Mauritian cuisine is a blend of diverse cultures that has resulted in a unique and delicious culinary experience. One of the most popular dishes is Dal or Dholl, made with yellow split peas, which is hearty, comforting and flavourful. Today, we will share a step-by-step recipe for making Mauritian-style Dal that you can easily prepare at home.
INGREDIENTS
12
RECIPE STEPS
6
TOTAL TIME
30 m
Why You Need This Recipe
- Easy to Prepare: This recipe is simple and easy to make, even for novice cooks. It requires minimal prep time and can be ready in under 30 minutes.
- Healthy Meal: This vegetarian dish is a great source of protein and fibre, making it a nutritious meal option. It’s also gluten-free and vegan-friendly, making it suitable for a wide range of dietary requirements.
- Delicious and Comforting: The blend of spices, herbs and vegetables in this recipe creates a rich and aromatic flavour that will warm your soul and leave you feeling satisfied and content.
About Dal (Mauritian Yellow Split Pea Soup)
Dal is a staple dish in Mauritius and is usually served with rice, roti or bread. It’s a vegetarian dish that is rich in protein, fibre and essential nutrients, making it a healthy and satisfying meal option.
Star Ingredient
Yellow Split Peas (Dal)
Yellow Split Peas are a nutritious and versatile ingredient that have been used in cooking for centuries. They originated in India and have been cultivated for over 7,000 years, and are now commonly used in soups, stews, and curries around the world.
READ MORE: Why yellow split peas are the easiest lentil to cook with →
Other Ingredients
- Onion, Garlic and Ginger: The aromatic trio of onion, garlic and ginger gives this dish its flavour and depth.
- Tomatoes and Green Chilli: These ingredients add a tangy and spicy kick to the dish.
- Curry Leaves (Karipoule): Curry leaves add a fragrant and aromatic flavour to the dish.
Scroll to the bottom to find the full list of ingredients and detailed recipe.
Prepping Tips
- Rinse the yellow split peas thoroughly before cooking to remove any impurities.
- Cut the vegetables into small pieces to ensure they cook evenly and blend well with the other ingredients.
Complete Recipe Steps
Here’s a summary of the steps you need to follow to make Dal.
1
Rinse the yellow split peas twice and place in a pressure cooker pot with water and turmeric powder. Add salt and allow to cook, covered for approximately 10 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally.
2
Heat the oil in a pot over medium-high heat and fry the onions until fragrant.
Scroll to the bottom for the printable recipe card
3
Add the tomatoes, chilli, coriander and curry leaves with another pinch of salt.
4
5
6
How to Serve Dal
Dal is usually served with rice, but you can also pair it with roti or bread. Garnish with coriander leaves and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Can I use canned yellow split peas instead of dried?
Yes, you can use canned yellow split peas, but reduce the cooking time to 5 minutes in the pressure cooker pot.
Can I freeze Dal?
Yes, you can freeze Dal for up to 2 months. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container and thaw it completely before reheating.
Can I make Dal in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can make Dal in a slow cooker by following the same steps but cook it on low for 6-8 hours.
Printable Recipe Card
Mauritian Dal is a comforting and delicious meal that you can easily prepare at home. With its blend of aromatic spices and vegetables, this dish is sure to satisfy your taste buds and warm your soul. Follow our easy recipe and enjoy this hearty and healthy meal with your loved ones.
Dal (Mauritian Yellow Split Pea Soup)
Equipment
- Pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 400 g yellow split peas
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 l water
- ½ tsp garlic diced
- ½ tsp ginger diced
- salt to taste
- 3 to 4 tbsp rice bran oil or other neutral-flavoured cooking oil
- 1 brown onion large, diced
- 4 tomatoes
- 1 green chilli
- coriander for garnish
- 5 to 6 curry leaves
Complete Recipe Steps
- Rinse the yellow split peas twice and place in a pressure cooker pot with water and turmeric powder. Add salt and allow to cook, covered for approximately 10 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally.400 g yellow split peas, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 l water, salt
- Heat the oil in a pot over medium-high heat and fry the onions until fragrant. Add garlic and ginger and fry gently for a couple of minutes.½ tsp garlic, 3 to 4 tbsp rice bran oil, 1 brown onion, ½ tsp ginger
- Add the tomatoes, chilli, coriander and curry leaves with another pinch of salt.4 tomatoes, 1 green chilli, coriander, 5 to 6 curry leaves
- Simmer until the mixture thickens.
- Add half a glass of water to the mixture to loosen the Dal, season to taste, mix well and bring the mixture to a boil before turning off the heat.
- Serve hot with rice.
Notes
- If you don't have a pressure cooker pot, you can cook the yellow split peas in a regular pot for approximately 40-45 minutes or until they are soft and tender.
- Adjust the amount of chilli according to your taste preference. If you prefer a milder flavour, you can remove the seeds from the chilli or use less of it.
- To make this dish even more flavourful, you can add a teaspoon of cumin powder and coriander powder while cooking the tomatoes.
A must when eating 7 curries. Sooo good.