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Maqluba with beef, spiced rice dish
Spiced maqluba, savory Middle Eastern beef dish

Beef Maqluba (Upside-Down Rice Cake)

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Main Courses
Maqluba literally means 'upside-down'. This is the festive cake of the Middle East, but made of rice, meat, and roasted vegetables instead of batter. It's the art of layering: vegetables and meat go on the bottom, rice on top, and after cooking, it's flipped onto a platter with a decisive motion. If it stays in one piece like a cake, the cook earns a round of applause.
🕒 Prep Time 30 mins
🍳 Cook Time 1 hr
⌛ Total Time 1 hr 30 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 720 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Levantine / Arab

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Heavy non-stick pot (critical for flipping)
  • Large serving platter

Instructions

1 ✓

Brown meat in oil, season with Baharat, add water and simmer until semi-tender (approx. 30 mins). Reserve broth!

Tip: This spiced broth flavors the rice.
2 ✓

Fry eggplant slices (and optional potato/cauliflower) until golden.

Tip: Fried veggies have richer flavor than boiled.
3 ✓

Layering: Place tomato slices at bottom of pot (prevents burning). Add meat, then fried veggies. Top with soaked, drained rice.

Tip: Press down layers slightly.
4 ✓

Mix turmeric and salt into reserved broth, pour gently over rice. Liquid should just cover it.

Tip: Pour over a spoon to avoid disturbing layers.
5 ✓

Simmer covered on low until rice is tender and water absorbed (20-25 mins). Remove from heat, rest covered 20 mins.

Tip: Resting sets the 'cake'.
6 ✓

Place platter over pot, flip with confidence. Tap bottom, lift pot.

Recipe FAQ

Why did it fall apart when flipping?
You didn't let it rest. Allow it to sit in the pot for 15-20 minutes after cooking so the steam binds the rice.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Beef (e.g., Chuck), cubed
  • 1 1/2 cups Basmati Rice (soaked 30 mins)
  • 1 whole Eggplant (sliced, fried)
  • 1 whole Onion
  • 2 whole Tomatoes (sliced)
  • 3 cups Water or Beef Stock
  • 1 tsp Baharat Spice Mix (or Allspice, Cinnamon, Pepper)
  • 1 tsp Turmeric
  • 2 tbsp Oil