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
- 1/4 tsp whole yellow mustard seed
- 2 curry leaves optional
- one cinnamon stick
- 1/2 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…
I m loving the new looks… Nancy! Not a classic combination but nevertheless something that you can turn to for comfort- Potatoes and split yellow peas. Aint it? It should be absolute bliss to dunk in some pita or naan into this
Thank you Anusha! Its perfect with any flat bread:)
A delicious curry! Just the kind of dish I love to eat on weekdays…
Cheers,
Rosa
Thanks Rosa!
Nancy, I am sold on the health benefits! That curry not only looks beautiful but it is making my tummy growwllll……Beautiful photos, makes me want to grab my pot and cook some curry 🙂
Thank you and I hope you enjoy it soon!
Nothing beats a dish that is simple to prepare, delicious and healthy. Gold star for you Nancy!!
Agreed and thanks Sandra;)
I know what you mean. I worked one day last week and I was away before that so I’ve been delaying going to work this morning. Returning to real life is hard sometimes. 🙂
This healthy, comforting curry would be just the thing I need to get me going. Happy New Year, Nancy!
Thanks Jean and I hope 2013 has started off great for you!
Quite a droolworthy curry, such atis. wonderful combo..Excellent side dish for rice or rotis.
Thank Priya!
It’s windy, cloudy and grey here – I could use a bowl of that for lunch!
A perfect dish for that weather Alyssa.
What a gorgeous and delicious looking curry!
Thank you!
I know what you mean about a post-holiday (food) funk! For these days, I would recommend reading this adorable but zen-ifying book: http://books.google.com/books/about/Eeyore_you_re_the_best.html?id=PAylnnZ4xZwC (I don’t know where you could find online text, but a mystery elf left a copy on my desk this morning b/c I’m a notorious Disney lover…thought I’d share the joy!)
Thanks Ala for the recommendation I’ll check it out soon.
Yellow curry is my absolute favorite! This looks wonderful, can’t wait to try it!
Thanks Laura!
this looks so hearty and delicious! the perfect meal for a cold winter’s night.
Thank you Caitlin!
Delicious curry dish…I think I would devour the whole bowl of it…the pictures are so beautiful Nancy.
Happy 2013 and have a great week ahead!
Thank you Juliana and a Happy New Year to you too!
I can imagine it would be hard to get motivated when it’s cold and raining outside. Fortunately I don’t have that problem and since I have just had two weeks holiday from work, I have been able to completely change up my blog and now feel quite motivated. But the sunshine helps heaps.
That’s great and glad it is going well for you Suzanne. I need some sunshine to get me motivated.
Oh, I so want to try this one! Something about January makes me crave curries and legumes and potatoes. 😀
Thanks Kiersten and I hope you do soon.
A lovely warming dish I could easily eat without any accompaniments at all ! Loved the photography also: well, when don’t I on this blog 🙂 !
Yes, it would be good just on its own too Eha. Thank you:)
Never heard of Indian red chile. Any substitute?
You can use any dried chile or fresh chile of your choice. Enjoy:)
gorgeous curry. definitely need something warm and comforting for these january days…
Thank you Anna!
I totally know what you mean. This time of year is tough for me. The dark in the morning when I leave for work, and dark in the evening when I get home zaps my energy. I too, just want to curl up and read. I’d love to do that with this soup for lunch. Spring will come soon. 🙂
Hi Kristi, Agh this grey dark days. I can’t wait for spring!
I hear you. I took about 10 days off but my kids being off from school is actually more work for me and I am not sure if I had rest… lol. Now it’s time to catch up but it’s been a little hard. The cold weather, being sick, and lack of motivation (and it’s beginning of year too!). Hope we can cheer up each other. Well you did with this delicious looking curry! 😉 I remember you said you love potatoes. Me too and so happy seeing a big chunk in this curry.
Nami you are my hero and I wish I had as much energy as you muster up. Yay for potatoes! 🙂
We are all curry lovers here at home but my repertoire is quite limited. This recipe is so apt for now when we have all overdosed on meat in the holidays. Lovely dish, Nancy.
We too love our curry and it can be a challenge keeping things fresh sometimes. That’s when you have to experiment. Thank Adora!
All I need is this curry and a bowl of brown rice… and I’m set. I have been working on a lot of fun food these first few days of the year… I guess I’m trying to make up to my family after we all got sick over Christmas. I do need to throw some healthier curries back into my diet.. otherwise it will not be a good year for my waistline. 🙂
It would be perfect with some brown rice Ramona. I hope you are all feeling better now. Thanks!
HI, your curry sure look very tempting and awesome. Excellent pictures, very well taken and lovely presentation. Nice to eat with french loaf.
Have a nice day.
That sounds delicious Amelia! Thanks:)
What a great soup! I just love soups during the colder months. This looks great my dear!
Thanks Ravie!
Hi Nancy!
Could I just dive right in to your bowl of curry (your photos and recipes just have that effect on me;-)
All my very best wishes for a Happy New Year and I look forward to following your beautiful blog in 2013;-)
Aw thanks so much Patty! My very best wishes to you and yours. May 2013 be a fantastic year for you! xx
“cook until the spices begin to poop” ?? gross 🙂
Hahahaha!! Oh my good thanks for catching that Blake! I’ve corrected it now 🙂