Maqluba Recipe with Lamb: Middle Eastern Upside-Down Rice

Ingredients

• 1 large russet potato, sliced
• 1 large eggplant, sliced
• 2 teaspoons salt, divided
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup ghee or canola oil, divided
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 pounds lamb stew meat, cut into 1-in cubes
• 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
• 3 green cardamom pods
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2 cinnamon sticks (3 inches)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 pinch ground turmeric
• 1 large tomato, sliced
• 2 cups uncooked basmati rice
• Toasted slivered almonds
• Minced fresh parsley