Rechta algéroise

Rechta algéroise is a dish of fine steamed noodles with a pale chicken-and-vegetable sauce from Algerian cuisine. Soulef recalls eating it at family meals and celebrations while growing up in Algiers. Her family version includes chickpeas, turnips and courgettes, with onion, black pepper and cinnamon; she notes that some families use turnips without courgettes.^[1]

The chicken cooks with onion and spices before water and chickpeas are added. The noodles are steamed, separated and moistened with a little sauce and oil, then steamed again. Turnips and courgettes cook in the sauce after the chicken is removed. The noodles are served with the chicken, chickpeas and vegetables on top, with extra sauce separately and optional ground cinnamon.^[1]