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Vegan Maklouba (Palestinian Flipped Rice)

Maklouba - also known as Maqluba or Makloubeh - is a Palestinian layered dish made with rice, protein and fried vegetables for a hearty and fulfilling meal.
Prep Time45 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Middle East, Palestinian
Keyword: chickpeas, rice, tempeh
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1/2 can chickpeas
  • 300 g tempeh
  • 2 medium tomatoes
  • 2 medium potatoes
  • 1 large eggplant
  • 1/2 head cauliflower
  • 1.5 tbsp 7-spice
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup basmati rice
  • 1.5 cups water
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 4 cloves or 2 star anise
  • 3 cardamom
  • extra virgin olive oil

Garnish

  • parsley
  • toasted pine nuts

Instructions

  • Rinse and drain basmati rice 3-4 times until water runs clear. Soak the rice for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 200C. Slice eggplant, potatoes into thin slices. Break up cauliflower into small florets. Place on baking tray.
  • Drizzle with a generous amount of olive oil and bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping them halfway.
  • Slice tomatoes. Crumble chickpeas and tempeh. Dice onions.
  • Saute onions in olive oil until translucent. Add 7-spice, turmeric, salt and black pepper - saute for a few seconds until spices are cooked. Add in chickpeas and tempeh.
  • Saute until tempeh is cooked. The mixture should be dark brown in colour.
  • Layer tomatoes > eggplant > cauliflower > chickpea & tempeh mixture > potatoes > basmati rice > aromatics > water in a pressure cooker. Remember to spread the ingredients evenly so it cooks evenly.
  • Cover the lid of the pressure cooker and wait for the steam to release from the nozzle. Lower the flame and cook for 15 minutes. Switch off flame and let the dish remain in the heat for 10-15 minutes.
  • If using a regular karge, heavy-bottomed pot, start layering the ingredients and cover the pot with a lid. Cook the Maklouba on low heat for about 20 minutes. Once cooked, remove the pot from the heat and let it sit for about 5 minutes to set.
  • Open the lid, and place a wide serving plate on top. Carefully flip the cooker upside down (it might be quite heavy so you can do it slowly). Gently lift the pot off, and the layers of rice and vegetables should hold their shape.
  • Garnish with toasted pine nuts and fresh parsley.