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Gâteaux piments
Mauritian split-pea chilli fritters, crisp and spicy
Gâteaux piments ('chilli cakes') are the snack of Mauritius, sold hot in paper bags at every bus station, school gate and market from Port Louis to Rose-Hill, and stuffed into buttered baguettes at breakfast. Yellow split peas are soaked, ground coarse with chilli, spring onion and coriander, and fried into small crunchy rounds. They are related to Indian vadas, brought by the island's Indian community. Chef's tip: grind the peas coarsely and without water; a smooth, wet paste makes dense, oily fritters.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Drain 10 ½ oz yellow split peas very well. Pulse in a food processor with 4 green chillies until coarse and grainy, like wet couscous, with no added water.
Step 2: Mix in 4 spring onions, 1 small bunch fresh coriander, 1 tsp cumin seeds, ¼ tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp salt and ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda.
Step 3: Heat 3 cups vegetable oil for frying to 350°F. With wet hands, roll walnut-sized balls, flatten slightly and press a small hole in the middle with your finger so they cook through.
5 minStep 4: Fry in batches for 4–5 minutes, turning, until deep golden and crisp. Drain on kitchen paper. Common mistake: crowding the pan — the oil cools and they soak it up.
15 minStep 5: Eat hot, on their own or in buttered bread.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 300 kcal
- Protein
- 12 g
- Carbs
- 30 g
- Fat
- 15 g
- Fibre
- 12 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does gâteaux piments take?
- About 40 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Is it very spicy?
- It has some heat. Use less chilli for a milder version, or more if you like it hot.
- What can I use instead of spring onions?
- Chives, or a little finely sliced onion.
- What can I use instead of fresh coriander?
- Flat-leaf parsley with a little mint (for people who dislike coriander too).
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