A salt plate is a heathful, creative and unique way to serve certain kinds of foods. If you like to entertain and want a new way to present your food, you may want to try a salt plate.

A salt plate is a hand-cut block of pink salt. It may be rectangular, square, round, cut in a brick shape, or it may be cut into a random slab; it can have a smooth surface or a natural rough surface. This is a new way to serve seafood, vegetables, and much more, by putting the food directly on the block of salt.

Where does the salt come from?

The salt is Himalayan Pink Salt. It is said to be harvested from ancient sea salt deposits in the Himalayan Mountain Range. It has been crystalized for more than 200 million years. The ancient sea beds were covered by volcanic lava which protected them from pollution; this means that the Himalayan Pink Salt may be the purest salt on earth.

How is this salt beneficial?

This salt contains 84 beneficial trace minerals. These minerals are believed to be an aid in detoxifying the body and an aid in digestive health.

This salt is healthier than the processed table salts sold most often in the supermarket as it is completely unprocessed and free of any additives. When using it to serve food, it can serve as an every day replacement for table salt.

Further, due to their salt composition, the salt plates are anti-microbial by nature.

How are they used?

You can heat them in the oven to sear or cook such items as fish, or thinly sliced beef. The dense salt slabs cook with near perfect heat distribution. They then impart a mild taste to your foods.

In addition to heating them in an oven they can also be heated on top of a range, or used on a barbecue grill.

You can also chill them in the refrigerator and set them out to be serving trays for fruits, sushi, sashimi, cheeses, and vegetables. I have eaten sushi in restaurants here in NYC served on these salt slabs. They acquire a very delicate taste.

You can also freeze them and then use them to serve sorbets.

How long do they last?

They are easily maintained by rinsing, patting dry (some manufacturers recommend air-drying) and putting away. A Himalayan Pink Salt Plate should last for several years.

How much do they cost?

Depending on the shape and size I've seen prices on the internet ranging from:

- $35.00 for a Round Salt Plate, both the natural finish (about 5 pounds) and the smooth finish (about 4 pounds) to a high of -

- $83.00 for a Rectangular Salt Slab (8 x 15 x 1.5)

- A square one is about $35.00 -

- and if you would just like to try it and see if you like it you can buy a brick for about $17.00.

Where can they be found?

They can be purchased here in NYC at Dean and DeLuca

Or they can be purchased at SurLaTable

They can also be purchased from both stores online as well as a few other stores online.

For other creative ways to serve food see the links below: