Maqluba

Fry the vegetables

Fry the eggplant and cauliflower in batches until golden.

Cook the chicken

Simmer the chicken with the onion, cinnamon, cardamom and bay leaf to make a spiced broth and cook the chicken through.

Soak the rice

Soak the rice in water while the chicken cooks.

Layer the pot

Layer the fried vegetables, chicken, and drained rice in a pot, in that order.

Add the broth

Pour over enough of the hot spiced broth to just cover the rice.

Cook the rice

Cover and cook on low heat until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.

Rest before flipping

Take the pot off the heat and let it rest so the layers set.

Flip and reveal

Place a large platter over the pot and flip it in one confident motion to reveal the layers.