Ranch Dressing Recipe

After reading the comments left from the MSG post, I looked at the salad dressings in my fridge and, low and behold, there is MSG in my Hidden Valley Ranch (The original recipe.  I couldn't see it in the home style recipe).

NOOOOOO!  I love a good vinegerette, but through and through, I am a ranch girl.  Well, thanks to my friend Jamie, here is a recipe for ranch that is MSG free!

Ranch Dressing
2 cloves garlic
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. mayo (we get olive oil mayo)
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 to 3/4 c. buttermilk (or milk to taste)
1/4 c. chopped flat leaf parsley
2 Tbs. chopped chives
2 tsp. chopped fresh dill
With a fork, make paste of garlic and salt. Mix in all other ingredients. Chill for a couple of hours before serving.


Optional ingredients: white vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, paprika, oregano, pepper, Tabasco


Finally, I had to post this website uncovering all of the foods with MSG served at . . . . . . . . . . Burger King and McDonalds.  Reason number 1,752 why I don't eat fast food.

http://www.msgexposed.com/page/2/

MSG

What exactly is MSG?  Why is it so bad  terrible for your body?  (Click here for a great website explaining what MSG is). 


Today I was looking for bratwurst for my husband's birthday.  I grabbed the normal brand of brats that we have been eating and suddenly started to read the ingredients.  To my horror, I read that there is corn syrup and Mono-Sodium Glutamate in it (MSG).  I threw the package down frustrated and picked up the brand right next to it.  Again, corn syrup and MSG were listed.  Seriously?  I thought that people got off the MSG train in the 90's.  Don't food manufacturers know this flavor additive is a slow poison to our bodies?  Luckily, I was able to find a different, but slightly more expensive brand. 

The more I look, the more I am finding the nasty substance in food.  It is in the canned chili I regularly buy and serve with a baked potato.  It is in all of the canned soups I used to use to make casseroles or funeral potatoes. I am having to change what I buy and how I cook.  This been frustrating and a slow process, but we are getting there.

What I would like to know:

• Where have you found MSG that has surprised you? 
• What do you do to avoid MSG?

Solution

I have found a canned soup substitute that works well.  In fact, I think it has more flavor and gives the dish a more fresh (or less preserved) flavor.

Better-Than-Condensed-Soup White Sauce

Makes about the same as one 10-oz. can

3 Tablespoons butter
3 Tablespoons unbleached flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk, stock or combination

1. Melt butter in heavy saucepan.
2. Blend in the flour and salt, cooking until bubbly.
3. Stir in your choice of milk, stock or a combination of the two, using a wire whisk to prevent lumps.
4. Cook until just smooth and thickened.

Optional flavors and add-ins (replacing various “cream of…” condensed soups):

• cheese: add 1/2 cup grated cheese and 1/4 t. dry mustard
• tomato: use tomato juice as liquid (instead of milk or stock); add a dash of each: garlic salt, dried onion, basil and oregano.
• mushroom: sauté 1/4 cup chopped mushrooms and 1 T. finely chopped onion in the butter, before adding the flour.
• celery: sauté 1/2 cup chopped celery and 1 T. finely chopped onion in the butter, before adding the flour.
• chicken: use chicken broth/stock as half the liquid. Add 1/4 t. poultry seasoning or sage, and diced cooked chicken, if desired.
• for other varied flavors, try: curry powder, garlic/onion/celery salt, grated nutmeg, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, chopped or blended vegetables, chopped parsley, chopped chives, chopped hard-cooked eggs.

 Delicious meals that can be made from a white sauce:

·       Chicken Pot Pie

·       Chicken Alfredo

·       Beef Stroganoff

·       Broccoli cheese soup

·       Potato chowder

·       Hawaiian Haystacks

·       Macaroni and Cheese

  

*I love to add a small container of Greek yogurt to my white sauce for added protein and a nice tangy flavor.

Be Fit 'n' Faithful!

This year, I am trying to educate myself about health and fitness, as well as feed myself spiritually.  I will share what I learn as I study different aspects of nutrition and health.  I will also post spiritual thoughts.  As a mother, I find it is easy to become so consumed with the daily tasks of house-cleaning, cooking, meal-planning, taking care of children, and so on, that I often forget to make some time for myself.

In an effort to stay balanced and be the best me that I can be, I am trying to be more healthy (spiritually and physically).  I would love it if you shared your favorite healthy recipes with me.  One thing I realized is that if I am going to cut out unhealthy food from my diet, I need to have something with which to replace it.

So, if you have any thoughts on nutrition, exercise, living a healthy lifestyle or staying strong spiritually, please share it with me!

2 goals

I have two goals for 2012.
1: Increase my faith in Christ through daily scripture study
2: Increase my health through better diet choices and consistent exercise.

This blog is about my journey.

Will you join me?