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Palestinian Upside-Down Rice with Vegetables and Meat

Yields6 ServingsPrep Time30 minsCook Time1 hr 30 minsTotal Time2 hrs

An aromatic upside-down dish featuring seasoned rice, tender meat, and a colorful array of vegetables, flipped to reveal its beautiful layers. This dish is best served fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before serving.

A beautifully plated upside-down dish showcasing vibrant vegetables and perfectly cooked rice, garnished with fresh herbs.

Ingredients for the Rice Layer
 2 Basmati rice
 4 water
 1 tsp salt
 1 tsp ground cumin
 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Ingredients for the Meat and Vegetables
 1 kg chicken, cut into pieces (or lamb)
 2 onions, sliced
 2 carrots, sliced
 1 eggplant, sliced
 1 cauliflower, cut into florets
 4 tbsp olive oil
 1 tsp black pepper
Optional Garnishes
 1 cup toasted almonds
 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Preparation Steps
1

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté until golden brown.

2

Add the chicken pieces (or lamb) to the pot, along with salt, black pepper, ground cumin, and ground cinnamon. Brown the meat on all sides.

3

Stir in the carrots, eggplant, and cauliflower, and cook for about 5-7 minutes until slightly softened.

4

Pour in 4 cups of water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let it simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the meat is tender.

5

While the meat is cooking, rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.

6

Once the meat is tender, remove it from the pot and set aside. Strain the broth, reserving it for later.

7

In the same pot, layer the cooked vegetables evenly at the bottom. Place the reserved meat on top of the vegetables.

8

Add the rinsed rice over the meat and vegetables. Pour enough of the reserved broth over the rice to cover it by about 1 inch. Bring to a boil.

9

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for about 30-40 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and the liquid is absorbed.

10

Remove from the heat and let it rest for another 10 minutes covered.

11

To serve, carefully invert the pot onto a large serving platter. Gently shake to release the rice and meat. Garnish with toasted almonds and fresh parsley.

Notes

This dish is best served fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before serving.

Nutrition Facts

0 servings

Serving size

1 plate


Amount per serving
Calories600
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 20g26%

Saturated Fat 3g15%
Trans Fat 0g
Monounsaturated Fat 10g
Polyunsaturated Fat 5g
Cholesterol 70mg24%
Sodium 400mg18%
Total Carbohydrate 80g30%

Dietary Fiber 5g18%
Total Sugars 3g
Includes 0g Added Sugars0%
Protein 30g

Vitamin A 500mcg56%
Vitamin C 15mg17%
Calcium 60mg5%
Iron 3mg17%
Potassium 700mg15%
Vitamin D 0mcg0%
Vitamin E 2mg14%
Vitamin K 5mcg5%
Thiamin 0.5mg42%
Riboflavin 0.3mg24%
Niacin 6mg38%
Vitamin B6 0.5mg30%
Folate 50mcg13%
Vitamin B12 0.5mg21%
Biotin 0mcg0%
Pantothenic Acid 0.5mg10%
Phosphorus 300mg24%
Iodine 0mcg0%
Magnesium 50mg12%
Zinc 2mg19%
Selenium 10mcg19%
Copper 0.5mg56%
Manganese 1mg44%
Chromium 0mcg0%
Molybdenum 0mcg0%
Chloride 0mg0%

* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.