Travelling through Egypt this past summer introduced me to some amazing foods. However, it also introduced me to Maggi. Every single time (and I am not exaggerating) I asked someone for a recipe of a dish we just devoured, it included a Maggi cube. We had this awesome rice that was golden brown in color, and dotted with sautéed chicken liver. I had never had it before, but here I was having it at three different family members’ homes. The last time I ate it, I asked how it was made – “oh, it’s simple. Sauté 3 Maggi cubes insamna(ghee) before adding in the rice and…..” GULP. Yes, THREE Maggi cubes. Do you know how bad for you ONE lil’ maggi cube is, let alone three?!
Oh, little brown cube, how nasty you are but how delicious you make food taste! Let me tell you a bit more about the beloved lil’ brown cube. After salt being the first ingredient, meaning the cube is comprised mostly of salt, the second ingredient ishydrogenatedpalm oil. While we know that partially hydrogenated oil is indeeddangerous to our health(thinktrans fats), there isdebateas to the effect of fully hydrogenated oils. What we do know, is that these fats should be kept to a minimum, if not entirely eliminated. So two ingredients in, and we already find the Maggi cube to be a bit sketchy.
Now let us turn to the third ingredient – what I refer to as the “evil” ingredient – in Maggi: monosodium glutamate, also known as MSG. Have you ever heard of the fifth taste,umami? I first heard of it when watching Top Chef. When MSG was first created and added to food, it could not be described as sweet, salty, sour, or bitter. The world ended up with the new, fifth flavor sense ofumami. This flavor generally hasno translation, but can only be described as “pleasant,” “brothy,” “meaty,” or “long lasting, mouthwatering and coating sensation over the tongue.” Sounds pretty damn good, huh?
But BEWARE! Consumption of MSG has beenlinkedto everything from migraines,liver inflammation, attention deficits, and even diseases such as fibromyalgia. Further, some people may feel the effects of MSG right away, while others feel a cumulative effect over time. This is the scary part, because thelistof foods containing MSG is shocking. Will using one evil-MSG-filled cube of Maggi kill you? No, but using it regularly, over time, coupled with the millions of other products containing MSG surely cannot be good for you. This cannot be good news for the millions across the world that consume Maggi regularly.
The problem here is that the Middle East simply does not sell chicken broth. Here in the UAE, I have never once seen chicken broth sold at the grocery stores, not even at the high end shops. In the United States, I used to happily truck over to Costco and buy a box of 6 cartons of organic chicken broth. I had no idea what a luxury that was. In Abu Dhabi, you see aisles filled with cartons of Maggi with consumers grabbing a carton along with milk and eggs – it has become a staple in Middle Eastern cooking.
ENTER SIMPLE SOLUTION – Make your own broth. It is so easy; it shouldn’t even be called a recipe. It was more of an assembly of sorts – a laSandra Leestyle (although don’t get me started on her “cooking.”). This recipe uses a small, whole chicken. After I finished the broth, I pulled off the meat and added it to a biryani. Additionally, I use a mastic crystal – if you do not have any, you do not need it, but it does add a nice, unique “umami” flavor to the broth (5 points for me for using the wordumamiin a sentence- ha!). We plan on doing a spotlight post on mastic soon. I also used my trusty pressure cooker – makes life that much more simple. Now, I know that when you have a recipe that requires chicken broth, it is tempting to reach for the Maggi cube, but try making this and freezing it. Every time you use homemade broth instead of a Maggi cube, an angel (or your family member) doesn’t get a migraine….
FAQs
Iodized Salt, Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Wheat Flour, Sugar, Yeast Extract, Corn Seasoning (Cornstarch, Salt), Chicken Fat, Natural Flavors (Onion, Coriander),Chicken Meat powder, Onion Powder, Natural Spices and Herbs (Turmeric, Parsley, Cumin, Cardamom powder, Ground Black pepper), Malt extract. Contains Gluten and Soya.
Can I use Maggi instead of chicken stock? ›
MAGGI Chicken Stock Cubes are not only a tasty and easy substitute for regular chicken broth but also a fantastic option for anybody trying to cut back on their meat consumption without compromising flavour.
How do you use Maggi chicken stock cubes? ›
Usage of Chicken Cubes
Just dissolve 2 cubes of MAGGI® Chicken Stock into 1 liter of boiling water to make the broth. It has just the right balance of salt so we recommend not adding extra salt. You can use it for all your favorite rice and stew dishes and almost all your everyday dishes.
Is chicken bouillon bad for you? ›
Chicken bouillon is typically very high in sodium, with some types packing 42% of the recommended daily value (DV) in a single 1-cup (237-mL) serving ( 1 ). Consuming high amounts of sodium may increase water retention and blood pressure levels, especially in those who are more sensitive to the effects of salt ( 2 ).
What is the secret ingredient of Maggi? ›
Maggi Masala is a unique blend of spices that give Maggi noodles their signature flavor. The exact recipe is a trade secret, but it is known to contain a variety of spices, including coriander, cumin, fennel, turmeric, red chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, ginger powder, and salt.
Is Maggi the same as bouillon? ›
It's a testament to the reach and ubiquity of the Nestle brand, arguably the most notable brand of bouillon cubes—just as many people call a tissue a Kleenex, so do many people call bouillon cubes Maggi.
Is Maggi chicken stock healthy? ›
🐓Maggi cubes are made from carefully selected ingredients, which have been approved by regulatory authorities. 🐓They are safe and pose no danger to the health of consumers.
Does Maggi bouillon have MSG? ›
Maggi cubes are made from carefully selected ingredients. Each cube contains iodised salt, sugar, chilli, pepper, cloves, cassava, onion, corn starch, monosodium glutamate (MSG), palm oil, soya lecithin, color caramel, and lovage. In some countries, the cube does not contain cassava, but fermented soy beans.
What makes Maggi different from others? ›
MAGGI® Noodles manufactured in India do not contain pig fat/pork. Except for the MAGGI® Chicken Noodles, which is the only non-vegetarian variant available under the MAGGI® 2-Minute Noodles line, all other variants are completely vegetarian.
What is difference between chicken broth and chicken stock? ›
Stock is generally made from bones, and broth is generally made from flesh. In both cases, they are often supported with aromatic vegetables, but in the case of stock, left unseasoned for maximum flexibility in recipes, whereas broth will usually contain at least salt and pepper.
How many Maggi cubes should I use when cooking? When preparing a meal for six persons, you should use two Maggi tablets or five cubes in total. This provides the equivalent of 30 percent of the recommended daily intake for salt.
Is chicken broth bad for you? ›
Is Chicken Broth Healthy? Chicken broth is packed with essential nutrients, making it a healthy addition to your diet. It is low in calories and fat, yet high in protein, vitamins, and minerals. The collagen and amino acids found in chicken broth can also promote healthy digestion, joint health, and immune function.
What are the healthiest stock cubes? ›
- Asda Extra Special Concentrated Vegetable Stock, 0.38g salt per 250g container (fresh)
- Kallo Organic Beef Stock, Very Low Salt, 0.5g salt per cube.
- Oxo Reduced Salt Chicken Stock Cubes, 0.81g salt per cube.
- Sainsbury's Chicken Stock, 0.9 salt per 450g container (fresh)
Compared to homemade chicken broth, chicken bouillon contains fewer calories, but also has lower amounts of protein and essential minerals.
What is Maggi liquid made of? ›
Hydrolysed Vegetable Protein (Water, Wheat Protein, Salt), Water, Flavourings, Flavour Enhancers (Monosodium Glutamate, Disodium Inosinate), Salt, Sugar. For allergens, including cereals containing gluten, see ingredients in bold.
What ingredients is Maggi made of? ›
Maggi cubes are made from carefully selected ingredients. Each cube contains iodised salt, sugar, chilli, pepper, cloves, cassava, onion, corn starch, monosodium glutamate (MSG), palm oil, soya lecithin, color caramel, and lovage.
What is chicken Maggi made of? ›
Tastemaker: Mixed Spices (22%) (Dehydrated Onion, Dried Garlic, Red Chilli Powder, Black Pepper Powder, Capsicum Extract, Turmeric Powder, Nutmeg Powder, Coriander Extract, Cumin Extract), Sugar, Refined Wheat Flour (Maida), Iodised Salt, Starch, Chicken Meat (5.7%), Palm Oil, Thickener (508), Chicken Fat (2.3%), ...
