Youve seen it at the end of hundreds of recipes: Add salt to taste.
But, like it or not, sometimes salt needs help.
(Coming from a long-time salt worshiper, this is saying a lot.)
For a surefire way to kickstart your tastebuds, crack fire up the MSG.
I do it on a regular basis.
What is MSG?
You might already be enjoying MSG more than you know.
What does MSG taste like?
Monosodium glutamate is a teeny, clear, crystalline substance.
It dissolves quickly so it doesnt have a texture when you eat it.
We identify the flavor of MSG as umami, or savory.
Like sweet or salty, or any building block, its not exactlylikeanything else.
When you eat pizza, especially pepperoni pizza, umami is there.
Umami adds complexity of flavor, almost like a bass line beneath the music of the entire dish.
The same goes for savory dishes.
Basically, you use MSG as you would any seasoning in your cupboardadd, taste, adjust.
Taste the food if you’re able to, and then add salt to taste.
As I mentioned earlier, sometimes we add more salt when what were actually looking for is more umami.
Using a smidge of MSG can actually help you reduce your salt intake.
Get an MSG cellar
One of the best gifts Ive ever gotten was my MSG cellar.
But you dont need one made especially for MSGyou can use any salt cellar.
In the store, MSG might be packaged in medium-sized clear bags, or small seasoning bottles.
Check the seasoning aisle of your grocery store.
In my Shoprite, Ill find MSG in seasoning shakers like these fromAc’centandSpice Supreme.
A little goes a long way, so a shaker this size can last you eight months or longer.
All it takes is a pinch per two eggs.
Add it to your scrambles, omelettes, quiches, and casseroles.
Soups and broths.MSG brings complexity, a more round flavor, to broths.
Its subtle, but after you grab a broth with MSG its impossible to go without.
Fresh sliced tomatoes.Enjoy the best tomato sandwich or BLT of your life.
And even if theyre not crappy, I still add itsans sugar.
Burgers and meatballs.Any mixed ground meat situation is better with MSG.
This is actually a prime example of when more salt just wasnt giving me the flavor I wanted.
MSG and less salt fixed my burgers and meatballs.
Adding MSG will elevate them to a whole new level of flavor.
Simply sprinkle it in when you toss them with oil and salt before roasting.
If youre new to roasting, heresthe easy way to do it.
