Sometimes, because I feel like I will never fit into this crazy Elliott family, I seek solace in the non Elliott members of the family. That is, the partners of Mr NQN’s siblings. Sometimes you need someone else to confirm “yes that was strange” when something slightly odd or freaky happens. However, this doesn’t always work. We were having a picnic with my family and Mr NQN’s and his sister’s partner The Banksia Man. As you might have guessed, he is a botanical loving guy and as father to 21 month old Aura Lily, he takes her out for a bush walk every second day to get her in touch with nature. Apparently she loves it and barrels ahead as fast as her little feet will take her.
“It’s great but I wish she could walk for more than two hours…” he said wistfully.
I had to drop my fork which I was using to spoon salad into my mouth.
“Aura, who is 21 months old, bushwalks for two hours every second day?” I said thinking to myself “oh lordy be help me, will they expect adults to do four hours a day?”
During conversations like these, being the Halloween loving black sheep in this family of in laws (“they’re outlaws really” Queen Viv says) means that I feel like the person standing outside the door. Food is another topic in which we don’t really see eye to eye. Being vegetarians and vegans means that if I have them over, I have to make sure that Tuulikki doesn’t sit near any meat products and that they have enough food to eat. She also once told me that if she could go out for dinner and not have to eat, that was ideal. Clearly, a sentiment that is contrary to anything that I may think.
This is a dish you could make vegetarian or omnivore but I chose to make a chicken version of this dish. It’s a Palestinian dish called makloubeh (or maklouba, maklube or maqluba) with fragrantly spiced chicken, soft cauliflower, creamy eggplant and aromatic rice all stacked in layers. Cooked upside down so that the rice steams on top of the layers of chicken and vegetables, you simply flip it upside down when ready so that the chicken sits on top and it looks like a rice cake. It is surprisingly easy and designed to impress. Traditionally it is meant to be eaten with the hands with some flat bread. I first tried it in Oman as a prawn makloubeh and it was fantastic with some yogurt dip.
After you flip it, cross your fingers 
Anyway, back to the outlaw conversation. To my enormous relief, Mr NQN leaned around us and echoed my sentiments to The Banksia Man. “She’s not even two years old!” he said laughing. The Banksia Man smiled and said “do you think two hours is a long time?” Mr NQN answered back “bloody oath it is mate!” with absolute certainty.
OK, perhaps I could be a part of this outlaw family…I’ll just hide behind Mr NQN.
So tell me Dear Reader, if you didn’t have to eat, would you not eat? Or is eating a pleasure for you?
Upside Down Rice Cake
An Original Recipe by Not Quite Nigella
Serves 6
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 60 minutes (45 of which are unattended)
Resting time: 20 minutes
- 1/2 head of cauliflower
- 4 long, thin Japanese eggplants
- 2 large onions
- 2 cloves garlic
- 800g/28.2ozs chicken pieces on the bone, skin on
- 2.5 cups basmati rice
- 1/2 cup currants or sultanas
- oil for frying
- 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
Chicken spices:
- 3-4 green cardamom seeds, crushed
- 1 teaspoons coriander seeds, crushed
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon seven spices mix or Baharat
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Rice spices:
- 1 teaspoon mixed spice
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2-1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1. Cut cauliflower into small florets and slice eggplants on the diagonal. Chop onions and garlic cloves finely and set aside. Prepare the first spice mix and put a kettle full of water on the boil. Heat a large saucepan with some oil and fry the cauliflower, browning it and remove from the pan. Add more oil and fry the eggplant and remove from pan.
2. Add some more oil and fry the onion and garlic. Then brown the chicken skin side down and then turn over. Add the chicken spice mixture lot to the chicken turning well, it will smell fantastic. Add enough water to just cover the chicken and simmer this for 15 minutes.
Spice mix and the rice
3. While it is simmering, soak the rice in water and measure out the rice spice mix. After 15 minutes, drain the rice and mix in the second spice mix and the currants coating the rice well with the colourful spices and distributing the currants.
Layer the chicken on top of a light layer of the uncooked rice
Layer the vegetables on top of the chicken (when you flip it over, they will end up under the chicken)
4. Heat the pot in which you’re going to make the dish in, it needs to have high edges as it is quite a high “cake.” Add some more oil onto the bottom and sprinkle a thin layer of the rice on the bottom. Remove the chicken from the other saucepan and place skin down on the rice and then layer with cauliflower and eggplant pieces (everything gets tipped upside down so just keep that in mind). Place the rest of the rice on top flattening it gently but firmly-the firmer packed it is, the better. Add the chicken simmering liquid and all of the spices in it on top and pat down again. Secure the lid tightly and cook on low for 45-60 minutes – do not boil.
Flattening the rice and layers to pack firmly
5. After it has been cooked (the rice on the bottom cooks faster than the one at the top) then remove from the heat and allow to rest for about 20 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pot to loosen any bits. Clamp a large platter to the pot with your hands and gently upend the pot-pray a little that it works and gently lift the pot. There will be some rice that sticks to the pot but that was just so the chicken doesn’t stick and that’s your cook’s treat. Sprinkle with the toasted pine nuts (don’t forget them like I did! ). Serve with bread and a yogurt dip or salad.
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59 Comments | Add your own
Mmmhhh, that dish looks ever so scrumptious! An amazing speciality.
Cheers,
Rosa
Oh, what a fabulous dish! I love the spices you used and that it’s a complete meal – with chicken, rice and vegetables, I don’t need to make anything else!
Two hours every second day sounds like a lot but so long as it’s not a forced march and the toddler is enjoying it, I guess it’s hard to object. I have a lot of reservations about this though because my parents took me on many a bush walk when I was a child that were for me like forced marches. I do not have pleasant memories of these bush walks. But Aura Lily is not me and maybe she will love bush walks. Scratch the surface of another families culture, the more weirdness you will find. I love the upside down rice cake. It seems like the sort dish you could feed guests for dinner that would impress anyone who has not seen such a dish before. Chicken, rice, spice, vegetables – what’s not to love!
Oh, Lorraine, this is one of my favorite dishes of all time, though I rarely make it anymore. You did such a fantastic job. Just glorious. I am still reeling from the fact that little Aura can walk for 2 hours. Gasp!
I enjoy every sensual bit of eating–would definitely not give it up give the choice!
That really is a very impressive looking dish. I would be very nervous at the flipping over point. I understand your outsider feelings. I have to host an 80th birthday party for my father-in-law and the drama in the build-up is killing me. Would love to blog about it but there are rules! When can we catch up? xx
This looks devine! I’d eat even if I didn’t have to – it is a pleasure.
This looks devine! I would eat even if I didn’t have to – it is a pleasure.
Oh wow, I’ve never seen anything like this before.
I’m actually one of these people that actually isn’t too fussed about eating. I could go with or without it.
I think it’s mainly due to the fact that as a hypoglycemic, I feel like I have to eat all the time – and some days I feel like all I do is decide what to eat, make food and eat food in a perpetual cycle ;P
For me, eating is definitely a pleasure Lorraine. But there are times when I am happy with a simple bowl of my Hungarian veal broth or Pho.
I sometimes feel like that with JTs family, but as time goes on, I’m fitting in a bit more (either that or they are becoming less weird!). That fish looks great, I can see myself making it, love all the flavours.
We’re back from Europe now so I’m catching up, not sure how long it will take.
Longchamp
We got back from Europe yesterday and after going three loads of laundry I’m finally feeling somewhat in control!
This looks like a delightful dinner, and impressive enough for guests too!
Feeling odd in a family like mr NQNs would be more normal. But good luck with that!
As in if I didn’t die because I didn’t eat would I still eat? OF COURSE! Food is amazingly delicious and don’t understand anyone that has that mentality.
Thank goodness you have Mr NQN! Otherwise I just wouldn’t go. Is it even healthy to have a kid walk that much? The rice cake looks delicious!
I am DEFINITELY all about the eating and have been brought up by a family who absolutely LOVE food!
To be honest, I find it hard to walk past a plate of food without having just a little taste and I’m SO glad this has rubbed off on Jason (although he has way more restraint than me!).
I love the look of that rice cake and will definitely try it on a free weekend
You crack me up Lorrains, “After you flip it, cross your fingers.” Ha! Isn’t that the truth! This looks mouth-wateringly gorgeous!
Ha! Silly question. Is eating a pleasure….eating is the most pleasurable thing that we can do multiple time a day without having to rely on anyone else!!!
This looks delicious. Will definately be trying this one out!!
Not eat? Never…ever! Although my mum is similar in that food holds very little interest to her, and quite happily forgets meals.
Lovely looking rice dish.
Happy Long weekend Lorraine
Wow never eat…that’s so strange because eating is not only a necessity to me, it’s also a great sense of pleasure! I love all meal and eating ~ and I have this strange theory lol we are always advised not to over do something like over exercise or over work…but to me you can’t really over eat…because you have to do it everyday whether you like it or not 
So why not make the most of every meal!
Ohhh i’ve never seen or heard of makloubia but it sure looks lovely and fragrant!
Silly Q
! If I did not live to eat, I would hardly be food blogging and on your site 
! Absolutely beautiful dish I’ll make next week when friends arrive: just bought some fresh Baharat! Good on Aura’s dad: if she is not unhappy about going, it’s good for her in every way!! Mine did exactly the same thing every free moment he could grab. He was also a v talented amateur meterologist, so from age three I was used to lying on my back in parks and fields learning to foretell weather. By five I knew exactly when it would rain and from where the winds would blow 
! And the daughter/father bond formed was tremendous. Miss him every day 
!
Sorry if you’ll see ‘double’: don’t think my post 1/2 hr back went thru
!
Silly Q
! If I did not live to eat I would hardly be on food blogs such as yours 
! Absolutely love this recipe and shall use when friends arrive next week! Fresh Baharat just bought will help. Good on Aura’s dad – if the lovely little miss enjoys it, the wanderings will be good for her in a multitude of ways 
! My beautiful Dad used every free moment from his busy career to take me out in the same way from practically babyhood! He was a very talented weather forecaster to boot and from age three I was forever on my back in parks and fields learning ‘the art’. Found that and the animals/birds and ALL the flowers absolutely fascinating and a wonderful bond was formed twixt father and a v v lucky child 
!
Toddlers walk really slowly, right? So maybe “bushwalking” for “two hours” is really just walking up the block. That’s what I’m telling myself to make myself feel better, anyway.
Eating is a definite must! The rice cake looks fantastic, I must try it! Would you just omit the chicken if you were doing it vegan style?
Hi Susan! Good question! Yup I would replace the chicken with more vegetables like chickpeas, pumpkin or more cauliflower and eggplant
Yum… the dish looks amazing and anything in one pot is a win for me
Sorry, Lorraine! The blessed button just would not click nor the post show for moderation! Love to you and Mr NQN
!
What an original idea! Definetly to try!
Two hours bush walk!!!!I am married into a family that would ride a car to the loo from their bed if they could, lol!
What you have cooked their Lorraine is what we call Biryani in the Indian sub-continent, though the spice mix a tad different. That looks absolutely delish, fabulous, fantastic! Love it.
Lorraine, what a fun story to read, although I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes, really…
And I would definitely not skip some of your upside down rice cake, it is amazingly inviting! 
Lorraine, that dish looks amazing!! I love that Mr NQN’s mother can’t even sit near meat..
What a fantastic idea! I love to eat
Oh my, that chicken dish looks amazing. Eating good food is one of life’s pleasures (or I would not be visiting your blog)!
Eating when you are hungry is on of the most enjoyable feelings in the world! I would never give it up!
I know we should all eat to live but I live to eat and enjoy food with my family and my friends. Food is entertainment for me – making, sharing and eating.
I really like this makloubia.
I could never give up eating and I love to eat out!
I will not even answer the question about eating, it is so obvious. About the walking, my kids are much older and still complain about walking… 2 hrs is impressive, granted bush walking certainly has more appeal than a normal walk. This is another definite pin!
Eat! I would always eat!
Impressive for a small child to walk so far! Our daughter has tolerated art galleries around the world for entire days so long as there are regular stops for food, and who can do the Louvre in a day even? She’s surprisingly tolerant of places you can eat, but not so great on long outdoors things – much like her dear mother!!
As to eating, I eat for pleasure, but know of someone who is severely germ phobic who wont eat out – ever! If she gets invited to dinner she eats before she goes, and feeds her kids before they leave too, thus spreading the fear of public food. Even going to a friend’s house brings her out in a sweat as she might need to drink. She will only drink water she’s bought herself, and in a glass she had from home. How sad is that? The husband happily eats whatever is put in front of him – bugs or no bugs – and has a level of understanding that only true love can bring. Me – it would drive me crazy!! Her house is cleaned twice a day, despite having therapy. Not much of a life.
Eating is definitely a pleasure for me, but I have to watch my weight, and I also have a small appetite so there are times when I’m happy to go out and just have a coffee and water or other drink and chat. That’s because I’m a bit of a food snob and would rather not eat if I’m not hungry or the calories aren’t worth it. So if I’m meeting up at a nondescript coffee chain for a chat with the friend, it’s all about the chat with a friend. I don’t want to eat a cardboard toasted sandwich or premade cake for the sake of something eat. I’m happy to order a coffee and water and just chat. Or if I’m in a truck stop in the middle of nowhere I’d rather not in a pie or fried thing that’s been sitting in the bain marie for ages, I’d rather wait and eat something healthy and fresh later. I’ll stick to my water and piece of fruit. But I love, love fresh, good food, especially if shared with family and friends. And I can usually find my appetite – and tummy – stretches on those occasions.
What would life be without enjoying food. Not much for any of the people that visit you here. Skater really couldn’t give a rats about food. A sad and shocking fact. This recipe really looks interesting and I love it
Wow!!! This looks impressive! I have to make it soon. Maybe a vegetarian version first. Yum!
Oh no! I would always eat, I thoroughly enjoy eating!! This dish looks fantastic!
2 hours of walk for 21 month old.. What can I say I am under mountain of embarrassment for myself… LOL
This looks wonderful dish, my dad makes something very similar.. we just replace eggplant with potatoes…
Yum!!
Holy moly, I can’t imagine not eating… It’s the high point of my day! Yikes! The very thought gives me the shakes….
But… Why would you not want to eat?? And I mean, EVER?? I once refused a second date with a guy, more or less because he was vegan. That’s not normal, is it…
Have been in Mexico 2 weeks and you’ve reminded me of how I miss the incredible diversity of food back home. Not that I don’t love the food here, but… Same-same but different!
I’ve seen this dish before just once – somewhere.. forgot but so interesting to see how you cook it through step by step! Even though how sick I get, I cannot stop eating and I get appetite (most of time). I think I was born to eat and not to keep my body shape. xD
That chicken looks amazing! 9AM just after brekky and already I’m hungry again just by looking at it
This looks fantastic Lorraine! I’ve never heard of a rice cake like this before but this would be such an impressive dish to serve at a dinner party.. and looks sooo yummy too!
What a silly question indeed!!!
My MIL still thinks plain boiled wheat pasta is a great meal for me with my gluten intolerances as it doesn’t have any sauce to make me sick(?), so if she didn’t eat meat, I would probably always set it in front of her as I carved!
I’m so glad we need to eat to survive, it makes me feel less guilty about enjoying it so much!
I know how you feel re. inlaws/outlaws
Look at the golden brown of the chicken pieces! That looks like a fantastic one pot meal!
I think most people visiting your blog are food lovers who cannot imagine not eating. We are even reading about food in our free time!
Eat is a pleasure, period. If you enjoy eating meat, great, if you thing nothis is better than a dish of lettuce, ummm, ok, could be a pleasure for you.
wow, lorraine, that is so picturesque! and it marks my first savory upside-down cake.
I have eaten this dish before, about 30 years ago I was staying with a friend, who had married a Bedouin in Petra, Jordan. Mohammad her husband with much ceremony created it to serve to company. It was a great dish to prepare in their Nabatean cave, because only a single large cooking dish was needed and it was cooked on a primus. It was a eaten from a shared serving dish using your right hand only of course. It was abosultely delicious!
ooh, very similar to the Biryani, but more dense… I like.
Lorraine, Help!!!! Your newest post is requiring a log-in password from something called “pickle” to leave a message. I can’t seem to get around it and can’t find that I have a password. Help!
I would have thought Mr NQN would provide some of that feedback, but maybe he’s just used to it? By the way when I saw the title I was expecting a sweet glutinous rice cake of some sort. This savoury version is a little different but seems like a good idea!
This looks delicious! I LOVE it!
x
Eating is ABSOLUTELY one of life’s greatest pleasures. If I cannot eat I feel deprived. We are so blessed, aren’t we!
I just don’t understand how people go without eating – it isn’t natural – but your outlaws sound like fun. The rice dish sounds like a great party piece – if it falls out the right way – that would make me nervous
Hello Lorraine!
I just found this blog by chance when I Google’d “bacon lasagne”. I’ve spent the last two hours pouring over your recipes and stories – I think I’m in love.
yay
You’ve been book marked under the “FOODPORN” tab.
TO make things better – it’s an Aussie food blog
Obviously, food is a pleasure to me so I would never not eat. Except I went to a really awful Tibetan kitchen once. Possibly the one time I DIDN’T eat when given the choice.
Hi Sarah! Thanks so much for your lovely comment and I’m so glad that you enjoy the blog
The Tibetan restaurant sounds frightening-it must have been bad to skip a meal!
Your creativity with recipes never fails to amaze me!
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