Caribbean · side, lunch

Trini Dhal (Trinidad Yellow Split Pea Soup)

Video by Foodie Nation on YouTube · Open on YouTube

50 minServes 8116 kcal a serve
  • Vegan
  • Gluten-free ingredients
  • Nut-free

Contains: none of the common allergens in the listed ingredients. Check labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes.

A plant-based dal built on split peas, giving each serve about 6 g of protein and 6 g of fibre for around 115 kcal, with turmeric, cumin and garlic for flavour instead of meat or cream.

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Ingredients 15

Method

Tap a time to watch that step in the video.

  1. Wash the split peas well and soak them overnight in just enough water to cover. Drain. 1:21
  2. Bring 5 cups of water to a boil with the split peas, salt, turmeric, ground geera, 5 cloves of garlic, the onion and pimento peppers. Lower to a simmer and cook for 30–35 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until the peas break down. 1:51
  3. Swizzle or blend the dhal until smooth (or leave a little texture), stir in a little tamarind chutney if you like, and simmer 5–10 minutes more to your preferred thickness. 4:26
  4. For the chunkay, heat the oil in a small pan, add the cumin seeds and curry leaves for about a minute, then the remaining garlic for 20–30 seconds until golden. 7:04
  5. Carefully pour the sizzling oil into the dhal, stir, season with salt and pepper and serve. 9:44

Tip. Serves 8 as a side, or 4 as a bowl of soup. Time excludes the overnight soak. Serve with rice or roti; it thickens as it stands, so loosen with hot water when reheating.

The method is a summary in our words — the video shows every step.

One serve gives you 1 of 8

Energy116 kcal490 kJ
Protein5.6 g11% of a day
Fibre5.6 g20% of a day
Carbohydrate16 g11 g net · 2.9 g sugars6% of a day
Fat3.7 g0.3 g saturated5% of a day
Sodium390 mg17% of a day

Where the energy comes from one serve

  • Net carbs 45%
  • Protein 22%
  • Fat 33%

For comparison, low-carb eating usually gets under 26% of its energy from carbs, and ketogenic eating under 10%. Why this is here

Vitamins & minerals % of a day, one serve · tap for more

Omega-3 High21%

0.3 g a serve, mostly from vegetable oil (93%). Omega-3 fats support the heart and brain. Oily fish give EPA and DHA; walnuts, flax, chia and canola give ALA, which the body converts only a little.

Folate Source11%

43 µg a serve, mostly from dried yellow split peas (94%). Needed to make DNA and new cells — especially important before and in early pregnancy. Legumes and leafy greens are rich sources.

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Vitamin C7%

6 mg a serve, mostly from pimento peppers (74%). An antioxidant needed for collagen, immunity and iron absorption. Long cooking destroys some, so raw herbs, citrus and capsicum help.

Potassium6%

270 mg a serve, mostly from dried yellow split peas (83%). Balances sodium to help control blood pressure and keeps muscles and nerves working. Beans, potatoes, leafy greens and fruit are rich sources.

Iron6%

1.1 mg a serve, mostly from dried yellow split peas (72%). Carries oxygen in your blood. Iron from plants absorbs better with vitamin C in the same meal — lemon, tomato or capsicum.

Magnesium6%

27 mg a serve, mostly from dried yellow split peas (83%). Takes part in hundreds of reactions — energy, muscles, nerves, blood sugar and bones. Nuts, seeds, legumes and whole grains are good sources.

Zinc6%

0.7 mg a serve, mostly from dried yellow split peas (91%). Needed for immunity, wound healing, taste and growth. Meat, seafood, legumes, seeds and whole grains supply it.

Vitamin K6%

6.7 µg a serve, mostly from dried yellow split peas (46%). Needed for blood clotting and bones. Leafy greens and herbs are very rich in it. If you take warfarin, keep your intake steady and talk to your doctor.

Vitamin E5%

0.8 mg a serve, mostly from vegetable oil (78%). An antioxidant that protects cell membranes. Nuts, seeds and plant oils such as olive oil are the main sources.

Vitamin B65%

0.1 mg a serve, mostly from dried yellow split peas (36%). Helps turn food into energy and make brain messengers. Chickpeas, fish, poultry, potatoes and bananas are good sources.

Selenium2%

0.8 µg a serve, mostly from dried yellow split peas (45%). Part of the body's antioxidant enzymes and needed for thyroid hormones. Seafood, eggs, meat and Brazil nuts are rich sources.

Calcium1%

19 mg a serve, mostly from dried yellow split peas (46%). Builds bones and teeth and helps muscles and nerves work. Dairy, calcium-set tofu, sardines with their bones and some greens supply it.

Vitamin A0%

2.3 µg a serve, mostly from pimento peppers (86%). Keeps eyes, skin and the immune system healthy. Orange vegetables and dark greens give beta-carotene, which the body turns into vitamin A.

Vitamin D0%

0 µg a serve. Helps you absorb calcium for bones and supports muscles. Few foods have much — oily fish, eggs, UV-exposed mushrooms, fortified milks. Sunlight is the main source.

Vitamin B120%

0 µg a serve. Keeps nerves and blood cells healthy. Found almost only in animal foods and fortified foods (some plant milks, nutritional yeast), so vegans need a reliable source.

Estimated from the ingredient list with USDA FoodData Central values; % of a day uses the food-label daily values. How this works

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Recipe and video by Foodie Nation; the method summary, nutrition estimate and diet notes are Notbroken’s. General information about food, not dietary advice.