[Mauritian Cuisine] Gateau Piment (Mauritian Gato Pima Recipe) Chilli cakes | Split Pea Fritters

Mauritian Gato Pima

This is one of the most authentic snacks from Mauritius and the Mascarene Islands (Mauritius, Reunion Island and Rodrigues Island).It is also known as Bonbon Piment in Reunion Island or split pea fritters. Gato or gateau means cake in Mauritian Creole and Piment means Chili. Although the name, it has nothing to do with chili or spicy cakes. It is in fact made of split peas or Dhal petit pois in Creole. Together with Roti (Mauritian Paratha), it is one of the most famous street food in Mauritius. It is often sold on the streets for Rs2 Mauritian Rupees (or 15 pieces for $1, which is quite inexpensiveJ).They can be eaten as a snack, with bread and butter or in curry)

The Gato Piment dough can be prepared and freeze for future use but freshly blend dhal will of course taste better. Split peas have to be soaked for at least 8 hours or overnight. Here is the recipe in 8 steps:

Ingredients

Split Peas

Chopped dry chili

Chopped spring onion

½ table spoon of baking soda (Bicarbonate of Soda)

Salt

Oil for cooking

Cooking Method:

1, Wash and soak dhal if possible all night

2, Drain split peas and blend until you have a fine dough

3, Add chopped dry chili and spring onions

4, Add ½ table spoon of baking soda (Bicarbonate of Soda)

5, Stir with ½ table spoon of salt

6, Heat up oil over hot to medium temperature in a frying pan (Fritters have to be fully submerge in oil)

7, Shape mixture into small balls and deep fry

8, when the fritters turn into a brownish color, drain oil and put on absorbent paper

Steps 1 to 5 can be prepared and then freeze for future use.

As mentioned earlier freshly made Gato Piment can also be turned into Gato Piment curry. We will do a video next time I prepare some tasty Gato Piment