SOLVED. Children's Fantasy book 1980s: girl is sent to live with her uncle (?) who is a wizard, is under a spell that is broken by salt. [s]

[Nana]

Looking for a children's book I read as a kid in the 1980s.
A girl is sent to live with her uncle (I think) who lives in a strange house and is a wizard or sorcerer. She has to work and cannot leave or somehow see through the spell that has been cast on her. Eventually a lady friend (witch) reminds her that everything about her uncle has to be taken with "a pinch of salt". She eats something salty and the spell is broken.
I read the book in the German translation and remember I was puzzled by the solution, because the idiom doesn't exist in German so the point is kind of lost in translation.
I did read a lot of Dianna Wynne Jones at the time but haven't been able to identify this one. Very much the same vibe though so it could be one of hers. I got it from the library. I learned to read around 1981, don't think I read it later than 1992, it will have been around for a while to get translated and stocked by an overseas library.
Thanks very much in advance, this has been on my mind for years.

[Capn]

Ooh, this is a toughie! And one I'd like to read!

Could it be a short story at all? Perhaps a Joan Aiken story? (Possibly I'm only thinking of A Small Pinch of Weather...)

Can you remember any specific chores or tasks her Uncle makes her do? (Looking for keywords I can search with). :)

[Sue]

This struck a chord, and I think I may have found it! Was it 'Song of Sorcery' by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough? https://www.fantasticfiction.com/s/el...
When Maggie finds her sister, she is under a spell that makes her think Maggie hates her. Maggie bursts into tears, and this breaks the spell. The witch who mentions 'a pinch of salt' is her grandmother or great-aunt, and the wizard who cast the spell is her uncle.
PS. It was published in 1984

[Capn]

Song of Sorcery for Sue's link (good one, Sue!!!) :D

[Nana]

Thank you so much Sue, that's just amazing! I do remember the animals in the castle. Cannot thank you enough!

[Kris]

Glad you found your book, Nana.

Argonia series by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough - Sue's find.

[Sue]

Nana wrote: "Thank you so much Sue, that's just amazing! I do remember the animals in the castle. Cannot thank you enough!"

Glad to help. After I read your post it started niggling me too!