Rechta Algéroise

• Prep time: 40 minutes

• Cook time: 50 minutes

• Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes

• Servings: 6 servings

• Country of Origin: Algeria

• Description: Delicate artisan flat noodles steamed and served under a savory white sauce made with chicken, turnips, and aromatic cinnamon.

• Presentation & How It's Eaten: Arranged in deep bowls with steamed noodles thoroughly coated in clear white sauce, topped with chicken pieces, turnip quarters, and dusted with cinnamon.

• Ingredients:

  • 500g fresh Rechta noodles

  • 1 kg chicken pieces

  • 1 large white onion, finely grated

  • 4 medium white turnips, peeled and quartered

  • 1 cup cooked chickpeas

  • 2 tbsp smen (clarified butter)

  • 1 cinnamon stick

  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for garnish)

  • 1 tsp white pepper

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 4 cups water

• Step-by-Step Directions:

  • Prepare Base: Melt smen in a pot, add grated onion, chicken, cinnamon stick, white pepper, and salt; cook gently without browning onion for 10 minutes.

  • Simmer Broth: Pour in 4 cups of water, cover, and bring to a simmer for 20 minutes.

  • Steam Noodles: Coat Rechta noodles lightly with oil, place in steamer over pot, and steam for 15 minutes; remove and sprinkle with warm salted water.

  • Add Vegetables: Add turnip quarters and cooked chickpeas into simmering broth; place noodles back on top steamer for a second steam of 15 minutes.

  • Assemble: Toss steamed Rechta noodles with a knob of butter, lay on serving dish, top with chicken and turnips, strain white broth over dish, and sprinkle ground cinnamon on top.

• Optional:

  • Courgette Variation: Add small light green zucchini alongside turnips if white turnips are sweet.

• Cooking Tips:

  • Clear White Sauce: Grate onion very fine and do not brown meat to keep broth light and clear.

• Nutrition Facts:

  • Calories: ~480 kcal

  • Total Fat: 12g

  • Saturated Fat: 3.5g

  • Cholesterol: 80mg

  • Sodium: 580mg

  • Total Carbohydrates: 58g

  • Dietary Fiber: 5g

  • Sugars: 4g

  • Protein: 34g