PLANT-BASED Maqluba | Upside down rice

chicken

🥗Healthier: turkey

💰Cheaper: chicken thighs

Turkey is leaner, while chicken thighs are more affordable.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil has a high smoke point, while canola oil is budget-friendly.

chickpeas

🥗Healthier: lentils

💰Cheaper: canned beans

Lentils are nutritious, and canned beans are often less expensive.

spices

🥗Healthier: fresh herbs

💰Cheaper: dried herbs

Fresh herbs can enhance flavor without added calories, while dried herbs are cost-effective.

Preheat oven to roast vegetables.

Slice tomatoes, potatoes, red capsicum, carrots, and eggplants.

Coat vegetables with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt.

Roast vegetables in the oven for about 20 to 25 minutes.

Rinse white rice and green or brown lentils together thoroughly in the sink.

Add rinsed rice and lentils to a pot of boiling water to half boil them.

Check for doneness; rice should start floating to the top when half boiled.

Set aside the half boiled rice and lentils.

Heat olive oil in a pot and sauté chopped onion until translucent.

Add one chopped tomato, tomato paste, cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, bay leaf, and cinnamon stick to the sautéed onion.

Cook the tomato mixture for about 10 to 15 minutes until well combined.

Layer the bottom of a light pot with roasted potatoes and carrots.

Add roasted eggplants and tomatoes around the sides of the pot.

Add half of the half boiled rice and lentils on top of the vegetables.

Remove the cinnamon stick and bay leaf from the tomato mixture and add half of it to the rice layer.

Add salt to the remaining rice and lentils mixture.

Pour the rest of the tomato mixture on top of the rice layer.

Dissolve a tablespoon of homemade vegetable stock paste in warm water and add it to the pot.

Bring the liquid to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat.

Cook for about 20 to 25 minutes on medium heat.

Let the pot sit covered for 10 minutes to set before flipping.

Carefully flip the pot over onto a serving platter, holding it by the handles.

Reveal the upside-down Maqluba and serve.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary