Do opposites really attract? In the case of salty and sweet,
you bet they do! Like peanut butter and jelly-itself a classic
salty-sweet duo-these tastes were made for each other. Salt helps
balance and heighten sweets, transforming ordinary candies into
truly special confections. It brings out the complexities of
chocolate, highlights the subtleties of fruit, makes nuts really
pop, and turns caramel and butterscotch into pure ambrosia. The
salty-sweet combination has swept the nation, with chefs, candy
makes, and retailers all offering tantalizing sweets complemented
with salt.
Salty Sweets is the first cookbook to bring the phenomenon
home. Christie Matheson offers 75 delectable ways to enjoy this
tasty twosome, proving along the way that salty sweets are not the
sole province of fancy chefs and trendy chocolatiers. "Salty sweets
don't have to be complicated to taste good," she writes, and the
scrumptious but simple recipes bear her out. Seven recipe chapters
cover every sort of treat, from little bites to cookies, bars,
cakes, puddings, fruit desserts, and even ice creams. You can make
your own version of those salted caramels found in upscale
boutiques, along with such sophisticated fare as Maple Crème
Brûlée, Lavender Fleur du Sel Shortbread, Fig and Ricotta Pizza,
and Nantucket Sea Salt Ice Cream. Or how about the honey goodness
of Old-Fashioned Kettle Corn and Decadent Hot Cocoa? And who could
resist Dark Chocolate-Covered Pretzels, Butterscotch Brownies,
Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting, or Caramel-Fudge
Sauce. Tempting color photos will send you straight to the kitchen
to try these yourself.
An introductory chapter outlines the basics-equipment,
ingredients, and techniques-of successful sweet making. You'll
learn all you need to know about salts-from fleur du sel to Maldon
to Hawaiian pink to smoked and more. Each has its own distinctive
flavor and texture, and Matheson encourages readers to sample the
wealth of exotic and rare salts available today.
Celebrate the happy marriage of sweet and salt with these
irresistible creations. It's a match made in dessert heaven!
