AJ wrote:
> I'm doing the cooking for my elderly uncle (79 -- the old geezer is
> tough!), and he's at the point where his doctors say, "Let him eat
> what he wants -- just NO SALT!" Not too tough, eh?
>
> He was watching an episode of "Cookin' in Brooklyn" that featured
> spare ribs, and of course he wanted that. I went to the website and
> here are the ingredients (I'll put the URL at the end of this
> message):
>
> spare ribs
> 2 dried chilies
> ***1/2 cup salt***
> 1/2 cup sugar
> 2-3 onions
> 4-5 stalks celery
> 3-5 dry bay leaves
> 4-5 sliced lemons
> 1-2 yellow beet
> 2-3 cups Vietnamese fish sauce
> a few sprinkles cracked coriander
> a few sprinkles mustard seeds
> a few sprinkles black pepper
>
> I believe the salt serves to break up the meat during cooking, so it's
> necesary. It'll also land him in the emergency room.
>
> Does anyone know of something that can be used in place of the salt
> that will not adversely affect the taste? I'd appreciate any help you
> all can give.
>
> As promised, here's the URL to the Cookin' in Brooklyn site:
> http://home.discovery.com/fansites/c...nbrooklyn.html
>
> And the url to the spare rib recipe:
> http://home.discovery.com/fansites/c...ipes/ribs.html
>
> Thanks!
>
> AJ in Bayonne


You may find that the fish sauce has salt in it. Haven't a bottle handy
right now to check. Vinegar?


jim