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.