Fixing a meal that tastes too salty or not salty enough can be done with some simple adjustments and techniques. Here's what you can do for each situation:
Meal is too salty:
- Dilution: If the dish is a soup, stew, or sauce, you can add more liquid (water, broth, or a neutral base) to dilute the saltiness.
- Potatoes or Vegetables: Add peeled and chopped potatoes, or plain vegetables, like carrots, to the dish and simmer until they soften. The potatoes will absorb some of the excess salt. Remove them before serving.
- Citrus: A squeeze of lemon or lime juice can help balance out the saltiness in certain dishes, like stews and sauces.
- Dairy: Adding a splash of milk, cream, or coconut milk can mellow out the saltiness in certain recipes, like curries or creamy soups.
- Sugar or Honey: A small amount of sugar or honey can counteract the saltiness and add a touch of sweetness to the dish.
Meal is not salty enough:
- Gradual addition: Add salt gradually, tasting the food as you go. Avoid adding too much salt all at once, as it's difficult to reverse if you oversalt.
- Salt solution: Dissolve salt in a small amount of water and add it to the dish. This allows the salt to distribute more evenly throughout the food.
- Soy sauce or Fish sauce: Depending on the cuisine, adding a dash of soy sauce or fish sauce can boost the overall saltiness of the dish.
- Salted Butter or Cheese: Incorporating salted butter or cheese into the recipe can increase the salt content and enhance the flavor.
- Salt on the table: If you've served the food and some guests desire more salt, provide a salt shaker on the table for them to season to taste.
Remember, it's always better to start with less salt and add more if needed. You can't remove excess salt completely, but you can balance the flavors by incorporating other ingredients and flavors. Always taste as you go to avoid overcorrecting.