Maqluba مقلوبة

Maqluba is Palestine’s ultimate one-pot showstopper — flipped upside down to reveal golden layers of spiced meat, veggies, and rice. Bold, comforting, and made to impress.

Great

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Prep the Eggplants: Cut eggplants into circles, then slice each circle in half. Lay them out on a large tray and sprinkle with salt.

Step 2

Peel and cut potatoes into pieces similar in size to the eggplant slices.

Step 3

Finely chop the garlic and sauté in a large pot with a bit of ghee or oil until fragrant (about 30 seconds).

Step 4

Add 2 tsp allspice, 2 tsp cinnamon, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 2/4 tsp cumin, 2/4 tsp turmeric, 3 cardamom pods, and 2 bay leaves.

Step 5

Add the meat (lamb, chicken legs, beef, or other) to the pot and coat it in the spices. Cook for 3–6 minutes until lightly browned.

Step 6

Pour in 6 cups of water and 3 cups of broth (chicken broth with chicken, beef broth with beef or lamb) (2:1 water-to-broth ratio).

Step 7

Simmer the meat lightly, simmer length is based on meat type. (Chicken MIN: 20-25 mins) (Lamb MIN: 1.5-2 hours) (Beef MIN: 1.5-2 hours)

Step 8

Fry the potato slices in oil (preferably pure olive oil).

Step 9

Chop the cauliflower and carrots, then fry those aswell.

Step 10

Pat dry the salted eggplants and fry those aswell.

Step 11

Once the meat is cooked, remove it from the broth and briefly fry it for extra flavor and texture.

Step 12

Strain the broth and pour it into a separate pot to remove any spices or bits.

Step 13

Layer the fired vegetables and meat in the pot in the following order (bottom to top). potatoes -> cauliflower and carrots -> eggplants -> cooked meat.

Step 14

Add 2 cups of soaked rice over the layered ingredients. Pour in the broth (and extra water if needed) until the liquid covers the rice by about 1 inch.

Step 15

Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and cover. Cook for 15 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked then uncover for another 15 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed/evaporated.

Step 16

If there’s any remaining water at the bottom, tilt the pot slightly and baste to remove water.

Step 17

Let the pot sit for 5–10 minutes. Place a large serving platter on top of the pot, hold tightly, and flip it over to unmold the maqluba.