When a recipe says salt and pepper to taste - what is the minimum amount that should be put in?

[seaglass]

I do not want to taste raw food.

And if it says season well with salt and pepper, how much is that?

Anyone know?

[alphafemale]

1. Underestimate. A sprinkle. You can add more later. Over doing either one will ruin a dish.

A pinch/ a couple shakes is probably fine to start with.

[seaglass]

3. Yes that is my fear. I usually just sprinkle some in but I thought there might be some minimum

amount at least of salt.

[alphafemale]

4. Taste it...after it's nearly done....and safe to do so.

If it needs more salt you can tell immediately.

[seaglass]

6. Yes and then people can just add their own and I will know for next time. Thanks!

[Amerigo Vespucci]

2. Depends on the food

There's no set amount.

You can start with 1/8 of a teaspoon...probably not enough to over-season anything...but it all depends on what you're seasoning.

[seaglass]

5. It's stuffing - caramelized onion and cornbread. The cornbread is actually corn muffins and very

sweet so it could use some salt. I just don't want to put in too much. I will go for 1/8 s and 1/4 p. Thanks!

Ooops on edit 1/8 s and less p :-)

[HopeHoops]

7. No salt. Lots of fresh-ground pepper.

[Bunny]

8. One cup of each, then add more if you need it.

:9

[Hotler]

9. One cup of each?

:spank: :rofl:

[trof]

17. Damn. I think she's actually serious.

From reading her replies.
:eyes:
OK, I guess she's not pulling my leg.
Or else she's VERY good at it.
;-)

[Major Nikon]

10. If it tastes like salt, you've used too much

So just a little short of that.

[MrsBrady]

11. salt and pepper to taste

means what it should taste like FOR YOU when you are done.
They are not asking you to eat raw food.

if you are not sure, then just put a little.
and then people can salt and pepper things the way they like it at the table.

I have one family member who has to have a low sodium diet. So we would just make everything
without it, and then we could all add it on our plate.
We would just let any guests know that they might want to add salt.

[Kali]

12. the minimum would be none

when it is actually needed (for dough conditioning or something) the amount will be given. If it say to taste, that is what it means and it would be tasted at the time of serving, not raw. So it does not even need to be added at all, really. Can be added at the table by individual preference.

as a funny aside I was informed by someone from Europe (no idea if it is universal) that adding a lot of salt/pepper by diners at the table could be seen as insulting by the cook. so there you go, can't win:rofl:

[petronius]

13. That's true - the reaction tends to look like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MixYRIUzVXs

(A very funny clip from the show Chef!, in which a diner asks for salt without tasting the meal and Blackstock responds in volcanic fashion...)

[seaglass]

18. I'm going to take it from now on as being none and let people add their own.

That makes the most sense. Thanks!

[trof]

19. Adding salt IS considered to be 'gauche'.

You're insulting the cook.
But I do it anyway.
;-)

[GoCubsGo]

23. Only if you add it without first tasting it.

I think most chefs understand that people have different tolerances for salt. I find that the more I salt my food, the more I need salt on everything. I have been weaning myself off of the stuff, and food that used to taste normal is too salty for me now. Eating microwave popcorn is like chewing on a salt lick to me now. Bleech.

[RebelOne]

14. To my taste, which is a lot of salt and pepper. n/t

[trof]

15. I think you're pulling my leg.

Let go, please.
;-)

[seaglass]

20. Haha - no I was serious. I am not a creative cook and need exact

measurements and instructions :-) Sometimes when I am cooking food I will taste it while it is cooking to see if it needs more spices but this had raw egg, cream and chicken stock and I could not taste it until it was done.

[UTUSN]

16. A coating of salt; a heavier coating of pepper. Mix. Repeat. n/t

[begin_within]

21. If it doesn't give a specific amount, then don't add any. Let the eater add them.

It's far better to under-salt or under-pepper something than to overdo it. Yesterday my sister's fiance complained loudly about the deviled eggs being too salty.

[GoCubsGo]

22. Yep, the minimum is "none".

Unless you are the only one who is going to eat it, let the everyone season their own. That's why we have salt and pepper shakers on the table. Otherwise, taste it while you are making it, and add according to your tastes.

This thread reminds me of the Food Network's "Chopped". One of the judges will snarl about how there is too much or not enough salt in the chef's dish, and one of the other judges will say, "No, it's seasoned perfectly." You can't win.

[sibelian]

24. Some.

I'm sorry, that's my best answer.