Palestinian Eggplant Makloubeh Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Chicken and Rice Layer:

• 1.5 lbs chicken pieces (bone-in, skin-on)
• 2 cups basmati rice, rinsed and soaked for 30 minutes
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 cups chicken broth

For the Eggplant Layer:

• 2 large eggplants, sliced into rounds
• Olive oil for frying
• Salt to taste

For Garnish:

• Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
• Toasted pine nuts or almonds (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken and Rice:

1. In a large pot, heat a bit of olive oil over medium-high heat.
2. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same pot, sauté the sliced onions until translucent.
4. Add the soaked and drained rice to the pot. Stir to coat the rice in the oil and onions.
5. Place the browned chicken pieces on top of the rice.
6. Sprinkle ground cinnamon, allspice, cumin, salt, and pepper over the chicken and rice.
7. Pour chicken broth over the mixture, making sure it covers the rice and chicken.
8. Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.

2. Fry the Eggplants:

1. While the rice is cooking, heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Fry the eggplant slices until golden brown on both sides. Season with salt.
3. Place the fried eggplant slices on a paper towel to absorb excess oil.

3. Assemble the Makloubeh:

1. Once the rice is cooked, remove the pot from heat.
2. Invert a large serving dish over the pot and carefully flip the pot to release the makloubeh onto the dish.
3. The rice and chicken should now be on top, and the eggplants form the bottom layer.

4. Garnish and Serve:

1. Garnish the makloubeh with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro.
2. Optionally, sprinkle toasted pine nuts or almonds on top for added crunch and flavor.

5. Serve Warm:

Serve the Palestinian Eggplant Makloubeh warm, family-style, allowing everyone to enjoy the layers of rice, chicken, and eggplant. This dish is a flavorful and comforting representation of Palestinian cuisine.