Best Maqluba Food

MAQLUBA (MAKLOUBEH) WITH LAMB (ARABIC RICE DISH)

Steps:

• Start by preheating the oven to 450F
• Wash the eggplant and peel it every other stripe as shown in the ingredients photo. Cut into into thick slices, about half an inch thick
• Wash and peel the potatoes, and cut them into roughly half inch thick circles
• Place the eggplant and the potato on a lined baking sheet. Sprinkle them with salt and combine them with the oil (the amounts under the ingredients section). Bake for 30 minutes.
• Wash the meat and sear it on medium high heat using the 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the 3 cups of water and all the whole spices and pressure cook for 10 minutes. If you are not using a pressure cooker, boil on stove top covered on medium heat for 40-60 minutes until tender.
• Cut the onion and pepper into wings or slices. Cook with the oil in a pan over medium heat for 7 minutes until softened. Set aside.
• Once the meat is cooked, remove it and set aside. Strain the stock from the whole spices.
• To the hot stock (in a bowl or a pot), add the turmeric, salt, black pepper and tomato paste. Mix well to combine and add additional water to reach the 5.5 cups required. I do this by using a measuring cup to measure the total amount of stick then top it up with water until I reach 5.5 cups
• Wash the rice several times until the water runs clear. Drain it and set aside
• Cut the tomato into slices
• To layer the maqluba, start by adding 2 tablespoons of oil to the bottom of the pot, then add the tomato slices, followed by eggplant, potato, meat, onions and peppers, then the rice
• Pat the rice down firmly, then pour the stock on top. Pat down again using a wooden spoon to ensure the stock is fully covering the rice
• Place the pot on medium high heat and allow it to start bubbling, which should take 5 minutes or so
• Once it is bubbling, cover it and decrease the heat to low. Ensure the pot is well covered by also adding a towel on top, especially if your pot has any holes. Cook for 50 minutes.
• After 50 minutes, turn heat off and allow maqluba to rest for 5-10 minutes. If you open it and realize your top layer of rice is undercooked or under seasoned, read the troubleshooting section
• When ready to serve, find a large tray with raised edges and place it on top of the pot. Use both hands and place them on each handle while holding the tray down. In a swift motion, flip the pot over (have someone nearby to help you if you need it). Leave the pot flipped over the tray for a few minutes and allow gravity to slowly drop the maqluba
• Lift the pot very slowly to help keep it intact. Serve with yogurt or Jajik and enjoy!

CHICKEN MAQLUBA RECIPE

Steps:

• Add the chicken and water into the pot. Put it into the gas stove and turn on the heat.
• When it is already boiling, remove excess fats or dirt from the boiling chicken using the large spoon. After that, add all the spices and give it a slow stir. Let the chicken cooked for 30 minutes.
• While the chicken is cooking, chop the potatoes, eggplants, and cauliflower to prepare to fry them.
• Add vegetable oil in the separate pan. When it is hot, add the potatoes and fry them till it becomes light brown. After that, fry the rest of the cauliflowers and the eggplants.
• When the chicken is already cooked, separate the chicken from the broth. Dry the chicken first with a kitchen paper towel before frying them in the same pan. This will prevent causing the oil from splashing.
• After all the chicken and the vegetables are fried, start transferring all of them into a new pot.
• To make the first layer, add first the rice (20%), followed by half of the fried vegetables and the chicken. For a second layer, repeat again by putting the rice (20%), followed by the remaining vegetables and the chicken. Lastly, put all the remaining rice (60%) into the pot, and transfer the chicken broth from the old pot into this pot.
• Turn on in high heat and let the pot boil. When the water is fully absorbed, reduce to low heat. Cook for additional 15 minutes.
• Once it is cooked, prepare a large round plate. Bring the pot to the plate and quickly flip into an upside-down position.
• Slowly raise the pot up to have a nice beautiful cake shaped like Maqluba. Garnish it with pine nuts (Optional) and serve with any yogurt and salad.

MAQLUBA RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Slice the eggplant into 2cm thick pieces.
• On a baking tray, put a generous glug of olive oil. Take a slice of eggplant and dip it in the oil, then turning over and dipping again until well covered. Place on the baking tray and repeat for all eggplant slices. Use more olive oil if needed. Bake in the oven until brown.
• On another baking tray, place the lamb chops. Season with salt and pepper. Bake in the oven until brown.
• In a bowl, add the rice, seven spices, salt and pepper. Mix together.
• Grab a deep pot and cut out a circular piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom. Spray the bottom of the bottom with oil and place in your parchment paper.
• Add in your cooked lamb chops, followed by your cooked eggplant slices and then pour over your uncooked rice mixture.
• Add 5 cups of hot water.
• Bring to a boil, half cover with the lid and reduce to a simmer. Let cook for 20 minutes or until all the water has evaporated. Remove the lid.
• Find a large flat plate and place it on top of the pot. Holding onto the plate and pot handles, quickly lift and flip upside down.
• Lift the pot up to reveal your Maklouba and remove the parchment paper.
• Sprinkle pine nuts over and enjoy!

UPSIDE DOWN (MAQLUBA)

Steps:

• Bring to a boil the water, onion, garlic, cinnamon, turmeric, garam masala, salt, and pepper in a large pot. Add the lamb; reduce the heat to low and simmer 15 to 20 minutes. Separate the lamb from the liquid and set aside. Transfer the liquid to a bowl.
• While the lamb mixture simmers, heat the oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Fry the eggplant slices in the hot oil, assuring the pieces do not touch, until brown on both sides; remove to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Use the same procedure to fry the zucchini and the cauliflower. Cook the broccoli in the oil until hot and remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• Layer the lamb into the bottom of the large pot. Arrange the eggplant, zucchini, broccoli, and cauliflower on top of the lamb in layers. Pour the rice over the meat and vegetables, shaking the pot gently to allow the rice to settle into the dish. Pour the reserved cooking liquid from the lamb over the mixture until it is completely covered. Add water if needed.
• Cover the pot and simmer over low heat until the rice is soft and the liquid is absorbed, 30 to 45 minutes. Remove the lid from the pot. Place a large platter over the pot and flip the pot so the dish is "upside down" on the platter. Serve with yogurt on the side.