Learn how to make this simple Trinidadian style seasoned dhal made from split peas and serve with rice or flatbread. This meal is flavoursome and filling, it doubles up as comfort food or a spicy week day dish - the choice is yours!!

If you are an avid reader of my website then you will probably already know that I am a huge fan of legumes.

I usually eat some type of legume on a daily basis, sometimes in the form of a light soup and other times consume them mashed or even whole.

Irrespective of how I cook them, what's more important to me is the nutritional content.

Legumes are very contemporary in the vegan/meatless lifestyle. What most people fail to realise is that legumes are a good source of iron which helps with the formation of red blood cells.

They are also an excellent source of protein too.

Society would have us think that the only true method to procure protein is via meat, well this isn't entirely true. Although I'm not a vegan, I do enjoy eating a variety of plant based food.

The Caribbean is known for it's carnivore nature, what can I say many Islanders enjoy eating goat, pork, lamb, beef, fish/seafood, chicken and other localised meat delicacies. However, the Caribbean lifestyle does embrace vegetarian/vegan dishes.

About Trinidadian dhal

One fine example of a meatless dish is this one which hails from Trinidad and Tobago which is the home of Green Seasoning and Pineapple Chow..

My recipe is inspired by the Trinidadian method of preparing dhal. While the word dhal or dal is associated with a pulse that has been split, it plays a crucial role in southern Asian cuisines.

Trinidad and Tobago has a large population of Indians so many of the Island's dishes bears a strong Asian influence.

This Trinidadian style Dhal is very simple to make, you will find many of the ingredients to be not only inexpensive but relativity easy to obtain.

A small amount of finely chopped scotch bonnet is included in the recipe, which can be purchased from any Caribbean grocery store. If you do not live in a diverse community then simply substitute this with a fresh chilli instead.

The dhal shouldn't take very long to cook, once the split peas have been rinsed, the most time consuming aspect will be boiling the pulse in order for them to soften. Leaving the pulse to soak overnight is another way to hasten the boiling/softening stage.

The vast majority of the ingredients will be added to the saucepan prior to boiling - garlic, onions, pepper and turmeric for colour (some people use saffron).

Thin vs thicker dhal

The thickness of the dhal shall be determined by the cook, I like my dhal slightly thin but not watery so 5 cups of water to one cup of dhal is suffice.

However if you like your dhal thick then either add more spilt peas or scale back the water by 1-2 cups worth.

To make a thick dhal simply use 3 cups of water instead. At first the dhal may appear not too thick but as it gets colder it will get a lot thicker so keep that in mind.

Once the dhal has boiled and slightly coool. Use a hand held blender like an immersion stick blender to puree.

The final step in my opinion really enhances the flavour of dhal and this is known as chunkay - where garlic and cuming (geera) is tempered in a small amount of oil. This process releases the flavour of the aforementioned before being poured over the dhal.

You can serve dhal with roti, naan bread or rice.

How to make dhal

Wash the split peas and add them to the saucepan with the amount of water you desire.

Add the ingredients listed and bring the pan to the boil.

Use a hand blender to puree the split peas in water then prepare to chunkay the garlic and cumin seeds

Pour the cumin seed/garlic/oil into the dhal and mix

Reasons to make this recipe

It's fat free and suitable for weight loss lifstyle
High in iron/replenishes red blood cells and helps to fight anemia
Legumes are high in protein
Contains slow releasing carbohydrates making you feel fuller for longer
Vegan and vegetarian friendly

Can you use another type of legume to make this dhal?

Yes, although split peas are traditionally used, you can use another type of legume/bean such as red, green or brown lentils.

Is this recipe very spicy?

It's not extremely spicy however, there is some heat to it. I would say it's mild/moderate However, if you do not care for any spiciness then omit the use of chilli.

Other vegan Trinidadian recipes to try

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