Rishta bil Adas

Name: Rishta bil Adas
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Libyan
Ingredients: 2 cups flour; Water for dough; 1 cup brown lentils; 1 onion, diced; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp turmeric; 1 tsp cumin; 1/2 tsp black pepper; Salt; 4 cups water; 1 dried lime (optional)

رشتة بالعدس (RISH-tah bil AH-das)

Libyan Noodles with Lentils

⏱ Prep Time 50 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 418 kcal

Hand-cut noodles simmered with brown lentils in a warming turmeric-tinged broth. This rustic Libyan comfort dish is hearty, wholesome, and deeply satisfying.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 20.0g

Carbs 62.0g

Fat 10.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian vegan dairy-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ gluten

Equipment Needed

large pot cutting board rolling pin

Presentation Guide

Vessel: deep bowl

Garnishes: olive oil drizzle

Accompaniments: crusty bread

Ingredients

2 cups flour
Water for dough
1 cup brown lentils
1 onion, diced
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp black pepper
Salt
4 cups water
1 dried lime (optional)

Instructions

1
Make a firm dough with flour, water, and salt. Knead well, rest 15 minutes, then roll thin and cut into short noodle strips.
2
Cook lentils in 4 cups of water for 15 minutes until half-tender.
3
In another pot, saute onion in olive oil until golden. Add tomato paste, turmeric, and cumin, stirring for 2 minutes.
4
Add the lentils with their cooking water to the onion mixture. Bring to a simmer.
5
Drop in the fresh noodle strips, stir gently, and cook 12-15 minutes until both noodles and lentils are tender.
6
Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot in deep bowls with a drizzle of olive oil.

💡

Did You Know?

Libyan grandmothers can tell the noodles are done by the sound of the bubbling pot changing pitch as the broth thickens.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large pot
cutting board
rolling pin

Garnishing

olive oil drizzle

Accompaniments

crusty bread

The Story Behind Rishta bil Adas

Rishta bil adas represents the ancient marriage of grain and legume that sustained North African civilizations for millennia. The hand-cut noodles predate Italian pasta influence, reflecting an indigenous tradition of boiled dough. This is the food of Libyan winters and lean times, nutritionally complete and infinitely comforting. The dish connects to a pan-Middle Eastern tradition of noodle-lentil soups, but the Libyan version stands out for its turmeric color and bzaar spice depth.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed weekday dinner, winter 📜 Origins: Traditional Libyan

Comments (0)

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!