Mauritius is a small island off the coast of Africa that has a diverse and vibrant food culture. This vegetarian dinner recipe features flavorful ingredients and spices commonly used in Mauritian cuisine, such as turmeric, cumin, and coriander. Here’s everything you need to know to make this delicious meal:
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s packed with flavor: The combination of spices and fresh ingredients creates a fragrant, savory dish.
- It’s vegetarian-friendly: This recipe skips meat but still provides plenty of protein thanks to lentils.
- It’s nutritious: Lentils are also high in fiber and other nutrients like iron.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried green or brown lentils, rinsed
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- Salt & pepper to taste
How To Make This Recipe
Step One:
In a saucepan add the rinsed lentils along with enough water to cover by about an inch. Bring it up to boil then reduce heat down low simmer for around ~20minutes until cooked through.
Step Two:
Heat oil over medium heat in another larger pot (with lid), sauté onion until it softens slightly before adding in garlic and ginger.
Step Three:
Add the spices (cumin/coriander/turmeric) according to amount mentioned above and fry them well with onions till fragrant (around ~30 seconds)
Step Four:
Next add your cooked lentils from step one into the pot together with salt & pepper. Add enough water till its two inches above level of mixture.Stir thoroughly before bring it to boil then lower heat down to simmer for around 20 minutes or until liquid has evaporated/absorbed & lentils have softened nicely.
Step Five:
Switch off gas, allow the lentil mixture to cool slightly before serving with your favourite naan bread/rice or slice of fresh lemon on the side.
Cooking time and temperature guidelines
- Total cooking time: ~40 minutes
- Heat oil over medium heat.
- Boiling point for lentils: ~20 minutes
My Pro-tips
- For a creamier consistency, blend half the cooked lentil mixture in a food processor or blender and stir it back into the pot.
- Add extra water if needed to achieve desired consistency.
Seasoning Options
If you like more flavor, here are some seasoning options you can add:
- Finely chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or cilantro
- A squeeze of fresh lemon juice
- A pinch of smoked paprika
Recipe Tips
- Be sure to rinse your dried lentils thoroughly before cooking them.
- You can also use canned lentils instead of dried—just skip step one and drain and rinse a can of cooked green or brown lentils.
Recommended Tools To Make This Recipe
- Saucepan
- Large Pot (with lid)
- Food processor/blender (optional)
To Sum Up: The recipe’s biggest takeaway and point in a singular sentence
This Mauritian-inspired vegetarian dish is packed with nutrients, flavor and plant protein thanks to the hearty brown/green Lentils – perfect for any occasion!
FAQs
Here are three popular FAQs with answers for ‘Delicious Vegetarian Dinner Ideas from Mauritius’:
What are some traditional vegetarian dishes from Mauritius that I can make for dinner?
Some popular vegetarian dishes from Mauritius that you can make for dinner include:
Dholl puri: a type of flatbread made with yellow split peas and often served with chutney and bean curry.
Rougaille: a tomato-based stew typically made with vegetables like eggplant, pumpkin, or spinach.
Farata: another type of flatbread made with flour and often filled with curry or chutney.
Samosas: crispy pastries filled with spiced potatoes, peas, and sometimes paneer or lentils.
Are there any vegan-friendly options available in Mauritian cuisine?
Yes! Many of the traditional Mauritian vegetarian dishes are already vegan-friendly, as they do not contain any animal-derived ingredients. In addition to the above mentioned dishes, here are some other vegan options to consider:
Gateaux piments (chilli cakes): small deep-fried balls made of ground yellow split peas mixed with spices and chopped chillies
Lentil soup (sometimes called dal soup)
Achar (pickle): an Indian-inspired spicy pickle usually consisting of various chopped vegetables such as green mango or lime
Grilled plantains
How can I add more flavor to my Mauritian vegetarian meals?
Mauritian cuisine is known for its bold flavors and spice blends. Here are some ways you can add more flavor to your vegetarians dinners:
Use fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley generously in your cooking
Add spices like cumin, coriander seeds, mustard seeds ,turmeric powder etc which they use extensively during cooking
Experiment combining different flavours together; such as mixing curries on your plate – eat dhal alongside sambar e.g.
Try adding coconut milk to your dishes for a creamier texture and added sweetness
Serve with pickles or chutneys on the side for added flavor, crunch, and acidity.
