Serves 6 - 8

Ingredients:

300 gm of fettuccine  

250 gm chicken breast fillet strips 

1 tsp crushed garlic

2 cups fresh spinach (washed, drained)

1.5 cups broccoli florets (washed, drained)

3 litres béchamel sauce (divided into 2 portions: 1 litre & 2 litres)

250 gm mixture of shredded Mozzarella and grated Edam (divided)

2 tbsp Dijon mustard

2 chicken bouillon cubes

Breadcrumbs to coat base of baking dish (discard excess)

Butter to lightly coat base of baking dish

Salt (to taste) + pepper + herbes de Provençe (or) oregano + grated nutmeg

2 tbsp olive oil 

Method:

Heat a wide skillet on medium high.  Add oil and garlic and stir.  When about to change colour; add chicken strips.  Stir on all sides to turn light brown in colour.  Season generously.  Stir in spinach and broccoli; to wilt.   Add bouillons and almost half a cup of pasta water.  Bring to the boil.  Cover and simmer over low heat to cook chicken.    Uncover fifteen minutes later.   If any waters are still not absorbed; stir for a few moments over medium-high heat until almost dried out.  Meanwhile, cook pasta; slightly less than al dente.   Drain.  Gently mix with chicken mixture.  Pour the one litre portion of sauce over mixture. Add mustard and gently mix well to incorporate, then pour evenly into prepared ovenproof baking dish.   Scatter some cheese mixture on top.   Pour remaining béchamel sauce evenly over and scatter remaining cheese on top.   Bake at a preheated oven degree of 220 Centigrade.  Remove when top is golden.   Serve with a green salad aside.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 5 September, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly