When I was a child I was envious of deer.
Because I wanted a salt lick to call my own.
I did not realize they were lures set by hunters.
I just wanted to lick salt.
I salt my toast and my no-syrup pancakes.
Never syrup. Only salt.
My pizza must have anchovies... or I will salt it too.
I rage at fancy restaurants that shame me for requesting the salt shaker that is missing from my table.
I considered buying a 25-pound bag of salt on my last trip to Costco.
One day, eating mapo doufu, it occurred to me
I never salt my Sichuan.
How strange!
I never felt the need.
But of course not --
Doubanjiang, dou zhi, pickled greens, soy sauce...
Sichuan's salt delivery vehicles are multitudinous.
Sichuan food is sufficiently pre-salted.
I thought I loved Sichuan because of the ma and the la
Because of the complexity, the heat, the passion and the politics
But maybe, all along,
It was just the salt.
All I Want For Christmas Is Salt
It all becomes clear, at last!