North African spices amp up Italian pasta sauce

Many Americans think of only a handful of countries when they hear the word Mediterranean. But that sea is surrounded by a diverse set of peoples and cuisines that have been blending — deliciously — for millennia.

Take, for instance, macroona mbakbka, a satisfying one-pot meal that’s considered the national dish of Libya. Pasta made its way into Libyan cooking through Italian colonization during the early to mid-20th century.

For mbakbka, it’s paired with spices, tomato and chicken, or sometimes other types of meat.

For our version from our book “Milk Street Tuesday Nights, Mediterranean,” which limits recipes to 45 minutes or less, we brown chicken thighs, then cook pasta shells in a spiced tomato sauce spiked with harissa, a North African spice paste. The harissa is a simple way to incorporate both chili heat and a mixture of aromatic spices.

We also add green beans to round out the dish. For mild palates, or if the harissa you purchase is especially spicy, use the lesser amount; for bolder heat, use the larger quantity, and offer more at the table, too.

Harissa-spiced pasta and chicken with green beans

Total time: 40 minutes

Makes: 4 to 6 servings

1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

1 to 2 tablespoons harissa paste

Kosher salt and ground black pepper 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

⅓ cup tomato paste

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

4 medium garlic cloves, minced

¾ teaspoon ground allspice

1 pound medium pasta shells

8 ounces green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

3 cups boiling water

½ cup finely chopped fresh mint or flat-leaf parsley

1. In a large bowl, stir together the chicken, harissa and ¼ teaspoon salt. In a large Dutch oven over medium-high, heat the oil until barely smoking. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink on the surface, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, return the chicken to the bowl.

2. To the pot over medium, add the tomato paste and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to darken and stick to the bottom, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the onion and ¼ teaspoon salt, then cook, stirring occasionally, until it has softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and allspice and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

3. Add the chicken and any accumulated juices, the pasta and green beans, then stir well. Stir in the boiling water and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and the mixture is saucy. Taste and season with salt and pepper, then stir in the mint.

MILK STREET The harissa in this dish is a simple way to incorporate both chili heat and a mixture of aromatic spices.