is salt added in recipe on The Vibrant Cook, it is usually in the form of small quantities of miso, olives, and occasionally sea salt. Miso adds a much fuller taste than plain salt and has way less sodium by amount. Sweet chickpea miso and white miso each have enough natural sweetness that the addition of either of these misos often reduces the need for sweeteners too. Brown rice miso really enhances the flavor of mushrooms and dishes where tamari sauce or soy sauce are typically used.
Misos do vary in sodium content, anywhere from 200mg to 800mg per serving which is usually 2 tsps., so it is a really good to read and compare the nutrition labels and choose the one(s) best for your taste.
Organic misos can be found at health food stores, Asian markets, local coops and other well-stocked grocery stores.
