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Authentic Algerian Tlitli Recipe
Rebiai min eat

Authentic Algerian Tlitli Recipe

A traditional Algerian dish featuring steamed bird's tongue pasta cooked in a rich, spiced chicken broth with chickpeas, vegetables, and boiled eggs.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 5 people
Course: main course, main dish
Cuisine: algerian, Mediterranean, North African
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ​500g Orzo or Bird's tongue pasta Tlitli
  • ​4 chicken pieces
  • ​1 large onion finely diced
  • ​3 cloves garlic minced
  • ​1 cup cooked chickpeas
  • ​2 medium carrots sliced vertically
  • ​2 medium zucchini cut into large chunks
  • ​3 hard-boiled eggs halved
  • ​2 tbsp tomato paste
  • ​2 tbsp clarified butter ghee or smen
  • ​1 tsp cinnamon powder
  • ​1 tsp paprika
  • ​1 tsp Ras El Hanout
  • ​Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ​Water for boiling and steaming

Method
 

  1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan and lightly toast the raw Tlitli pasta until slightly golden.
  2. Place the toasted pasta in a steamer basket over boiling water and steam for 15 minutes.
  3. Transfer pasta to a bowl, sprinkle with warm salted water, fluff with a fork, and let rest.
  4. In a large pot, melt ghee and sauté the onion, garlic, and chicken pieces until browned.
  5. Add spices (cinnamon, paprika, ras el hanout, salt, pepper) and tomato paste. Mix well.
  6. Pour in 1.2 liters of hot water, add chickpeas and carrots, and simmer for 25 minutes.
  7. Add zucchini and steam the Tlitli pasta a second time over the pot for 10-12 minutes.
  8. Once chicken and veggies are cooked, transfer the steamed pasta into a large wide pan.
  9. Strain half of the rich broth over the pasta and simmer gently on low heat until absorbed.
  10. Dish the pasta onto a serving plate, top with chicken, vegetables, chickpeas, and hard-boiled eggs.

Notes

 
Notes:
Toasting the pasta prevents it from becoming gummy or sticky during steaming.
You can substitute chicken with lamb or beef for a deeper broth flavor.
Nutrition:
Calories: 520 kcal
Carbohydrates: 68 g
Protein: 32 g
Fat: 14 g