Interactive: Cut down on salt — without cutting down on taste
TOPIC
Eat better
Yes, you can reduce your salt intake and still give your taste buds some zing to sing about. Use this interactive tool to match the items on tonight’s menu with the herbs and spices that pair best with each one. That way, you’ll dish up a meal that’s long on taste but lower in salt.
By reducing the salt and upping the use of herbs you may have never tried, you’ll also derive the health benefits that many herbs and spices are believed to carry. Caraway seed and black pepper, for example, are two of the many flavourings believed to soothe the digestive system, while the aroma of rosemary may relieve headaches.
Of course, the suggestions listed here are just a starting point: Experiment to find the taste combinations you find most appealing.
Remember to:
- Be generous with fresh herbs, which contribute a delicate flavour, and add them to cooked dishes near the end.
- Be sparing with dried herbs, and add them early in the cooking process.
| When you’re cooking this… | Try pairing it with this flavour booster… |
|---|---|
| VEGETABLES | |
| Beans, green | Borage |
| Chervil | |
| Beets | Dill |
| Marjoram | |
| Cabbage | Caraway seed |
| Carrots | Mint |
| Marjoram | |
| Thyme | |
| Ginger | |
| Eggplant | Oregano |
| Thyme | |
| Mushrooms | Thyme |
| Parsley | |
| Oregano | |
| Tarragon | |
| Peas | Chervil |
| Mint | |
| Peppers | Oregano |
| Potatoes | Rosemary |
| Tarragon | |
| Thyme | |
| Dill | |
| Chives | |
| Pumpkin | Sage |
| Salads | Chives |
| Mint | |
| Cilantro | |
| Italian (flat leaf) parsley | |
| Chervil | |
| Borage | |
| Spinach | Nutmeg |
| Squash (summer) | Oregano |
| Thyme | |
| Parsley | |
| Squash (winter) | Cardamom |
| Cinnamon | |
| Cloves | |
| Sweet potato | Cardamom |
| Cloves | |
| Tomatoes and sauce | Basil |
| Oregano | |
| Thyme | |
| Tarragon | |
| Marjoram | |
| Chervil | |
| Parsley | |
| Turnips | Thyme |
| MEAT & SUBSTITUTES | |
| Beans (dried) | Bay leaf |
| Oregano | |
| Cumin | |
| Cilantro | |
| Parsley (flat leaf) | |
| Beef | Black pepper |
| Rosemary | |
| Parsley | |
| Chicken | Tarragon |
| Smoked paprika | |
| Oregano | |
| Basil | |
| Rosemary | |
| Cumin | |
| Cilantro | |
| Parsley | |
| Eggs | Chives |
| Tarragon | |
| Dill | |
| Cayenne | |
| Fish | Dill |
| Marjoram | |
| Oregano | |
| Fennel | |
| Saffron | |
| Basil | |
| Thyme | |
| Chervil | |
| Chives | |
| Cilantro | |
| Ham | Cloves |
| Parsley | |
| Lamb | Mint |
| Oregano | |
| Rosemary | |
| Pork | Sage |
| Marjoram | |
| Fennel | |
| Salmon | Dill |
| Ginger | |
| Shellfish | Basil |
| Chervil | |
| Chives | |
| Cilantro | |
| Turkey | Sage |
| Fennel | |
| Rosemary | |
| Cumin | |
| Parsley | |
| Veal | Tarragon |
| Sage | |
| MISCELLANEOUS | |
| Cream sauce | Borage |
| Chervil | |
| Chives | |
| Parsley | |
| Pasta | Basil |
| Poppy seed | |
| Rice | Saffron |
| Cilantro | |
| Salad dressing | Fennel |
| Tarragon | |
| Chives | |
| Stock | Bay leaves |