Frying in salt, also known as hot salt frying, is an ancient cooking technique used throughout Asia and other parts of the world. It involves heating a large quantity of coarse salt to a high temperature and then submerging the food item within it to cook. This method offers unique results, creating a crispy exterior and often a tender interior, depending on the food and cooking time.
The Hot Salt Frying Method
This technique is ideal for foods that benefit from even cooking and a crispy exterior. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Heat the Salt: A large quantity of coarse sea salt is heated in a wok or large, heavy-bottomed pan over high heat. The salt needs to reach a high temperature. (Reference: Coarse sea salt is placed in a large wok and heated to a high temperature).
- Prepare the Food: The food to be cooked should be prepared appropriately. For example, eggs in their shells can be directly buried, or smaller items might require less preparation than larger ones.
- Submerge and Cook: Carefully bury the food item completely within the hot salt, ensuring it's fully submerged.
- Turn and Monitor: Occasionally turn the food item with a spatula to ensure even cooking. The cooking time will vary greatly depending on the food's size, type, and desired level of doneness.
- Remove and Serve: Once cooked, carefully remove the food from the hot salt, allowing excess salt to fall off. Serve immediately.
Examples of Foods Suitable for Hot Salt Frying:
- Eggs (in their shells)
- Small whole fish
Variations and Considerations
While the basic technique remains consistent, some variations exist:
- Oven Method: Some recipes use an oven instead of a wok or pan to cook the salt-buried food. (Reference: There's a famous fish dish where I'm from where they bury a fish in salt. Completely cover it a couple of inches deep. Then cook in oven).
- Pre-preparation: Some methods involve pre-boiling the food in salted water before frying, enhancing the texture further. (Reference: Boiling with salt before doing the frying process made a big difference and the texture is so wonderful).
- Seasoning: Although the focus is on the hot salt cooking method itself, additional seasoning can be applied before or after cooking for enhanced flavour. (Reference: This is a simple but super tasty seasoning for French fries that adds more flavour than using just plain salt).
Remember that safety is crucial when working with hot salt. Use appropriate heat-resistant tools and exercise caution to prevent burns.
