Palestinian Maqluba with Eggplant and Yogurt Sauce

Name: Palestinian Maqluba with Eggplant and Yogurt Sauce
Prep time: 2 h
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Whole chicken; Olive oil; Ground cumin; Ground cinnamon; Ground allspice; Ground turmeric; Salt and pepper; Basmati rice; Eggplants; Cauliflower florets; Potatoes; Onion; Chicken broth; Plain yogurt; Garlic; Salt; Dried mint; Vegetable oil; Fresh parsley; Toasted pine nuts

A Classic Palestinian Upside-Down Rice Dish

Maqluba is a hearty and aromatic Middle Eastern dish, expertly layered with rice, eggplant, and tender chicken, served with a tangy yogurt sauce.

2 h
6
Intermediate

Ingredients

Chicken Marinade

Whole chicken

about 3 lbs, cut into pieces

Olive oil

2 tablespoons

Ground cumin

1 teaspoon

Ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon

Ground allspice

1 teaspoon

Ground turmeric

½ teaspoon

Salt and pepper

to taste

Rice and Vegetables

Basmati rice

2 cups, rinsed and soaked for 30 minutes

Eggplants

3 large, sliced into ½-inch rounds

Cauliflower florets

2 cups

Potatoes

2 large, peeled and sliced

Onion

1 large, thinly sliced

Chicken broth

3 cups

Yogurt Sauce

Plain yogurt

2 cups

Garlic

2 cloves, minced

Salt

to taste

Dried mint

a pinch

Frying and Garnishing

Vegetable oil

½ cup for frying

Fresh parsley

chopped

Toasted pine nuts

Preparation

Marinating the Chicken

Combine Marinade Ingredients

Combine olive oil, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, turmeric, salt, and pepper in a bowl.

Rub Chicken

Rub the mixture evenly over the chicken pieces.

Marinate

Let marinate for at least 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight for best results.

Preparing the Vegetables and Rice

Fry Eggplants

Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan. Fry eggplant slices until golden, then remove and drain on paper towels.

Ensure vegetables are drained well after frying to avoid excess oil in the final dish.

Fry Potatoes and Cauliflower

Fry potatoes and cauliflower in the same oil until golden, then drain.

Soak Rice

Rinse and soak rice while preparing other ingredients.

Let the rice soak for an extra 10 minutes for fluffier grains.

Cooking Process

Assemble the Maqluba

Layer the pot with chicken pieces, followed by fried eggplant, cauliflower, potatoes, and onion. Top with soaked rice.

Simmer

Pour chicken broth over the top until it just covers the rice. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat.

Cook

Simmer covered for 45 minutes until all liquid is absorbed and rice is cooked.

Plating & Serving