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Tbikha (Spring Medley of Artichoke Hearts, Fava Beans, and Peas in Spicy Garlic Sauce)
A vibrant spring ragout of tender artichokes, sweet peas, and fava beans simmered in a piquant garlic-paprika emulsion bound by rice.
The story
Tbikha is the crowning culinary celebration of spring across the fertile Mitidja plain and the ancient Casbah of Algiers, coinciding with the peak harvest of sweet baby legumes. Prepared by home cooks as a nourishing, plant-forward centerpiece, it captures the fleeting moment when wild artichokes, fresh peas, and tender fava beans are in abundance. A hallmark technical nuance is the addition of a small handful of short-grain rice, which slowly discharges its surface starches to bind the fiery garlic and olive oil dersa into a thick, clinging sauce.
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