Herb Salt

Do you sometimes feel like smacking yourself on the forehead and saying " duhhhhh!"? Today was one of THOSE days! Permit me to go back and set the stage and I believe you will agree.

Last fall when we were in Provence, I bought a wonderful sea salt and herb blend similar to Herbs de Provence. I've used it sparingly since coming home, rationed it and on some days, simply opened the jar to whiff those smells so distinctive to that part of the world. Then I began to dissect the contents. Then I began to Google herb salts..... Then I began to feel very foolish! It was the duhhhh moment!

When I looked around my "yard" ( We live in the mountains of NC on a mountain, so I use that word loosely.) I saw several of the herbs in the herb salt. As a matter of fact, I have a rosemary bush that started out 9 years ago as a 1 quart pot holding a tiny sad looking little sprig.  Today it is 4 feet wide and 3 feet tall! Welll.... Maybe not quite as large after I trimmed it this afternoon!

The house smells scrumptious! The herb salt is on the counter drying and my forehead is sore!
Here's what I did. This is almost too easy!


Herb Salt
1/2 cup Kosher or sea salt
4 cloves garlic, peeled and halved
4 cups fresh herb leaves, washed and dried ( rosemary and sage were my choices)

Place 2 tablespoons salt in the food processor. Add garlic and process until finely chopped. Add herbs and remaining salt. Process until consistency of wet sand. If you want the salt more chunky, save out half of it to stir in after processing the herbs. Spread it on a glass dish (I used a platter) and let sit on the counter for several hours to dry. Scoop into glass jars ( or cute bottles available at craft stores), label and store at room temperature.


Sprinkle over cooked veggies, baked potatoes, fresh sliced tomatoes, focaccia (before baking), eggs, omelets....... Etc, etc.....

Confession: I tried drying a batch in the oven for 30 min at 350 degrees. Can you smell the burned salt and herbs! Yuck! Just let it dry on it's own!

What a great hostess gift! I will forever keep some on hand! And it only cost pennies to make!