Potato and Yellow Split Pea Curry
Seven days into the new year and mine is starting off slowly. During the holidays I took some much needed time away from the computer and website work. Whilst I really enjoyed it now I am finding it hard getting back to the same pace I had before the holidays. Anyone else feeling this way?
The rainy gloomy weather isn’t helping either. These past few days all I’ve wanted to do is sit under a warm blanket with a good book, a cup of coffee and eat warm comforting meals. But those so-called “comforting” meals can quickly turn bad and end up as comforting yet bad fatty food choices with little nutrition all for the sake of a quick meal. Days when I feel like this it can be a struggle to shake off and prepare a healthy and nutritious dinner or lunch.
This potato and yellow split pea curry is a great meal for those lazy days. It not only takes very little effort but it is also full of healthy ingredients. Plus it is a one pot/pan meal so minimal clean up is required. Let me show you how I made it then we’ll talk health benefits.
Potato and Yellow Split Pea Curry
Ingredients
- 3-4 medium potatoes the weight was around 1 lb or 500gm, peeled and cut into equal sizes
- one cup or 200 g of dried yellow split pea
- one medium yellow onion finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- one small piece ginger finely chopped
- 1 to 2 dried red chile peppers
- one large tomato finely chopped
- ¼ tsp whole yellow mustard seed
- 2 curry leaves optional
- one cinnamon stick
- ½ tsp whole coriander seed
- one tbsp whole cumin seed
- *2 tsp Garam Masala (I used my homemade recipe)
- one tsp turmeric powder
- one tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups or 1 lt water or low sodium & no MSG vegetable broth
- freshly chopped cilantro to taste
Instructions
- Pick through and rinse the split peas, set aside and allow to drain. Heat the oil and once warm saute the onion until soft and translucent. Next add ginger and garlic and saute for 2 minutes. Then add all of the spices, curry leaves and chile, cook until the spices begin to pop making sure to stir and prevent burning. Add the potatoes, tomato, split peas, and water/stock. Stir well, cover and simmer until the split peas and potatoes have soften or about 30-40 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Mix in chopped cilantro right before serving. Serve with steamed basmati rice and steamed broccoli if desired.
Notes
I served our curry with steamed Basmati rice (Indian Rice) and freshly steamed broccoli. I love grinding and using my homemade Garam Masala but you can of course use store bought, like this one I’ve used before.
Now let’s talk health benefits. Split peas (yellow or green) are among one of the natural food sources with the highest amount of fiber. The benefits of this high fiber is not only to the digestive system but also to our waist line. Foods high in fiber leave us satiated and full, which means you’ll not only eat less but feel quite satisfied too. Yellow split peas are high in folate, a good source of zinc, provide choline, niacin and pantothenic acid. Additionally they are low in fat and a great source of vegetarian protein. And even though they are a carb they will not spike your blood sugar.
The spices I used are also quite healthy. To name just a few of the benefits, Turmeric is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, anti-inflammatory, detoxifies the liver, may help in weight management and is also an antioxidant. Cilantro helps control blood sugar, Cholesterol and free radical production. Tomatoes are loaded with vitamins and antioxidant. The list goes on…
Regardless of all the health benefits it is also a great meal to fall back on. It really comes in handy on both lazy and busy days. I hope you give it a try and enjoy it as much as we do. Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!
Nancy Lopez is a food blogger and author of the cookbook Mexican Tamales Made Meatless. Born in Mexico, raised in the US, and currently living in Southern Mexico, she has followed a meatless diet for almost 10 years. It is her passion and mission to share all she has learned about vegan Mexican cooking and vegetarian Mexican recipes. Mexican Made Meatless is a blog dedicated to preserving the authentic flavors of Mexican cuisine just without the meat. It’s a place to celebrate Mexican culture and all it’s delightfully delicious traditional foods. Read more…
It got so cold last week that I did sit around with a cup of hot tea or soup and read a good book! What a way to spend time off! This curry warms me up just looking at it. I can taste it and smell it looking at those beautiful pictures!
Lucky;) Thank you MJ!
This looks seriously good. Bring on meatless mondays.
Thanks Bintu!
As you said, a perfect recipe for a lazy day. And comforting as well.
Thanks Victoria!
Just made this and had to let you know how delicious it is! Wonderful. Thanks!
Thanks Elizabeth & glad to hear it!:)
I am still having a heard time getting back in the swing of things 🙂 But this dish might help….gorgeous with such beautiful flavors!
Just cooked this dish 🙂 Lovely smell all around the house. Thanks
Thank you Ana!
Gave this wonderful curry a go last night and I wasn’t disappointed! Unfortunately there’s no fresh coriander available in Slovakia at the moment. *Sob!* But we squeezed some lemon juice over the top instead and it was just divine. Thanks for sharing such a great recipe. And your photographs are simply stunning! 🙂
Hi Koren,
Thank you, and glad to hear you enjoyed the curry. Lemon is a fantastic addition — I’ll try that next time. Thanks for stopping by!:)
Thank you for the recipe! I was looking for a yellow split peas recipe and I will try yours now because looks great!
Thank you Alvaro and enjoy the curry!
Third time that i have cooked and enjoyed this receipe, it is now a firm family fave, made from everything you should have in the store cupboard!! well done you!
Hi Vicky,
Thank you and I’m thrilled that you family enjoys this curry as much as we do.
I am confused. In the health benefits section you refer to cilantro, but the recipe does not contain this ingredient. Was there an omission in the recipe?
Hi George,
Thank you for catching that, cilantro can be mixed in right before serving. Enjoy the curry!
Made this for tea and my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this super curry.Absolutely delicious and will definitely be making this again.Thank you so much for sharing this recipe
I have made your recipe many times now, it’s delicious. Thank you
Hi Susannah! Thank you, I’m glad to hear it. 🙂
Omg this recipe was delicious! Thank you
Thank you Angie, glad to hear it!