Salt preserves food and enhances the flavour in food. But it can be the cause of serious health problems. Greece has been endowed with a wealth of aromatic herbs – among the highest quality in the world – and has become a reference point of the “Mediterranean diet”. So it’s easy to substitute salt with other, healthier options to enhance the taste.
– Whenever possible, it is best to add the herbs towards the end of cooking, so that the essential oils contained in many of them are not lost. If you use fresh herbs in salads or recipes that do not involve roasting or boiling, be sure to wash them carefully before use.
– Store dried herbs in a shady place and in tightly closed containers to ensure their quality (essential oil content) for a longer period of time.
– In addition to the aromatic herbs, you can use spices (e.g. pepper, paprika, cloves, cinnamon), lemon juice, celery, garlic, fresh or dried onion and chopped seasonal vegetables.
– It’s easier to reduce salt and replace it with herbs gradually, so you have time to adjust to the new flavours.