Aubergine Maqluba

If you’ve ever had Maqluba (or Makloubeh, you know it’s more than just a meal... it’s an experience. This beloved rice dish is a showstopper, perfect for family gatherings or special occasions.

Maqluba is all about layers... fluffy, spiced rice, chicken or tender lamb, and perfectly roasted vegetables (aubergine, tomatoes, cauliflower or potatoes). My favourite part is when you flip the pot onto a platter and reveal the beautiful layers underneath. That’s where the name comes from - Maqluba; literally means “upside down.”

It might seem intimidating at first, but trust me, it’s easier than it looks and absolutely worth it. The combination of flavours and textures is simply irresistible. If you haven’t tried making it yet, now’s the time!

In this recipe I swapped the traditional meat or chicken with Isn't Beef plant-based mince.

Ingredients

For the Rice:

1 cup basmati rice
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp 7-spice blend
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 ¼ cup boiling vegetable broth

For the Beef Mixture (Plant-Based Option):

A bag of Plant-Based Mince Meat (or your choice of protein)
1 small onion, chopped
½ tsp allspice
1 tsp tomato paste
¼ tsp black pepper
Salt to taste

Other Ingredients:

2–3 medium aubergines, sliced (½ inch thick), fried or baked
Roasted nuts for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Rice

Rinse the basmati rice 2–3 times.
Soak it in cold water for 30 minutes, then drain and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Aubergine

Peel the aubergine in stripes (keeping some skin).
Cut into ½-inch slices and toss with salt and oil.
Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 30 minutes, flipping halfway.

Step 3: Cook the Beef Mixture

In a pan, sauté chopped onions in a little oil over medium heat.
Add the plant-based mince, spices, and tomato paste.
Cook until browned and well combined. Set aside.

Step 4: Layer the Maqluba

Add 2 tbsp oil to the bottom of a deep pot.
Spread the cooked mince evenly at the bottom of the pot.
Layer the aubergine slices on top.
In a bowl, mix the drained rice with olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
Spread the rice over the aubergine.
Pour in the boiling vegetable broth.

Step 5: Cook the Maqluba

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat for 5 minutes.
Cover tightly, reduce heat to low, and cook for 50 minutes.
Turn off the heat and let it rest for 5–10 minutes.

Step 6: Flip & Serve

Place a large tray over the pot. Hold both firmly and flip quickly.
Let the pot sit upside-down for a few minutes before lifting slowly.
Garnish with roasted nuts.
Serve with tzatziki or fresh salad. Enjoy!

💬 I’d love to know how your Maqluba turns out! Feel free to leave a comment and share your experience, especially if you experiment with different veggies. I’m always excited to hear new twists on this classic dish!

Comments

Welcome to My Journey: Finding Strength Through Sharing

Hey there, and welcome to My World My Life , my little corner of the internet. After what felt like an endless process, I’ve finally moved all my old blog posts from their outdated home to this fresh new space. It wasn’t easy, balancing this with treatment, work, and family life, but with a little help from my family, I made sure every post made it over intact. No missing entries, no broken links (because let’s be honest, that totally would have happened). Now that everything is in place, I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead. This blog isn’t just about sharing my journey; it’s about creating a space where we can connect, support one another, and navigate life’s unexpected twists together. One of those twists came in the form of breast cancer. One moment, I was going about my usual routine, and the next, I was sitting in a doctor’s office, hearing words that didn’t feel real. In an instant, my world flipped upside down. My days became a whirlwind of appointments, treatments, and ...

Redefining Life After Cancer: My Journey to a New Normal

In 2023, my world - and my family’s - was completely turned upside down with my breast cancer diagnosis. It was the year my biggest dream came true when we bought our house. And it was the year my worst nightmare became reality when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Two life-altering events, colliding at the same time. But it wasn’t just life that changed... I will never return to the person I was before cancer. Sometime I grieve that version of me, the one who lived without this constant awareness of mortality. I thought I understood that life was finite, but there’s a difference between knowing it in theory and feeling it in your bones every day. The fear of recurrence or the cancer spreading isn’t just an abstract worry; it’s a shadow that lingers, a rational dread because cancer doesn’t play by the rules. It can return or spread at any time. And that reality is something I have to learn to live with. The idea of a “happily ever after” shattered in an instant. Moving into our new ...

Navigating Work and Life While Managing Breast Cancer

When cancer enters your life, it feels like a sudden storm, disrupting every aspect of your existence with its demands and emotional toll. Yet, despite the overwhelming nature of such a diagnosis, it doesn't have to completely define your existence. Maintaining some semblance of normal life, be it through work, relationships, or hobbies, can be a source of strength and continuity. However, everyone's experience with cancer is uniquely theirs. While some might find their daily routines and priorities wholly transformed, others, like myself, strive to weave treatment into an existing tapestry of responsibilities. The role of a support system, mental health resources, and personal perspective cannot be understated in navigating these challenges. My own journey took a dramatic turn right before my surgery for breast cancer, requiring me to step back from a demanding job as Head of Delivery at the Greater London Authority. It wasn't just about taking time off; my role demanded a...

MyWorldMyLife

Search This Blog