Homemade Merlot, Rosemary and Black Pepper Salt

Its that time of year when fridges are groaning, homes are full and cooking is taking place almost 24/7. Everyone seems to be running around looking for the perfect gift for Aunty Mavis, tracking down that free range turkey or stressing about what to get your husband's third-cousin-twice-removed.

This year I decided to make Merlot-infused cooking salts for my family, friends and those people I don't know well enough to shop for. It is super easy and frankly wine infused anything is normally a hit. A few cracks of this is good on lamb roasts or chops, steaks, stews, pasta sauces, potatoes or even on salads. 

What you will need (makes 10):

1 kg course salt

200 g whole pepper corns

1 bunch of fresh rosemary - I just picked about 6 large branches out my garden

1 bottle of Red Wine - I used an organic Merlot

10 salt grinder bottles - you can either buy them empty or alternatively you can buy them filled with course salt at your supermarket and use the salt inside in this recipe

1 packet printable labels

Instructions:

Step 1: Place the bottle of wine in a sauce pan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and allow the wine to reduce down until you have about 50ml left (it should be thicker but not syrupy). 

Step 2: Take off the heat and add the salt and the peppercorns to the reduced wine mixing thoroughly. 

Step 3: Spread the salt into a large roasting or baking tray (one with deep sides will work best) and place in the oven. Place the fresh rosemary in the oven on a rack above the salt (so any pieces that fall off as it dries are caught). 

Step 4: Turn the oven on to the lowest temperature possible. I let the the oven warm up to its lowest setting and then switch the oven off and leave the salt to dry overnight. 

Step 5: Check the salt is dry it might be little bit tacky but as long as its not damp its ready. If necessary place back in the oven and repeat step 4. 

Step 6: Crumble the rosemary leaves into the salt and mix thoughtfully. Discard the rosemary branches. 

Step 7: Fill your salt grinders up with the mix (you will probably find you have extra).

Step 8: Most printable labels will come with instructions on how to import a template into word so you can create and print you custom labels at home. I wanted to use Microsoft Publisher for mine so I added the template in word and then imported it into publisher to create my labels. If this all seems too much effort you can always buy blank labels and hand write them for a personal touch. 

Let me know how you went and if you have any trouble with this recipe or ideas to improve it in the comments below. Happy creating!