Topic: Prawn Madras & Chicken Balti demo

[CurryCanuck]

H Pete -
I will give you my x-girlfriend's phone number . 

CC

[Mark J]

We may just be missing a herb ingredient

Pete, didnt you find some chef using powdered thyme? Also arjowain has a very herby taste to it

[pete]

We may just be missing a herb ingredient

Pete, didnt you find some chef using powdered thyme? Also arjowain has a very herby taste to it

Yes, you're right
It's very easy to go round in circles
I've checked this "tweaked" base this morning
Perhaps Basil wasn't exactly right, but it's so close
There is definitely something herby needed
I'll try thyme instead
I have re read a load of notes and racked my brain
Apart from this herb thing I think there might be MSG in it.
I was checking out this web site
http://www.ific.org/publications/brochures/msgbroch.cfm
I lifted this from the article

Why is MSG used?

MSG is a flavor enhancer that has been used effectively to bring out the best taste in foods, emphasizing natural flavors. Many researchers also believe that MSG imparts a fifth taste, independent of the four basic tastes of sweet, sour, salty and bitter. This taste, called "umami" in Japan, is described by Americans as savory. Examples of each of these tastes are: Sweet - Sugar, Bitter - Coffee, Savory - Tomato, Sour - Lemon, Salt - Anchovy

Someone else was? talking about this unami, weren't they
Most people think they have a bit of the taste in their curries
Maybe, if added at the right time, this would take it all the way
Perhaps the "taste" is this fifth taste, the article refers to.
This next part may be rubbish, but it's reassuring

Is MSG safe?

Yes. MSG is one of the most extensively researched substances in the food supply. Numerous international scientific evaluations have been undertaken over many years, involving hundreds of studies. The United States and other governments worldwide support the safety of MSG as used in foods.

Did you know that celery is a high source of msg too?
That's in a lot of reported bases

[Curry King]

Hi Pete,

I've been putting celery in my bases on and of for a while now and to be honest there is no noticable difference at all.  I usually throw a stick in maybe it should be more?

[Mark J]

I made the post on umami as I recall, Ive used MSG a lot, in bases and in final dishes and I havnt noticed it but then again maybe it is a hard thing to notice and it just enriches all the flavours in your curry.

MSG occurs naturally in loads of things and Ive read a number of times from different sources that it is safe (almost certainly safer than reusing oil  ;D)

[traveller]

Just a note on MSG, in this month's ASDA magazine, there is a small article stating that due to customer concerns, Asda has removed MSG from all their own brand food items!  So this fear is not just in the US, it is here in the UK too.

Payal

[Mark J]

There certainly is fear about it, and I have read articles with concerns over MSG.

Im sure all ASDA are doing is pure marketing BS, and I doubt they will remove MSG from their foods, it goes by many names

[traveller]

I did buy some asda brand stir fry rice and there was no mention of anything related to MSG!  I know the alternative names due to someone's posting here on this site.  I didnt know it had so many names to it - that was a great posting!  I suppose I will search the shelves of Asda and if something has a "hidden' name for MSG, I shall create a fuss. 

[pete]

I bought some msg
It's made by Lotus and comes in a standard pack
I added a small amount (as the packet suggests) to the KD base
I honestly cannot tell any difference
Has anyone else used this stuff on anything with success?
I won't use it again unless someones got a few good ideas

[DARTHPHALL]

I`ve used it instead of salt as a substitute just to see if there was any difference.
I could not perceive any sorry.