I call my food HER when it looks pretty.  ‘She pretty!’ And girl, when you add roses to anything it just makes a person happy. 

In anticipation of Mother’s Day, I decided to make my mom’s rice pudding.  It makes me feel more connected with her when I can’t physically see her now that she’s taken residence in heaven.

My mom’s rice pudding is a happy place for this MENA girl (Middle Eastern North African).  I just gave it a little ‘rehab’ and boosted the macros, lowered the sugar and made it healthy enough to have for breakfast. I love dessert for breakfast 🙂 

Truth is, right now I’m prepping for my second bikini competition, so while I can have rice, I really needed to take the protein up and fat burning power of my food – and so should you.  Protein is comprised of essential amino acids and we need those to build lean muscle mass and stoke our metabolisms more effectively.  I also add my new fat burning ‘secret weapon‘ to utilizing stored fat more efficiently with CLAs + Collagen.  I mix a tablespoon into each serving and voila! Not only does it taste great, but it triggers my body to start working.  Since I started using it regularly, I have dropped about 3% body fat in 6 weeks.  I’m seeing my abs clearly defined again – at 55, I’m happy to see them.

Also, starting the day with a good amount of protein sets you on up on the right fork, and you’ll get over 25 grams* per serving with this recipe!

Adding these dried rose petals just makes it so much prettier and yes, functional.  Did you know that roses have been eaten in the Middle East for thousands of years? They’re rich in antioxidants and help to prevent cardiovascular disease.  And they add the most beautiful, subtle essence that feels like a hug from my mom.   

Rose petals are also considered an aphrodisiac so just be careful who you share your pudding with, babe. 

Gluten-free, protein-rich, nutrient-dense – and only sweetened with stevia. 

Now, I’m currently OBSESSED with these containers that look like vintage glass but have a wooden top, and come with adorable golden spoons.  Listen, I didn’t grow up with a silver spoon but I don’t mind eating from a gold one! 🙂 You can grab them HERE.  

This comes together easily and only takes about 30 minutes if you have your rice cooked already.  Follow the recipe and let me know if you’d like MORE Middle Eastern love. I have many of them in my book, linked below. 

Make this for the mothers you love in your love, or add it to your meal prep rotation.

And remember, life is short.  Celebrate the people you love, and eat the pretty food that feeds you to the core.   xxChefMareya 

Dry rose petals by allowing them to sit on a paper towel and air dry for a few days

Middle Eastern-Style Rice Pudding

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked rice (I used basmati but short grain works, too) 
• 2 cups water 
• 1 cup nonfat milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon  
• 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder* (mine is 25 g protein per serving)
• 2 teaspoons liquid vanilla stevia
• Crushed walnuts and unsweetened shredded coconut for topping 
• a teaspoon of dried rose petals (I picked some from my garden and let them dry on a paper towel for a few days; you can also use a teaspoon of rose water in the pudding for that rose essence – but the petals are pretty!)

Directions:

• In a medium saucepan, heat cooked rice with water and nonfat milk.  Stir well and cook over medium low heat until rice has plumped up, about 10 minutes.  
• Add vanilla extract and cinnamon and cook for another 10 minutes over low heat.
• Remove from heat.  Make a slurry with the protein powder (just add a little water and whisk until it becomes a paste) and mix into rice pudding.  Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes while rice kernels continue to absorb mixture and cool.  When finished, mix in 1 tablespoon of my fat burning ‘secret weapon‘, vanilla.  You can use mango or any other flavor, too, and i’m sure it will be delish!
• Top each container with a spoon of crushed walnuts, shredded coconut and a pinch of dried rose petals.  Add a little more cinnamon to the top.