I post in here reasonably often, I'm a bit of a foodie but not nearly to the degree that some of the regs are, so I was just wondering, what's everyone's opinion on using MSG as an ingredient?

Do you see it as just another ingredient like adding a touch of salt or a pinch of coriander?

Or is it a bit of a quick cheat to making 'hearty' food taste a bit better, not ideal but better than nothing, like adding granulated garlic if you don't have any fresh garlic to hand?

Or do you see it as sacreligious, like comparing a gourmet burger to crap from MacDonald's?



Personally I see it as a quick cheat. For example, I'd like to make proper beef stock to add to my chilli, but I don't have the time and I hardly ever have any leftovers and bones to make proper stock. I find that a teaspoon of it in a stew or chilli or even in a good slow-cooked tomato sauce adds a bit of richness.

It's used sparingly on my part. I try to avoid it.

Every so often I'll add it if I don't have enough ingredients to make my food as tasty as I wanted.

Are you serious? Do you guys actually willingly add that to your food?

There's no reason not to. It's not actually bad for you, its just got a bad reputation because it's associated with fast food and ready meals which are really unhealthy.

MSG is delicious.

i dont go out and actually buy msg in packets, and i generally cook with natural ingredients, but sometimes i add a packet sauce to boost the flavour somewhat and it will inevitably have msg in it. its only bad for a few people

though ive heard stories of people becomeing really sleepy after they consume msg

It gives me migraines, so I don't use it.

I honestly don't think it's necessary. If you don't have the time/ingredients, just make something else.

If you don't have the time/ingredients, just make something else.

Well that's easy to say if you've got the TIME and MONEY to make proper stock. Happens that I don't have either, so should I just ban myself from rich foods?

I've gotta admit, in a pinch I'll add a dash or two of browning sauce to a soup or sauce or stock.

I feel dirty and cheated eating it though.

Ditto.

You lose a certain self-gloating sense of satisfaction from your food.

I've only ever had it on food in South East Asia, they fucking love it out there, and pour it on like salt in some places. You have to watch out, and ask for none on your grub...

I haven't ever added it to my own cooking, n can't see the point really, although I may try a pinch at some point. It does seem like cheating though, and I fucking hate that "crunch" it gives. Yuck...

^ crunch?

I have a tin of it powdered really fine (in an unmarked little tin in my cupboard in a plastic bag... looks quite a lot like cocaine)

I work at a chinese restaurant, and i'll be damned if those goofy little fuckers don't use that shit by the ton.

If I ever get a headache within five minutes of eating a meal, I know it has MSG in it. I fucking hate that shit and would never have it in my kitchen.