Maqluba (Upside-Down Layered Rice) Recipe | Metropolitan Market (2024)

Maqluba (Upside-Down Layered Rice) Recipe | Metropolitan Market (1)

Maqluba (Upside-Down Layered Rice) Recipe | Metropolitan Market (2)

Serves 6 to 8

Maqluba, in Arabic, means upside-down. This layered rice and vegetable dish is a showstopper! It is traditionally served in Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, and Syria. Don't be intimidated by the number of steps—it's actually pretty easy and well worth the effort. Find fried onions for the garnish in the grocery aisle; they add bothcrunchandflavor.

Ingredients:

  • 1 large russet potato, peeled and cubed (1 1/2 cups)
  • 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided use
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 large eggplant, cubed (2 cups)
  • 2 cups basmati rice
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced (1 1/2 cups)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Seeds from 5 cardamom pods
  • 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
  • 2 teaspoons ground allspice
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 pound ground lamb or beef (omit for a vegetarian version)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 3 -4 large tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
  • 3 cups unsalted chicken or vegetable broth, room temperature (plus up to 1 cup more, if needed, as rice cooks)
  • OPTIONAL:
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves or cilantro
  • 1/4 cup crispy fried onions

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Place cubed potato on lined baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast 10 minutes. Add eggplant, drizzle with another 1 tablespoon oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Return to oven 10 minutes or until vegetables are browned.
  3. While vegetables roast, rinse rice in a strainer. Place rice in a bowl, cover with warm water, and soak 20 minutes. (While rice soaks, proceed to step 4.) After 20 minutes, drain rice and season with 2 1/2 to 3 teaspoons salt.
  4. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 - 2 tablespoons oil. Sauté onion and garlic until soft. Add 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and remaining spices. Cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add ground meat and tomato paste. Stir and cook until meat is no longer pink. Adjust seasoning, to taste. Set aside.
  5. Line bottom of a 3 to 4-quart saucepan with a tight-fitting lid with a circle of parchment paper. Brush 2 tablespoons olive oil over parchment. Arrange slices of tomato over parchment in 2 layers.
  6. Top tomatoes with roasted potatoes and eggplant. Spoon meat mixture over vegetables and press down with the flat bottom of a measuring cup or the back of a large spoon.
  7. Cover with drained rice. Carefully pour 3 cups room-temperature broth over rice, so as not to disrupt the grains. Do not stir.
  8. Bring contents of pot to a gentle boil over high heat. Reduce to a simmer. Cover pot with a sheet of foil. Then place lid over the foil on the pot. Crimp extra foil around the rim where the lid meets the pan to seal in the steam. Simmer gently 15 minutes.
  9. Remove foil and lid. Carefully fluff just the top layer of rice, stirring center grains to the outside for even cooking. Re-cover with foil and lid and cook another 25 minutes. Check doneness of rice. If it's not yet cooked through, fluff again and add a little more broth. Simmer gently 5 to 10 minutes longer or until rice is tender. Remove from heat and set aside 10 to 20 minutes before inverting.
  10. Place a large, rimmed platter over the top of the pan. Protect your hands with oven mitts. In one swift motion, hold the platter in place and carefully invert the maqluba onto the platter. Carefully remove the pan. Garnish with pine nuts, parsley, and fried onions. Cut into wedges and serve warm.
  11. Cook's Tip:
  12. If your maqluba falls apart as you invert it, don't worry. Garnish and enjoy ? it will taste just as good! You can also present it in a beautiful bowl for an elegant presentation.

Nutrition:

Amount Per Serving (based on 8 servings)

Calories: 450

Fat: 21 g

Saturated Fat: 7 g

Trans Fat: 1 g

Cholesterol: 40 mg

Sodium: 440 mg

Carbohydrates: 51 g

Fiber: 3 g

Sugar: 4 g

Added Sugars: 0 g

Protein: 256 g

We provide nutritional information for our delicious recipes to help you select foods that meet your health and lifestyle goals. Care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of recipes and information. Nutritional data is intended for educational purposes, and not for the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, or cure of any medical condition. Please consult your healthcare provider for specific advice on diet and health. Click here to learn how we analyze the nutritional value of our recipes.

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Maqluba (Upside-Down Layered Rice) Recipe | Metropolitan Market (2024)

FAQs

Is maqluba Palestinian or Jordanian? ›

Maqluba or makloubeh is a Middle Eastern upside down chicken and rice dish that's served in various permutations across the Levant. It's often referred to as the national dish of Palestine and it's something I grew up eating.

How to not burn maqluba? ›

You can cook maqluba on stove top too. Just layer everything in your pot as directed including the parchment paper, do not worry it will not burn, then bring to a boil over medium high heat then reduce heat to low, cover and continue to cook until done.

What country is maqluba from? ›

Maqluba
Alternative namesMaaluba, maqlouba, maqlooba, maqloubeh, makluba, maklouba, makloubeh, magluba, maglouba
Place of originJordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Iraq
Region or stateLevant, Mesopotamia
Associated cuisineLevantine (Jordanian, Lebanese, Palestinian, Syrian), Iraqi
Serving temperatureHot
4 more rows

What is maqluba spice made of? ›

If you want to make your own premix spice, mix 1 teaspoon turmeric with ½ teaspoon ginger, 1 teaspoon all spice, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves, ½ teaspoon ground cardamom, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon mild curry powder, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon cumin (this is what I prefer).

Where did Palestinian DNA come from? ›

Archaeologic and genetic data support that both Jews and Palestinians came from the ancient Canaanites, who extensively mixed with Egyptians, Mesopotamian, and Anatolian peoples in ancient times. Thus, Palestinian-Jewish rivalry is based in cultural and religious, but not in genetic, differences.

What is the difference between maqluba and biryani? ›

Biryani is a mixed rice dish layered with meat, vegetables, and a blend of spices, while maqluba is an upside-down rice casserole with meat and vegetables.

What is Palestine's national dish? ›

Introduction. Musakhan the national dish of Palestine, is a traditional dish composed of roasted chicken that is baked with onions, spices and fried pines nuts, then served on Taboon bread. It is simple to make and even more delicious to eat–making it one of the most popular Arabic Palestinian dishes.

Is maqluba the national dish of Iraq? ›

Maqluba is the national dish of Palestine, but it can also be found in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan. This layered one-pot dish has many versions, but the basic principle is to turn it upside down before serving, which is what the word maqluba means.

What is the translation of maqluba? ›

Maqluba, which literally means "upside down" in Arabic, is like a Middle Eastern savory version of an upside-down cake, except unlike a cake it's a complete meal that packs carbs, veggies and protein.

What is Lebanon's national dish? ›

The national dish of Lebanon is kibbeh, an emulsified paste of fresh lamb and bulgur wheat with spices. Meat tends to be made into nuggets and charcoaled or stuffed into vegetables. Vegetables are usually the main feature of the meal.

What is the national dish of Jordan? ›

Mansaf — lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yogurt and served with rice or bulgur — is Jordan's national dish, and it makes an appearance at every significant gathering, be it a wedding or a funeral.

What are the Lebanese 7 spices? ›

Stir black pepper, cumin, paprika, coriander, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cardamom together until evenly blended. Store in an airtight container.

How to reheat maklouba? ›

This container can then be stored in the refrigerator. For reheating, you have a couple of options. If you prefer the stove, gently heat the Maqluba in a pot over medium-low heat until it's thoroughly warmed.

What spices do Palestinians use? ›

Palestinian Foods and Spices

The primary spices that the Palestinians uses for their dishes include turmeric, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. Depending on the area, people eat rice, kibbe, taboon bread, seafood, lentils, olives and chili peppers.

Are the Palestinians Jordanians? ›

Palestinians in Jordan refers mainly to those with Palestinian refugee status currently residing there. Sometimes the definition includes Jordanian citizens with full Palestinian origin. Most Palestinian ancestors came to Jordan as Palestinian refugees between 1947 and 1967.

Where did Makloubi come from? ›

Origins and Cultural Significance

Makloubeh has a rich history dating back centuries, with its roots firmly planted in the Levant region, which includes countries such as Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. This dish is often associated with communal gatherings, festive celebrations, and family feasts.

Is Mansaf a Palestinian food? ›

Mansaf is popular in Palestine and across the Middle East, but it originated in Jordan! This traditional dish is quintessential of bedouins and is considered the national dish of Jordan. As musakhan is considered the national dish of Palestine. The dish maqoubeh is also popular and is served at big gatherings.

What fruit is native to Palestine? ›

Many wild fruit trees bloom in spring, such as olives, almonds, wild plums, peaches, pears, figs, and medlars, whereas loquats, pomegranates, and others bloom in summer. In the south, acacia trees and the prickly sabra cactus suck moisture from the desert.

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