Red Wine Salt

Have you ever heard of "Wine Salt" before?

It is absolutely worth the try.

There is not much chef skills necessary to make it.

You need just 2 things to make it.

1. 1 bottle of your favorite red wine.

2. 5 cups of coarse sea salt (I use rock salt because I have leftover from Kimchi making)

Are you ready?

1. Pour the wine into the big pot.

2. Simmer in medium heat until the wine is half way down. Don't leave your station while the wine is simmering; it might boil over.

3. Pour the salt into the wine pot. Don't panic! Salt is not going to be melt. Just keep stirring the mixture well. You might have the heat down to medium-low.

4. Stir until the salt absorbs all the wine. You may see that the salt is drying up. Maybe 5 minutes?

5. Spread the salt onto the cookie sheet evenly. Let it dry completely. Once in a while you might have to stir and spread the salt again so that it dries well. Do you know how to check if it's dry enough? Just grab handful of salt and squeeze it. Open your hand. If all of the salt falls off, it's good to go. If there is some remaining salt that stuck to your hand, dry it for longer.

6. Store in a jar.

What do you say?

Isn't it so pretty?

I add some thyme for more flavor.

Be creative. I use it as a dry rub on meats and fish. Rub on meat before searing.

Put it in a nice jar and give it to your family and friends. Great gift idea!

If my friends are happy, I am happy.