Curried Yellow Split Pea And Creamy Cashew Dip Food

FAVOSALATA: YELLOW SPLIT PEA DIP

Steps:

• Heat a medium pot over medium low heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the white and light green part of the scallions [as well as the garlic if not using black garlic or roasted garlic]. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until lightly golden.
• Add the split peas, broth or water, wine (or more broth, see note), and salt. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer. Cook partially covered for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender but not mushy. Keep an eye on the pot in the final 10 minutes of cooking and add broth or wine if it gets too dry.
• In a blender or food processor, add the cooked peas, 1 cup of water, black garlic (or roasted garlic if using), and turmeric. Process until smooth adding more water if needed to make a smooth and creamy spread. Add the olive oil and the lemon juice and blend to combine. Taste and add additional salt or lemon juice to taste.
• To serve, spread onto a shallow dish and pour some olive oil over top. Sprinkle on some toasted pine nuts and the green part of the scallions. Enjoy with some flat bread or crudité.

CREAMY SPLIT PEA CURRY

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish with a lid. Add the onions and peppers, and cook for 10 mins until softened. Add the curry paste and nigella seeds, stir for 1 min, then add the split peas, tomatoes, coconut milk and coriander stalks. Bring to a simmer, then cover and bubble gently for 45 mins, or until the split peas are tender. If eating at different times, turn off the heat and cover the curry with a lid. Reheat on the hob or in a microwave until piping hot, adding a splash of water if the curry looks too thick.
• Just before serving, add the lime zest and juice, coconut yogurt and generous seasoning. Serve with rice or naan, with a dollop of yogurt on top and scattered with coriander leaves.

EASY CURRIED YELLOW DAL (YELLOW SPLIT PEAS)

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and salt. Saute until soft, about five minutes. Add garlic and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add remaining spices and stir. Saute for about 1 minute, cooking spices. If spices start to stick to pan, add some water - 1/4 cup should do. Add peas and stir to coat with butter, onion, and spice mixture. Add broth, 1/2 cup water and bring to boil. Cover and reduce heat to simmer.
• Simmer for 40-50 minutes or until peas are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. (Check peas periodically - you may need to add more water during cooking if peas are absorbing the liquid too quickly). Garnish with chopped cilantro/coriander leaves before serving.
• Options: Serve with hot basmati or brown rice for a filling one-dish meal. Or, double the broth/water to make a curried pea soup. To turn this into a spicy curry, add some finely chopped jalapeno, serrano, or chile pepper at the same time as the garlic.
• Update 1/6/2010: Some people have reported issues with the peas taking longer to soften. I have never had an issue but try cooking the onions without salt and waiting until the last 10 minutes or so of cooking time to add the salt. I have heard salt interfers with lentils softening perhaps it is the same for split peas. Curry powder - I usually use a mild Indian yellow variety, the all-purpose kind found in most US supermarkets. But I have also made this with a hot Madras and it was also delicious (but spicy!).

YELLOW SPLIT PEA DIP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the split peas with the onion, bay leaf and 4 cups of water and bring to a simmer.
• Cover and cook over moderate heat until the split peas are tender, about 25 minutes. Drain the split peas and discard the bay leaf.
• In a food processor, pulse the sun-dried tomatoes with the vinegar, garlic, shallots, basil, oregano and thyme until minced.
• Add the split peas. With the machine on, slowly pour in the 1/2 cup of olive oil and process until a smooth paste forms.
• Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the dip to a bowl, drizzle with olive oil and serve with toasted pita.

MEDITERRANEAN SPLIT PEA DIP

Steps:

• Rinse the split peas under running cold water.
• Put in medium-sized pan and add the coarsely chopped onion, the garlic and plenty of cold water.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 45 minutes or until very tender.
• Drain, reserving some of the cooking liquid, and put in a food processor or blender.
• Add 5 tablespoons of the oil and process until smooth.
• If the mixture seems too dry, add enough of the reserved liquid to form a smooth, thick puree. (If you don't have a food processor you can mash the spilt peas with a fork in a bowl).
• Add the oregano and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Turn the mixture into a serving bowl and sprinkle with the finely chopped onion and extra oregano, if desired.
• Drizzle over the remaining oil.
• Serve warm or cold with savory biscuits.

YELLOW SPLIT PEA DAL

Steps:

• Place split peas in a saucepan with 5 cups of water.
• Cover and bring to boil.
• Lower heat and simmer very slowly, partially covered until soft (2-2/12 hours) Melt butter in large skillet.
• Add crushed garlic, cumin, mustard seeds, turmeric, and cinnamon.
• Cook, stirring, over medium heat for 3 minutes.
• Add cooked peas and stir until everything is well mixed.
• Keep stirring and cooking as you gradually add an additional 1/2 cup water.
• You want a creamy consistency but not soup.
• Add salt, black and red peppers.
• Cook and stir another 5 minutes over low heat.
• Serve hot.

CURRIED YELLOW SPLIT PEA SOUP WITH SPICED COCONUT

Steps:

• Soup:
• Heat a large heavy pot over medium and pour in oil. Add onion and carrots, season with a five-finger pinch of salt, and cook, stirring often, until vegetables are very tender and just taking on a hint of color at the edges, about 5 minutes. Lightly crush fennel seeds with a mortar and pestle, or roughly chop them. Add fennel seeds, curry, and mustard seeds to pot and cook, stirring, until fragrant (the mustard seeds may begin to pop), less than a minute. Add split peas, stir to coat, then add stock and 4 cups water. Increase heat and bring to a boil, then simmer, stirring occasionally and adding more water if soup looks too thick, until split peas are very tender and some are starting to disintegrate, 50-55 minutes.
• Mash soup with a potato masher until split peas are in small pieces and soup is textured but creamy (if you prefer a smoother soup, use an immersion blender directly in the pot). Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt.
• Coconut and assembly:
• While the soup is simmering, lightly crush coriander, fennel, and mustard seeds.
• Heat oil in a small skillet over medium and cook coconut flakes and spices, stirring constantly, until spices are sizzling and coconut is golden brown, about 1 minute. Transfer to a plate, season with salt, and let cool (coconut will crisp as it cools).
• Serve soup topped with spiced coconut and cilantro.

CURRIED CASHEW DIP

Steps:

• Tip all the ingredients, except the Bombay mix, into a food processor. Blend until smooth, then season to taste. If the mixture is too thick, add a little more lime juice or a splash of cold water.
• Spoon into a bowl and sprinkle over the Bombay mix before serving with chicken skewers, carrot sticks and naan bread.