World Flavors Cookbook

Maqluba (Upside-Down Rice)

Name: Maqluba (Upside-Down Rice)
Cook time: 60 min
Cuisine: Syria
Ingredients: 2 cups long-grain rice 1 whole chicken or 500g lamb chunks 1 large eggplant, sliced and fried 1 cauliflower, cut into florets and fried 2 tomatoes, sliced Spices: cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, allspice Toasted pine nuts for garnish

A spectacular layered dish of rice, meat, and vegetables that is flipped upside-down before serving.

Cuisine: Syria

Ingredients

2 cups long-grain rice 1 whole chicken or 500g lamb chunks 1 large eggplant, sliced and fried 1 cauliflower, cut into florets and fried 2 tomatoes, sliced Spices: cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, allspice Toasted pine nuts for garnish

Instructions

Cook the meat with aromatics until tender. In a large pot, layer the tomato slices, then the fried eggplant and cauliflower, then the cooked meat. Top with the rinsed rice. Pour the strained meat broth over the rice. Cook on low heat until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Let it rest for 10 minutes. Place a large serving platter over the pot and quickly flip it. Garnish with pine nuts.