Is there anyone who doesn’t like ranch dressing? I even used to dip my pizza in it back in college. And what parent hasn’t used it to entice little ones to eat a few raw veggies? Well, there’s a reason it tastes so good and that reason’s initials are MSG. Monosodium Glutamate is a flavor enhancer used in dressings, soups, frozen entrees, and other processed food items such as potato chips – not plain fried potatoes, but sour cream and onion, cheddar cheese, and RANCH flavored ones! Glutamate is an amino acid which is harmless when consumed in an intact protein, but when separated from that protein by chemical means or fermentation (then it becomes MSG) , it becomes toxic to cells – namely nervous system cells. I found numerous websites warning against the dangers of consuming products that contain MSG – complete with references to research. The only site I found that assured Americans that it is safe to eat was the FDA website! I realize that it has never been proven that by consuming small amounts of it directly leads to any neurological disorder or physical impairments, but why eat something that is as questionable as this? If you want to be really alarmed and horrified then click here.
And here.
I have tried to remove it completely from our diets just to be completely safe. A few years back, my friend Mya gave me a homemade dry mix for ranch dressing. I couldn’t believe how much like the brand name it tasted. I had thought it would be impossible to replicate the flavor, but I was wrong! Here’s the recipe – try it and see for yourself!
And here.
I have tried to remove it completely from our diets just to be completely safe. A few years back, my friend Mya gave me a homemade dry mix for ranch dressing. I couldn’t believe how much like the brand name it tasted. I had thought it would be impossible to replicate the flavor, but I was wrong! Here’s the recipe – try it and see for yourself!
Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix
15 GF crackers (size of a saltine – and not crispy rice crackers, but one with a softer crumb)
2 cups parsley flakes
1/2 cup minced onion
2 Tbsp dry dill
1/4 cup onion salt
1/4 cup onion powder
1/4 cup garlic salt
1/4 cup garlic powder
Place crackers in blender (a food processor would probably work fine as well) and blend until powdered. Add parsley, dill, and minced onion and blend until powdered again. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Store in an airtight container.
To make dressing:
Mix 1 Tbsp dry mix with 1 cup GF mayonnaise and 1 cup buttermilk. Shake well.
You can also mix with sour cream or yogurt to make a thicker dip for veggies and chips.
Thank you, Mya. And congrats on little Madeleine! 🙂
I’ll have to try this out…Maybe buy the ingredients using NEXT WEEK’S envelope 🙂 I have been buying the Whole Foods brand of ranch and we all really like it…but, it’s 3.99 a bottle and the bottle isn’t big! Thanks for sharing!
I can’t wait to try it. Ranch was one thing we couldn’t eat msg – the taste of the others were just bad. Even the organic ranch packs were bad. Do you use dehydrated onion or just cup up onion?
I meant we could eat it msg free
Sorry
I definitely believe msg is bad for you. It’s the trigger for one gluten-free friend’s migraines. I still occasionally get some in foods, but try to avoid it. Anyway, this recipe looks terrific. I just love homemade salad dressings. 🙂
Thanks, Melanie,
Shirley
Hi Christy – use dry minced onion! Hope you guys are well! 🙂
We’ve been trying to eliminate msg from our diets for awhile now…I think we’re doing good but it’s so hard at times! Thanks for posting this recipe. Do you have any suggestions for italian dressing? That’s the one we eat the most.