Upside Down

Over the last 3 years, three different neighbors have patiently taught me how to make “makloubeh,” a rice, chicken and vegetable dish named for the way it is inverted onto a large tray after it is cooked.  Cooking is something most women love here and they spend a lot of time and care doing it.  It is a big part of how they show love for their families and keep traditions.  When I walked through the sometimes 5-hour process of making this dish with friends, I felt intimidated.  But the other day, motivated by Caleb’s love for this dish and feeling it was just “time,”  I decided to finally take and plunge and make makloubeh, using this recipe for reference and adding little touches like the sliced ginger my neighbor adds to her broth – it makes the kitchen smell heavenly.