Vegetarian Maqluba (Rice Layered With Tomatoes, Eggplant, and Cauliflower)

Middle Eastern maqluba is a tall, golden savory cake filled to bursting with tender vegetables and crowned with yielding rounds of tomatoes.

Special equipment: Pastry brush

Ingredients

serves Serves 6 to 8, active time 30 minutes, total time 1 hour 10 minutes

• 1 2/3 cups basmati rice, rinsed until water runs clear
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 medium eggplants, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• About 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 medium cauliflower, divided into medium florets
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 3 medium ripe tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 4 cups vegetable stock
• 2 medium cloves garlic, peeled and halved
• Plain yogurt, for serving (optional)
• Hot sauce such as sambal oelek, for serving (optional)
• Chopped fresh cilantro, for serving (optional)

Procedures

1. Adjust oven racks to middle positions and preheat oven to 400°F. Cover rice with water, stir in 1 teaspoon of salt, and let soak.
   
2. Stir together turmeric, cinnamon, cumin, coriander, and cloves in a small bowl. In a large bowl, toss eggplant slices with 3 tablespoons oil, 1/3 of the spice mixture, and salt and pepper to taste. Lay eggplant out on two rimmed baking sheets and roast, turning slices once, until eggplant is browned and tender, about 20 minutes.
   
3. In a large bowl, toss cauliflower with 2 tablespoons oil, 1/3 of the spice mixture, and salt and pepper to taste. Lay cauliflower out on a rimmed baking sheet and roast, stirring once, until cauliflower is browned and tender, about 20 minutes.
   
4. Assemble the maqluba: line the bottom of a Dutch oven with a circle of parchment paper, then brush paper and sides of pot with melted butter. Assemble tomato slices in a circle, covering bottom of pot and overlapping the slices as you go. Follow with the eggplant. Arrange cauliflower over eggplant. Drain rice thoroughly, then spread over cauliflower. Stir remaining spice mixture and 1 teaspoon salt into vegetable stock, and pour over rice. Scatter garlic pieces over top.
   
5. Place pot over high heat and bring stock to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover pot with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove pot from heat, remove lid, drape a clean tea towel over top of pot, and quickly replace lid, letting dish set for 10 minutes. Quickly invert rice dish onto a large round platter; do not remove pot for 2-3 minutes. Remove pot and circle of parchment and serve maqluba with plain yogurt, hot sauce and chopped fresh cilantro, if desired.

Eggplant, Squash, and Cherry Tomato Hash With Baked Eggs

Ingredients

serves Serves 4, active time 45 minutes, total time 45 minutes

• 2 Italian eggplants, sliced in half and cut into 1/2-inch disks
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 medium summer squash, sliced in half and cut into 1/4-inch disks
• 1 medium zucchini, sliced in half and cut into 1/4-inch disks
• 1 medium onion, cut in half and cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 2 medium cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, split in half
• 4 eggs
• 2 tablespoons slived chives
• Hot sauce or chili paste for serving

Procedures

1. To Cook Eggplant in the Microwave: Season eggplant slices lightly on both sides with salt. Place double layer of paper towels or clean kitchen towel on large plate and lay single layer of eggplant slices on top. Top with 2 more layers paper towels or clean kitchen towel. Top with second large plate and place another layer of paper towels and eggplant on top. Top with third large plate. Microwave on high power until eggplant is easily compressed, about 3 minutes (be careful, plates will be hot). Press eggplant slices firmly between paper towels until compressed. Set aside on a large plate. Repeat microwaving and pressing steps until all eggplant slices are compressed. Continue with step 3. Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and preheat oven to 400°F.
   
2. To Cook Eggpant in Oven: Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a double layer of paper towels. Spread eggplant slices over towels in a single layer and top with a second layer of paper towels. Top with a second rimmed baking sheet. Bake until eggplant slices are easily compressed, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and press down on top tray to compress slices. Let cool, then transfer eggplant to a large plate and continue with step 3. Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and increase heat to 400°F.
   
3. Heat 1/4 cup of olive oil in a large non-stick or cast iron skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add eggplant, season to taste with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring and tossing occasionally, until well browned, about 3 minutes. Return to large plate.
   
4. Add additional 2 tablespoons of oil to skillet and heat until shimmering. Add squash and zucchini slices, season to taste with salt and pepper, and cook, tossing occasionally, until well browned, about 5 minutes.
   
5. Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil to skillet and heat until shimmering. Add onions, season to taste with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring, until onions are softened and just beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and cook, stirring, until they soften, about 5 minutes. Return eggplant, zucchini, and squash to skillet.
   
6. To complete, divide mixture between four individual oven-safe serving dishes. Create a well in the center of each one and break an egg into it. Bake until egg is barely set but yolk is still soft, about 6 minutes. Alternatively, leave mixture in large skillet, create four wells, break an egg into each, and bake until eggs are barely set but yolks are still soft, about 6 minutes. Season eggs with salt and pepper and sprinkle with chives. Serve immediately with hot sauce or chili paste.

Make-Ahead Sweet and Sour Stir-Fried Eggplant with Snap Peas and Basil

Ingredients

serves Serves 2, active time 20 minutes, total time 30 minutes

• 1/2 cup red, brown or white rice
• Kosher salt
• 3/4 cup white or rice wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 2 Japanese eggplants, or 1 large eggplant, cut into 1-inch half-moons (about 3 cups chopped)
• 1 1/2 cups sugar-snap or snow peas, ends trimmed
• 1/2 cup torn fresh basil leaves

Procedures

1. Cook rice according to package directions with large pinch salt, then let cool and pack into airtight container. Meanwhile, combine vinegar, soy and honey in small sauce pot. Bring to boil, then simmer over medium-high heat until reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
   
2. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-hight heat until shimmering, then add eggplant, sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to shrivel and char, 10 to 12 minutes. Add sugar-snap peas and saute until bright green, about 2 minutes longer. Pour in reduced sauce and toss over medium heat until vegetables are well coated, 1 minute. Pour on top of rice in airtight containter. Let cool to room temperature, stir in basil, then refrigerate until ready to eat. Eat cold or microwave covered with damp paper towel to reheat.