Comments on: Quick and (almost) Plastic-Free Broth / Soup Base Tip

By: BarbaraCrljen

BarbaraCrljen — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 09:47:33 +0000

Great tip for veggie scraps. I have one for storage — why take up room in your freezer — bottle your broth hot and store in the cupboard – re-uee jars from other productis – the best are the ones that have the little pop button in the middle of the lid — that way you can ensure that what you have bottle is vaccum sealed — if you use flat lids it can be guess work as to whether they sealed effectively — if any lids are faulty, have a dint or such and do not suck in the pop top — you know to either use soon or store that broth another way. Thanks for the great tips and discussions.

By: D.C.

D.C. — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 22:41:13 +0000

I know people already mentioned the hidden MSG present and making your own broth, but I thought this added some interesting points about Better than Bouillon: http://www.foodrenegade.com/decoding-labels-better-than-bouillon/
I still have some and I’m not about to chuck it, in case of broth emergency. Now, though, I made my own bone broth and freeze some for back up. Plastic free whole food strategy!

By: audrey

audrey — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:56:42 +0000

Sorry to inform you all, but this product line DOES have MSG in it. Some of their versions (the organic) don’t necessarily have ADDED MSG. I see that in the Vegetarian No Chicken Base, the 3rd ingredient is hydrolyzed protein which is one of MSG’s hidden names (any hydrolyzed protein contains MSG)

It also includes Autolyzed Yeast extract which is yet another hidden name for something including MSG in it (they don’t have to report MSG in it since it’s only a part of these other ingredients, it’s just not PURE MSG).

It also includes maltrodextrin, which for people who are sensitive to MSG will also react.

But the organic one seems to be good

By: kathleen

kathleen — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 02:31:25 +0000

I love this stuff. I found it in my local grocery a few years ago and it is now a staple in my kitchen.

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 15:49:37 +0000

I love this product. We have used it for years and we are very happy with it. And after we use up the paste then we put spices or other things in the jar. *grin*

By: gfveg

gfveg — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 20:15:21 +0000

i have survived for twenty two years as a vegetarian partly because of this product. well ok i exaggerate bc i dont think it was around when i began. but i love it. super time saver.

By: Lara S.

Lara S. — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 02:33:18 +0000

MSG free!! That would be heaven for me, since I just started eating soup for dinner as a part of my weight loss plan. I hate MSG, so I make the broth myself with the veggies of the soup, but since I cook only for myself and share the fridge I can’t buy a huge variety of veggies, which would make a tasty broth. So my soup is pretty lame. Here in Argentina all the broths available have MSG, so I’ll try to find a good recipe for homemade broth that doesn’t require a thousand ingredients.

I’m really concerned about MSG in Argentina, people buy all kinds of artificial flavors that are packed with it, and use it in their homemade foods. They use basil cubes (with MSG) instead of basil!! It’s gross.

By: Becky

Becky — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 02:56:20 +0000

Hey, for all of you concerned about MSG, I have bad news. MSG goes by a LOT of names, and almost all broths and boullions have it– yeast extract, anything autolyzed or hydrolyzed. Food labels are allowed to say “no MSG” or “no MSG added” if it goes by these other names. Also, “natural flavor” could be MSG, but isn’t necessarily. Whole Foods makes broth in the carton that is actually MSG-free, but I’m not sure if they have any plastic-free alternatives. Does anybody know?

By: Kristy

Kristy — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 23:42:56 +0000

One of my favourite things in my quest to buy less stuff and make more stuff from stratch is the stock bag! I keep a bag in the freezer and whenever I am cooking I throw in anything that would be good for stock – carrot tops, the outer laters of onion, bits of garlic, pumpkin skins, ginger skin, chilli ends, basically anything that would otherwise go in the compost but is good for stock. When the bag gets full I grab a few extras from the garden like bay leaves or kaffir lime leaves, make stock and freeze it in portions.

Its not salty like commercial stock but I just put in a pinch of salt when cooking :)

By: Katie M

Katie M — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 04:07:51 +0000

What wonderful ideas, and now i am super-inspired to make my own broth or bullion! I have been composting all my veggie scraps, but now i see a second life for them before composting.

For bullion, I have been using “Edward & Sons” http://www.edwardandsons.com/es_shop_bouillon.itml
cardboard box & foil wrapper, no MSG.
I have tried the not-chick’n and the veggie, bought the not-beef but have yet to try it.

upon inspection of the box just now, i see that it is a product of Switzerland so that will actually weigh a little heavier in my decision to purchase it again.
Hopefully If i can start making and freezing my own I won’t need to!