If pineapple upside down cake had a favourite savoury sibling, without a doubt it would definitely be maqlooba.
What is a maqlooba'?
The Arabic word ‘maqlooba’ stands for upside down. Maqlooba (also spelled maqluba, makloubeh, or maqlouba) is an upside-down rice dish popular in the Middle East that is commonly made across various Arabic countries such as Palestine, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. This well-known dish is most likely prepared differently in each household. But one thing remains consistent across all versions: it’s a layered dish made of rice, vegetables, and meat.
Layers of vegetables, seasoned rice, and meat simmer together before being turned to make a lovely comfort meal. The dish is the centerpiece for any occasion and will leave guests in awe of how stunning it is. It tastes really amazing too.
This dish is unique in that it is painstakingly prepared, cooked, and then flipped upside down to show the delectable vegetables and meat. Don’t be put off by how complicated it appears; it’s actually rather simple to execute. You can try making this upside-down dish at home too, it will be an unforgettable feast for everyone at home.
Layering vegetables and meat under the rice, then cooking it all together, helps all the flavours blend together beautifully. It is cooked slowly and on low heat to give time for the flavours to develop. The nice crispy base is a plus and when you flip it over, it keeps its beautiful dome shape.
Look no further than maqluba if you want to wow your guests with Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine. This dish is as gorgeous as it is flavourful, with juicy vine tomatoes on top and colourful and vibrant garnishing too.
Here’s a list of ingredients required to make the mouth-watering maqlooba:
Fresh meat – typically chicken or any other meat
Fresh vegetables – Large aubergine (eggplant), potato, onion, tomato, cauliflower, peppers, and mushrooms
Rice – A common choice is basmati rice
Spices – Cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, turmeric, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper
Where can you find the best maqloobas in Sri Lanka?
Persian Cove located in Boralesgamuwa is a great first choice. From aromatic spices and layers of tender rice to succulent vegetables and meats, Persian Cove creates a masterpiece for its customers.
They are the very first to bring this authentic experience to Sri Lanka. One maqlooba can serve up to eight people. Persian Cove’s menu includes chicken maqlooba, chicken and paneer maqlooba, prawn maqlooba, beef maqlooba, paneer maqlooba, and mutton maqlooba with mouth-watering side dishes, extras, and exquisite desserts.