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Authentic Algerian Kwaret Recipe
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Authentic Algerian Kwaret Recipe (Mostaganem Steamed Pasta)

A famous traditional steamed pasta dish from Mostaganem, Algeria, served with savory spiced minced meat, grated boiled eggs, and rich smen.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: main course, main dish, Traditional Recipes
Cuisine: algerian, Mediterranean, North African
Calories: 580
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g Kwaret traditional pasta squares
  • 300 g ground beef
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 3 hard-boiled eggs grated
  • 2 tbsp smen clarified butter or unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste
  • Warm water for sprinkling

Method
 

  1. Lightly Oil Pasta: Place dried Kwaret in a large bowl, drizzle with 1 tbsp vegetable oil, and rub gently to coat.
  2. ​First Steam: Transfer pasta to a steamer basket over boiling water and steam for 15 minutes.
  3. ​Moisten & Rest: Empty steamed Kwaret into a wide dish, sprinkle with 1/2 cup warm salted water, fluff gently, and let sit for 10 minutes.
  4. ​Second Steam: Return pasta to the steamer and steam for another 15 minutes until very soft.
  5. ​Cook Meat: In a skillet, heat 1 tbsp oil and sauté chopped onions until translucent. Add ground beef, salt, black pepper, and cinnamon. Cook until golden brown.
  6. ​Finish Pasta: Transfer hot steamed Kwaret to a serving dish and melt the smen (or butter) into it.
  7. ​Assemble & Decorate: Plate the buttery pasta and decorate the top with alternating lines of cooked ground beef and grated hard-boiled eggs in a crisscross pattern. Serve warm!

Notes

 
Authentic Flavor Enhancer: For the most genuine Mostaganem taste, use traditional Algerian Smen (clarified salted butter). If unavailable, top-grade European unsalted butter mixed with a tiny pinch of sea salt will work nicely.
Steaming Technique: Do not rush the steaming process. Ensuring the pasta is lightly greased with oil before the first steam prevents the squares from sticking together into a dense clump.
Serving & Presentation: Plate the Kwaret immediately while steaming hot. The warmth melts the top butter layer into the ground beef and grated eggs, combining all flavors beautifully before serving.
Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare the seasoned minced meat and hard-boiled eggs a day in advance. Store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator, then warm the meat gently just before assembling the dish.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 portion (approx. 350g)
Calories: 585 kcal
Total Fat: 24 g (31% Daily Value)
Saturated Fat: 9 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 185 mg (62% Daily Value)
Sodium: 620 mg (27% Daily Value)
Total Carbohydrates: 62 g (23% Daily Value)
Dietary Fiber: 4 g (14% Daily Value)
Sugars: 3 g
Protein: 30 g (60% Daily Value)
Vitamin D: 0.9 mcg
Calcium: 65 mg
Iron: 4.2 mg
Potassium: 410 mg