Maqluba – Upside Down Rice

Maqluba – Upside Down Rice

Maqluba is a traditional dish of the Levant.  It is popular in many countries throughout the Middle East.  A very old recipe, that goes back to the thirteenth century! Like all the fragrant, subtle rice dishes, of the Middle East, the ingredients for Maqluba can also vary from one home to another. However, it’s basically comprised of meat/poultry and various vegetables; which are all cooked under a layer of rice. They are all cooked slowly in a pot,  which is flipped upside-down when served. This is why the dish is called Maqluba, which means “upside-down”. Maqluba is traditionally accompanied by yogurt – cucumber salad.

So my quest to get the best tasting Maqluba prompted me to get on Facebook, with an old friend and neighbor, Muna. Muna is of Palestinian origin. Her father is from Palestine and her mother is from the UK. I was very fond of the Al-Alul sisters, growing up, they were an entertaining lot. not to mention they all had the most beautiful eyes! I remember my mom used to tell me that Mrs. Al-Alul was a great cook too. The ‘compound’ ladies used to get together at least once a week for a potluck back in those days.

Anyways, Muna was very helpful with the tips to make Maqluba (Maklooba, Makloubeh, Maglouba, Ma’aloubeh, and several other variations on these spellings). Muna mentioned that these days, she usually prepares the Vegan version, which I gather, is quite popular too.

Here are some of the tips I got from Muna, to develop a yummy – tasty Maqluba.

Her mom has always used only salt, pepper, and cinnamon for spices, which is how she was taught by Muna’s grandmother. However, Muna was quick to point out that a lot of people (herself included) prefer a bit more spice than that. Just not too much spice though!

The ingredient variation is as follows: ‘Meat and Eggplant’ OR ‘Chicken and Cauliflower’ OR ‘Mixed Meat and Chicken with Mixed Vegetables.  The vegetables must be sliced thick enough and fried patiently to get color on both sides(not cooked through though). The vegetables usually are the same. Tomatoes are only added if sliced thickly and added to the very bottom of the pot. It is more for presentation and to keep the meat from catching on the bottom. Capsicum is not traditional, although newer recipes may include it.

So I have made and loved the simple mincemeat and eggplant maqluba several times before. That was my mom’s recipe. Have yet to share it here. But I was all set to make a yummy Chicken Maqluba this time.. and indeed it turned out yummy.

All I will say is that it is not a recipe, that can be rushed. It is very easy to make, no doubt, but you need to have sufficient time, to proceed with all the steps properly. So don’t start lunch at 11:00 am!

Thanks, Muna:)

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Maqluba – Upside Down Rice

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How to make Maqluba – Upside Down Rice Recipe at a glance:

• Marinate Chicken 1 hour. Soak Rice, if indicated by package instructions30 minutes.
• Prepare spice mix simply by mixing together ground spice at home.
• Prep Vegetables.
• Sear the marinated chicken. Par-fry the vegetables. 20 minutes.
• Prepare the broth.25 minutes.
• Assemble the layers in a pot and add broth.
• Cook covered on low heat. 10 minutes.
• Flip over onto a serving platter.

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Ingredients:

• 1 kg chicken, medium or large bone-in pieces (with skin)
• 4 cups short-grain rice (about 850 gms)
• Half a head of Cauliflower
• 3 large potatoes, peeled and cut into thick slices
• 1 Carrot, cut into medium slices
• 1 large onion(I use Vidalia), chopped
• 8 large cloves garlic, cut into thin slices
• 3-4 Bay leaves
• Sunflower or vegetable oil as needed for shallow frying.
• Salt to taste (about 4 1/2 tsp total)

To marinate Chicken:

• 1 Tbsp Coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 2 Tbsp Ginger and Garlic paste

For Special Maqluba Spice Mix: (all ground/ powdered spices are used )

1. 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
2. 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
3. 1/2 tsp Coriander powder
4. 1/2 tsp Ground Cumin
5. 1/2 tsp Ground Allspice
6. 1/4 tsp Black pepper powder
7. 1/4 tsp Clove powder
8. 1/4 tsp Green cardamom powder

You will need 1 or 2, double-handled pots with tight-fitting lids, A flat non-stick frying pan, and a stockpot or large saucepan for this recipe.

SameVideo is on the Recipe page⇑.

It is recommended that you open the recipe page and keep this page going if you like to WATCH / LISTEN to the video alongside the written instructions.

Key Ingredients: Rice, Chicken, Onion, Garlic, Spice, Potatoes, Cauliflower, Carrot, Oil, Salt.

EAT AND TELL!!! Let us know if you tried – Maqluba – Upside Down Rice