Cooking with little/no salt

amother

Mon, Mar 01 2021, 3:51 pm

My husband has very high blood pressure, and the doctor advised me to use less salt in cooking. A salt substitute is not an option for him. Any tips on how to cook things like chicken soup and cholent without salt?

amother

Wheat

Mon, Mar 01 2021, 4:06 pm

For chicken use other spices. You can try a Mrs. Dash.
Chicken soup use enough chicken and or chicken bones. Put a full head of garlic. A few all spice berries and whole pepper corns. Plenty of veggies and herbs (like parsley and dill. Cook for a long time and it should taste pretty good even with no salt.
Cholent- again use other spices and it should Be fine.
Onion powder is good.

FranticFrummie

Mon, Mar 01 2021, 4:28 pm

Once your taste buds get used to salty things, it can take a long time to get used to things not being salty. Be prepared for him to complain that things don't taste right, or that they are bland.

Over time his taste buds will change, and he'll enjoy food just fine. You have to be patient, and don't get mad if he's grumpy at first.

zaq

Mon, Mar 01 2021, 5:36 pm

What FF said. Some people use a salt substitute like Nu Salt that uses potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride but it doesn't really taste like salt, and some people must avoid it if they have potassium levels that are too high.

Liberal use of herbs and spices, especially sharp ones like mustard powder, different kinds of pepper, ginger, garlic and onion helps add flavor but the food will still taste as if it's missing something until the person gets used to the taste of food with less sodium.

jewishmommy1

Mon, Mar 01 2021, 10:07 pm

Gefen makes a great blend called Chef's Blend Magic Seasoning. The ingredients don't list salt and it's a flavorful, bold taste. Goes well with nearly everything, salads, chicken, veggies, etc.

shirachadasha

Mon, Mar 01 2021, 10:15 pm

Sauteed onion adds a great sweet and savory flavor to lots of foods.

Frumme

Mon, Mar 01 2021, 10:19 pm

Try to liven up dishes with lots of herbs and acids (lemon, vinegar, wine, even honey counts as an 'acid'). Tarragon, sage, thyme, tumeric, cumin, coriander, rosemary, dill, etc

#BestBubby

Mon, Mar 01 2021, 11:59 pm

Doctor said LESS salt, not NO salt.

So cut down Gradually while adding more onions, garlic and spices.

Don't even tell DH you cut down on the salt.

#BestBubby

Tue, Mar 02 2021, 1:09 pm

Main source of salt is NOT home made food but processed food:

Bread, cake, cookies, soda and DIET soda, crackers, mayonaise, canned tuna and salmon.

Cook as much Home Made as you can. Try to do home-made bread and cake with minimal salt.
Be aware that baking powder/soda also has salt.

amother

Tue, Mar 02 2021, 2:34 pm

Do you think I can cut down the salt in challah without affecting anything chemically?

tichellady

Tue, Mar 02 2021, 2:35 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

Do you think I can cut down the salt in challah without affecting anything chemically?

Not really but I actually might have a salt free recipe

I have not made it in years, it makes two challahs

1/4 cup oil
1 cup water
1 egg
1/2 cup (heaping) sugar
4 cups flour (you can use 3 cups white and 1 cup whole wheat)
31/4 teaspoon yeast

#BestBubby

Tue, Mar 02 2021, 3:58 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

Do you think I can cut down the salt in challah without affecting anything chemically?

salt is for taste not for chemical reaction.

use any recipe and try reducing amount of salt Gradually