re: Monosodium glutamate

Hi, Renia. Monosodium glutamate is marketed under the name "Accent" and is also called simply "MSG." It's basically a salt that is used to enhance flavor. There's a lot of controversy over its use. Some people claim to get headaches from it; however it's in almost everything you buy that has been processed (like mixes, frozen and convenience foods) and also catsup, sauces and other condiments. In those instances it is called many, many different things -- but most often "natural flavoring." In short, MSG is impossible to get away from. It has no flavor of its own and I read once that it works to trick your brain into thinking that food tastes better than it does. It's cheaper than actual spices, and that is why food manufacturers put it in almost everything. They put it in soy sauce too, so you could probably leave it out of your recipe and it wouldn't make much difference.

Gong hay fat choy (Happy New Year)!

Marilyn