Have you ever heard of ham salt? The first thing you need to know is that it's not actual salt; it's called that because it looks similar to this mineral and, of course, it's made from ham. Its color is red, and it can be used in a variety of dishes. But how do you make ham salt?

Against all odds, it's much easier than it seems! Let's see how.

How to Make Ham Salt Step by Step

At Enrique Tomás, we always say that when it comes to a pig, everything is valuable. That's why we don't throw anything away. If, while slicing ham, you end up with some slices that are a bit thicker or longer than others and you don't want to serve them to maintain your dish's presentation, don't worry! They're perfect for making ham salt!

In addition to the star ingredient, you'll need:

• Parchment paper
• An oven
• A mortar

If you have everything you need, the procedure is as follows: cover the oven tray with parchment paper and place the ham on top. While you spread it out evenly, preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F), then cover the Iberian ham slices with another layer of parchment paper.

Once the oven is preheated, place the tray inside and wait for fifteen minutes. After this time, you can remove the meat slices.

Allow them to cool, and then place them in the mortar. Since they will be crispy, you will be able to crush them easily, and gradually, you will see a kind of red salt forming. It's ready! Isn't it simple? Now you can use it to add flavor to a variety of dishes! Furthermore, since it can be stored for several days, you don't have to use it all today. Transfer it to a glass container and save it for another time.

What Dishes Can You Enhance with Ham Salt

As mentioned earlier, at Enrique Tomás, we like to make the most of every part of the pig. On other occasions, we've shown you recipes that make use of ham bones, and this time, we're going to give you some ideas for adding flavor to your dishes with ham salt.

You can sprinkle it on:

1. Salads: We often use black pepper or Provencal herbs as dressings for salads, but they're not the only options. Ham salt will give your dishes that distinctive Made in Spain touch that everyone will love.
2. Appetizers: Broken eggs with potatoes, bravas potatoes, Spanish omelette bites... They will all be even more delicious with this secret we're sharing with you today!
3. Soups: Lentils and stew generally include ham or ham bone, but there are other soups, like chicken and rice, that don't have to include this ingredient. Do you want to give it a touch of distinction? Thanks to ham salt, you'll achieve that little something that makes it irresistible.
   
   

As you can see, learning how to make ham salt is much easier than it seems, and once you have it ready, you just need to sprinkle a bit of it on your favorite preparations.

You're going to be delighted!