Rechta is a type of noodles that is usually prepared in Algeria with meat or chicken cooked in a vegetable sauce. The sauce is perfumed with cinnamon flavor.
The vegetables are mainly zucchinis, turnips added to chickpeas.
Rechta is prepared in major occasions such as Al Mawlid Annabawi ( celebration of prophet mohamed ‘s birthday), Ashura, Eid Al Fitr ( celebration of end of Ramadan), marriages, etc.
For my homemade Rechta recipe, please see : https://www.myexcellentdegustations.com/%f0%9f%87%a9%f0%9f%87%bf-algerian-homemade-rechta-noodles/
If your Rechta is in your freezer, let it thaw for few hours.
Prepare the chicken sauce, then steam the Rechta (noodles).
Steam for the second time the Rechta for 10 to 15 minutes. Dump it in a large dish and add butter. Mix the butter well with the Rechta.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Rechta (noodles)
- Chicken pieces (from 4 to 8 pieces)
- 1 medium onion, minced
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1 medium cinnamon stick
- 1 cup chickpeas, soaked overnight and rinsed
- 3 tbsp olive oil plus extra if needed for the Rechta
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter at room temperature
- 4 medium zucchinis, cut into long pieces
- 4 medium long turnips, cut into pieces
Instructions
-
Put olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
-
Add the minced onion, chicken pieces and let cook for about 5 minutes.
-
Add salt, pepper, and cinnamon stick.
-
Reduce the heat to medium low then add turnips pieces and chickpeas.
-
Let cook for a good 10 minutes and make sure to turn the chicken pieces during this time. Add hot water to cover the chicken.
-
Increase the heat to medium and cook covered for about 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked.
-
While the chicken sauce is cooking, prepare the Rechta ( noodles).
-
If you use a store bought Rechta, put it in a large shallow dish then open it up with hands and add olive oil to it( about 1 to 3 tbsp). If you use my homemade Rechta recipe (please see link above), just place it in a top of a steamer and let it steam for 10 to 15 minutes.
-
Dump the Rechta in a large shallow dish and sprinkle with about 2 cups of the chicken sauce. Gently fluff the Rechta with a fork and Let it absorb the sauce. Let cool.
-
Steam again the Rechta for 10 to 15 minutes then dump it in a shallow dish and add 2 tablespoons butter.
-
Mix the butter well in the Rechta with hands( if you can handle the heat) or use a fork for that.
-
Check the seasoning of the sauce and add salt if needed. You may need to add hot water as well. Once the chicken and turnips are cooked, take the chicken out of the sauce and add zucchinis to the sauce then let it cook.
-
In a large frying saucepan, brown the chicken pieces in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in both sides. Set aside.
-
Once the zucchinis are cooked, serve the Rechta in a dish, garnished with chicken and vegetables. The garnished Rechta should be served with a bowl of the white sauce.
-
Enjoy.
Recipe Notes
- This dish may take less time to cook, it depends of your vegetables.