MAALOUBA (UPSIDE-DOWN RICE)

Maalouba (Upside-Down Rice) image

Many cultures throughout the Middle East make a version of this layered rice dish, also known as maqluba or maklouba. Chef May's version includes both vegetables and chicken. Unmolding a maalouba neatly can be tricky. We found that the longer we let it rest, the better ours held together. If yours sticks a little, don't worry-it will still taste delicious.

Provided by Food Network

Time 3h

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 25

Ingredients

1 large carrot, roughly chopped
2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
1 red onion, quartered
One 3- to 4-pound whole chicken, quartered, backbone removed and reserved
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cinnamon sticks
2 bay leaves
5 whole cardamom pods
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 tablespoon ground allspice
1 1/2 cups basmati rice
1 1/2 cups short-grain rice
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 medium russet potatoes, peeled, thickly sliced and deep fried in vegetable oil (see Cook's Note)
1 medium eggplant, thickly sliced and deep fried in vegetable oil (see Cook's Note)
2 cups cauliflower florets, deep fried in vegetable oil (see Cook's Note)
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts, for serving
Parsley leaves, for serving
1 fresh red chile pepper, sliced in half, for serving
2 small cucumbers, chopped
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
Juice of 1/2 large lemon
Flaky sea salt
3 tablespoons olive oil

Steps:

For the chicken: Heat the oil with the cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, cardamom and 1 teaspoon pepper over medium heat until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add the onion, carrot and celery; stir to combine. Add the chicken pieces, including the backbone, skin-side down and sear until the skin is golden brown. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon salt and add 7 cups water to just cover the chicken. Stir in the turmeric and allspice. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to simmer and cook until the chicken is tender and cooked through, about 40 minutes.
Remove the chicken to a platter and strain the stock through a fine-mesh sieve. Discard the vegetables, spices and backbone and set the stock aside.
For the rice: Meanwhile, add the basmati and short-grain rice to a large bowl and cover with water. Stir in the turmeric and soak for 30 minutes. Strain the rice and discard the water.
In a Dutch oven or large, heavy pot with a lid, layer the chicken pieces skin-side down, followed by a layer of fried potato slices, a layer of fried eggplant slices and a layer of cauliflower. Add the rice, letting it fall in between the vegetables and chicken. Add the 7 cups of stock until the rice is just covered.
Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Continue to cook until the rice is tender and the liquid has been completely absorbed, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and let rest with the lid on for 30 minutes.
For the salad: Toss the cucumbers, tomatoes, lemon juice, olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl.
Place a large serving platter or plate over the pot and carefully flip to unmold. Garnish the maalouba with toasted pine nuts, parsley leaves and the red chile . Serve the maalouba with the side salad.