salt And Pepper And Sweet

Salt and pepper has always been used to bring out the flavor in savory foods.Now there's a new spin on these traditional seasonings.More and more sweets, from frostings to candies, are using them to add zing and zest .It's a neat twist on this age old duo. Black pepper is showing up in some of the most common recipes.Melissa Clark,the New York Times food writer, refashioned traditional buttercream filling with fresh ground pepper.her recipe in Wednesday's A Good Appetite column shakes up the flavor and give a usually cloying recipe some bite.(although the cake recipe too is different thanks to adding hot water to the cocoa to give it a smooth flavor).You can also use black and white ground peppercorns in frosting too for a surprise taste.They're usually added in what's called a boiled icing,which is more of a glossy true icing ,similar to what you see on Hostess cupcakes.There 's also a pound cake made with coarsely ground black pepper,although you could add white as well.Candy gets the spice too.Even Jelly Belly has a black pepper flavor and there are even black pepper lollipops. Salt is somehow the more acceptable since all cake recipes and some cookie ones always call for a pinch of it.It accentuates the other flavors, however it hasn't been the star ingredient.All that is changing.Sea salt is a chief ingredient in all things caramel, expertly bringing out the candy's sweet buttery flavor.Like pepper it's making it's way into frostings as well.A sea salt caramel one would go well over a plain vanilla or chocolate cake, or as a cupcake topper.If you plan on the last think about adding a tiny sprinkle of lavender infused fleur de sel for more sophistication.There was always salt water taffy however there's actually very little salt in it. Instead you can make variations of peanut brittle and toffee with liberal sprinklings of any sea salt.Homemade caramels can also get the added fun of any one as well?Just remember that different salts have slightly different flavors. try the English Malden brand for a lighter, taste.For an earthier richer salt, go for the black Hawaiian one. Salt and pepper are not just for the main meal anymore.They're becoming vital ingredients in desserts and candies.Sprinkle them into your traditional recipes for a different spin.