Michaele Musel, chef of Double R Ranch Co., producers of aged beef, suggests this option for those who grill without an open fire.

“There’s an easy way to replicate the smokiness of coal and wood, using a gas grill and smoked sea salt,” says Chef Musel.

Smoked sea salt is available at specialty food stores or online. Get a box for yourself, and a second box or jar as an inexpensive gift for someone who likes to cook. (Put smoked salt on your “stocking stuffer” list.)

Different artisan salt companies make smoked sea salt. Perhaps the most beautiful is the smoked version of Maldon sea salt, harvested from the Atlantic Ocean off the southeast coast of England in Essex.

Maldon salt has unique pyramid-shaped flakes which are visually arresting when used as a finishing salt. Here’s more about Maldon salt in our Artisan Salt Glossary.

USES FOR SMOKED SALT

Use smoked salt on deviled eggs, fish/seafood (yummy on salmon), grilled and roasted meats, pasta, roast chicken and other foods. We even use a pinch on an egg salad or tuna sandwich. It just might get some people to eat more veggies. You can evoke the flavor of bacon in soups and stews by adding this “vegan” smokiness.

Choose Your Style. In addition to flakes, smoked salt is also available in fine and coarse grain sizes. For the most flexibility, get the flakes or coarse grain, which can be used as decorative salts. If you need a finer grain, crush or grind the salt.

Make Sure It’s Natural. Before you buy a smoked salt, make sure that it is naturally smoked. A natural salt is slow-smoked in cold smokers over a wood fire, which infuses the salt crystals with delicious, smokey flavor. Companies that take a shortcut use liquid smoke flavoring that can create a bitter taste.

Taste Before Using. While any smoked salt can be used when a hint of smoke is desired, taste it first to judge the smokiness. Some brands are smoked much more heavily than others.

GET SMOKY FLAVOR FROM A GAS GRILL

Here are chef’s Musel’s tips for achieving a smoky flavor from a gas grill. The chef likes to grill a tri-tip, part of the sirloin.

1. PREPARE GRILL. Prepare a gas grill for indirect cooking according to manufacturer’s directions for medium heat.

2. SEASON MEAT. Season the tri-tip roast or other cut with smoked sea salt and pepper. Place the roast on a cooking grid over direct heat. Grill, uncovered, for two minutes on each side.

3. INDIRECT HEAT. Move tri-tip to indirect heat. Grill, covered, one hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the internal temperature at center of thickest part of the roast reaches 135°F for medium rare; 150°F for medium doneness.

Photo courtesy Double R Ranch.

4. TENT MEAT. Transfer the roast to a carving board and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let it stand for 5 to 10 minutes. Temperature will continue to rise about 10°F to reach 145°F for medium rare; 160°F for medium doneness.

5. CARVE & SERVE. Carve the roast across the grain and serve on French bread with salsa or other condiments. Chef Musel likes to serve this dish with slow cooked pinquito beans and a green salad.

A peppery green that delights lovers of spicy food, in the U.S. arugula is usually relegated to perking up a green salad. You can substitute it for lettuce on a sandwich* or for basil, parsley or watercress as a garnish or a recipe ingredient.

No matter how you use it, arugula is a nutritional powerhouse, delivering high levels of potassium and vitamins A and C. It makes more of a punch, flavor-wise, than most other leafy greens, which lends itself nicely to a variety of dishes.

Expand your vista and try these other ways to enjoy arugula:

PASTA. Add arugula pesto or sautéed arugula to pasta with a garnish of green olives. Or, make an uncooked sauce of fresh tomatoes and a chiffonade of arugula.

*We especially like fresh arugula instead of bland lettuce on egg salad, chicken salad and tuna salad sandwiches, and melted into a grilled cheese sandwich. Here’s recipe for Colby-Jack Panini With Honey Glazed Ham & Lemony Arugula.

PESTO. Make pesto with arugula instead of basil. You can use the pesto as a crostini topping, pasta sauce or sandwich spread—straight or mixed with mayonnaise or fat-free Greek yogurt. More about pesto.

PIZZA. Vary the classic Margherita pizza by switching out the fresh basil for arugula.

QUICHE & CHEESE TARTS. Arugula goes well with cheese, ham, and pears. Here they all combine in this Cheese, Arugula, Prosciutto & Pear Tart recipe.

RICE. Mix arugula pesto into cooked rice or other grains. Or try this recipe for Basmati Rice Salad With Prosciutto, Arugula & Fresh Orange.

SALAD. Beyond a mixed green salad, add some of these ingredients to an arugula salad: blue cheese, chickpeas, feta, goat cheese, grilled mushrooms, pears, pecans, watermelon (with or without one of the cheeses), strawberries. We like a balsamic vinaigrette: The round sweetness of balsamic vinegar is a nice counterpoint to the spice of the greens. Add arugula to a Caprese salad, with or without the basil. For something sophisticated, try this recipe for Scallop & Bacon Salad With Arugula.

SAUTÉED. Like sautéed spinach, sautéed arugula is a delicious side. In a frying pan, heat a chopped garlic clove and a tablespoon of olive oil for 45 seconds. Add the arugula and stir for about a minute, until the leaves wilt.

SOUP. Spice up broccoli, cucumber, spinach, watercress or zucchini soup by mixing in some arugula. You can also use a chiffonade of raw arugula as a garnish for almost any soup.

If you have a favorite use for arugula, please let us know!

Find more of our favorite vegetable recipes.

Convenience trumps environment. Help save the planet: Consider carrying a reusable water bottle.

 
Our suggestion: Treat yourself to a new reusable filtration water bottle and become part of the solution. The built-in filter lasts for 100 uses before they need to be replaced, and remove any flavors you don’t like in tap water.

Do you know the different types of water?