Maqluba (Upside-Down Rice with Chicken and Eggplant)
Local name: مقلوبة
In short: Chicken, roasted eggplant, cauliflower and spiced rice cooked in one pot, then flipped onto a platter to show golden layers on top. It takes about 2 h 10 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 1 h 30 min
- Total
- 2 h 10 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 640 kcal
Maqluba means upside down, and the moment the pot is flipped is the best part of the meal. Layers of chicken, eggplant and cauliflower go in first, then spiced rice, then stock, and everything cooks together before the pot is turned over onto a platter. In Palestinian homes it is a Friday and holiday dish. Serve it with yogurt and a cucumber and tomato salad.
Instructions
- Put the chicken in a pot with the onion, cinnamon, cardamom, bay leaves, salt and water. Bring to a boil, skim, then simmer for 35 minutes until the chicken is tender. Lift out the chicken and strain the stock. Measure 700 ml (3 cups) and keep it hot.
- Heat the oven to 220°C (425°F). Brush the eggplant and cauliflower with the olive oil and roast on trays for 25 minutes, turning once, until golden.
- Oil the base and sides of a 26 cm (10 in) heavy pot. Overlap the tomato slices on the bottom, then arrange the chicken, eggplant and cauliflower in layers.
- Mix the drained rice with the allspice, cinnamon, turmeric and salt and spread it evenly over the vegetables. Press it down gently.
- Pour the hot stock slowly down the side of the pot. Bring to a boil, cover and cook on low heat for 35 to 40 minutes, until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Rest the pot off the heat for 15 minutes. Run a knife around the edge, place a large platter on top and flip the pot in one firm movement. Wait 5 minutes, lift the pot away and scatter with pine nuts and parsley.
Tips
- Roasting the vegetables instead of frying cuts the oil and keeps the layers firm. Salt the eggplant for 15 minutes and pat it dry if it tastes bitter.
- Rest the pot before flipping so the layers set. Lamb pieces, extra carrots or sliced potato on the bottom are common variations.
Questions and answers
Why did my maqluba fall apart?
Usually too much liquid or not enough resting time. Measure the stock, press the rice down and give the pot 15 minutes off the heat before flipping.
Can I make maqluba ahead?
Cook the stock and roast the vegetables a day ahead. Assemble and cook the pot on the day for the best flip.
Can I make maqluba vegetarian?
Yes. Skip the chicken and use vegetable stock, adding extra vegetables such as carrots, potatoes and zucchini.
How long does it take to make Maqluba (Upside-Down Rice with Chicken and Eggplant)?
About 2 h 10 min in total: 40 min of preparation and 1 h 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Maqluba (Upside-Down Rice with Chicken and Eggplant)?
About 640 kcal per serving, with 30 g of protein, 64 g of carbohydrates and 28 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 640 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 30 g |
| Carbohydrates | 64 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 880 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
