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
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 much water do you put in 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.
Does MAGGI chicken cubes contain 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.
Is Maggie a chicken broth? ›
Product Description. A ready to use rich chicken broth in liquid format that matches what you would make at home. It only includes 100% natural ingredients that you love and that are slowly cooked to give you the rich broth you seek.
Is Maggi the same as chicken bouillon? ›
There are several different brands of chicken bouillon cubes which essentially does the same thing. The Maggie brand is my favorite compared to others. Haitians in general will refer to any kind of bouillon cube as "maggie".
Is Maggi the same as bouillon? ›
Seasoned Cubes are known by many names such as Maggi Cubes, Bouillon Cubes, Masala Cubes, Beef Stock, Chicken Stock, etc. But there are reasons why you wouldn't want to use them anymore.
How many Maggi cubes does it take to make stock? ›
Typically, one cube is enough to season about two cups (475 ml) of water or broth.
Is Maggi chicken cubes 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. 🐓It consists of chicken, salt, onion, cumin, turmeric, black pepper, cardamom and parsley.
Does Maggi chicken bouillon have MSG? ›
A Maggi bouillon provides around 0.1-0.3 grams of MSG per portion.
What are the side effects of monosodium glutamate in Maggi? ›
Is it dangerous if consumed in excess? Excess consumption of MSG promotes sluggishness in the body. It may also cause headache, nausea, increased thirst and a twitching sensation in the mouth. In some cases one may feel numbness, skin rashes and excessive sweating too.
More than 120 years of Delicious Meals
The MAGGI brand originated in Switzerland. It was founded in 1884, when Swiss entrepreneur Julius Maggi had a vision: to make good-tasting and nutritious food accessible to busy, working families.
Which Maggi does not have MSG? ›
Maggi Chicken Base, Stock and Bouillon, Gluten Free, No MSG, Bulk 1 lb. Container (Pack of 6)
What's the 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.
Is Swanson chicken stock the same as chicken broth? ›
A: Good Morning, Stock is made by slow-cooking a variety of vegetables, olive oil and bones or boney pieces of meat, then strained. Broth includes the skin or fat of the animal plus additional vegetables and meaty pieces for flavor.
What's the difference between chicken broth and chicken broth soup? ›
Broth is made from the chicken flesh, but not bones. It may have a good chicken flavor, but will lack the mouthfeel of a stock, and remains liquid when chilled. Soup is made from either broth or stock and generally is the finished product with added meat, vegetables and noodles or rice.
What should I use instead of chicken stock? ›
Vegetable broth is a simple one-to-one substitute that can stand in just about anywhere. This broth is made by steeping vegetables or vegetable scraps—and sometimes spices—instead of chicken in water.
How do I substitute chicken stock? ›
Vegetable broth: This is the most common and versatile substitute for chicken broth. It has a similar flavor profile, so it can be used in most recipes without any major changes. To substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth, simply use a 1:1 ratio.
What can you use instead of chicken stock? ›
What to Substitute for Chicken Broth
- Beef Broth. ...
- Water. ...
- White Wine. ...
- Chicken Bouillon Granules. ...
- Crushed Canned White Beans. ...
- Dashi. ...
- Aquafaba (Canned Chickpea Liquid) ...
- Vegetable Stock.
Typically, one cube is enough to season about two cups (475 ml) of water or broth.
