"Chilli Cakes"

Gateaux Piments

Ingredients:

• 250g dholl (split peas),

• 2 or 3 green chillies,

• 1 big bunch shallot (chopped fine) - about 4 tablespoons

• 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves,

• 1 teaspoon baking powder ( or 1/2 teaspoon sodium bicarbonate)

• 1 onion (chopped fine),

• Salt,

• 1/2 teaspoon whole cumin seeds or powdered cumin,

• Oil for frying

Method:

1. Wash and then soak dholl in water for at least 3 hours.

2. Drain and grind dholl (a food mill can be used).

3. Add all the other ingredients to ground dholl. Mix in thoroughly.

4. Shape mixture into small balls and deep fry them in very hot oil until crisp and golden brown.

5. Drain and serve hot with buttered bread or by itself as a snack.

NOTE: We would like to say a big thank you to the author of the recipe book called "Mauritian Delights", Mrs Lalita Sookhee,  who has kindly given  us the authorisation to copy some of the recipes that are in her book. If you wish to buy the "Mauritian Delights" recipe book which contains over 300 absolutely delicious mauritian recipes, please contact Mrs Lalita Sookee at Lsookhee@usa.net   or Connect@netcourrier.com. Her address is as follows: 1 Farquhar Street, Quatre-Bornes, Mauritius.      Telephone number: 230-425-3803 or 230-750-1860.      Fax number: 230-425-3803.