Chef Conrad launches fusion-inspired line of sea salts

Finishing salts are all the rage these days and for cooking on the fly, it's a welcome trend.  A dash of Nicoise Olive or Bloody Mary salt jazzes up everything from bruschetta to scrambled eggs. Dinner in a flash?  Try grilled shrimp with a hit of Cumin Pineapple Chili Sea Salt.  Mmm....

Chef Joseph Conrad was the man behind the fusion-inspired dishes at Qube restaurant.  There, dinner was served with a side of sea salts, and it was my first exposure to how delicious vanilla salt could be in a dish like halibut ceviche.  Redolent with sweet, salty and savory, it's a combination that still lingers in my mind.

When Qube folded, Chef Conrad took a cue from his customer response, and went to work on developing a line available for retail.  Joining forces with Janna Wemmer, the two have designed an intriguing line that circles the globe, profiling combinations that include Almond Orange Cardamom, Coconut Garam Masala, and my favorite Nicoise Olive salt. 

Under the banner of Secret Stash, the salts are now available at the Ballard Farmer's Market and through their website www.secretsalts.com.  For the cook in your life, these salts would make great stocking stuffers! 

And if you're looking for inspiration, check out their website for a selection of recipes. (The Chicken Arugula Salad and Harissa Focaccia are high on my "To Try" list.)