Gateau Piment

Gateau Piment or Chilli Bites as my mum likes to call them, are one of the BEST street food snacks here in Mauritius. Gateau  Piment literally translates to Chilli Cakes in English.

If it was up to me, I would eat gateau piment everyday. However they are not the healthiest of snacks due to the fact that they are fried.

The images above show the gateau piment balls before they were fried.

 

The typical way of eating gateau piment is freshly fried with some butter in di pain maison (Mauritian type of bread). It is incredibly delicious and the gateau piment adds a great crunch to this sandwich.

For all those who have had a gateau piment before you know exactly what I am talking about when I say that these little balls of chilli and dhal have a beautiful crunch rich in taste and flavour.

Although the exterior is quite hard, it is relatively soft inside thanks to the dhal consistency.

Lets get on to the recipe now!

The recipe only requires 5 ingredients and is so easy and fast to make. You can also make the batter and store it in the freezer for about a week or two.

Gateau Piment Recipe

(Makes 10)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Yellow Split Pea (aka Dhal ti pois in Mauritius)
• 1 green chilli, according to taste
• 1/2 tsp salt, according to taste
• 3 sprigs spring onion
• vegetable oil (for frying)

Method:

1. Soak the yellow split pea overnight in a bowl of room-temperature water (If this is not possible you may soak it early in the morning and make the gateau in the late afternoon)

The Next Day

1. Using a colander, strain the excess water from the dholl
2. In a food processer insert all ingredients and mix until combined
3. Heat up a frying pan using vegetable oil
4. Makes little balls of the mixture
5. Fry until golden brown
6. Remove to cool and Enjoy!

– The Cake Architect

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