Toddler recipe: Mild split pea & spinach dhal

• yellow split peas↗175g g
• coconut oil↗½ tbsp tbsp
• small onion↗1

  finely chopped

• fat garlic clove↗1

  crushed

• yellow mustard seeds½ tsp tsp
• turmeric↗¼ tsp tsp
• mild curry powder↗1 ½ tsp tsp
• unsalted cashew nuts↗50g g

  chopped

• very low salt vegetable stock cube↗1

  (we used Kallo)

• frozen chopped spinach100g g
• plain yogurt↗

  pitta bread or rice, to serve

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Soak the yellow split peas in a bowl of water for 20 mins. Rinse thoroughly in a few changes of water.

2. 2

   Heat the oil in a large heavy-based saucepan. Cook the onion for 5-10 mins, stirring from time to time until softened and starting to caramelise. Add the garlic and spices and cook for a further 1-2 mins allowing the aromas to release.

3. 3

   Pulse the cashews in a food processor into fine pieces – make sure you do this well so that there is no risk of choking. Add the split peas and cashews to the pan, then pour in enough water to cover it by a few cms. Crumble in the veg stock cube. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 1hr or until the split peas are tender, stirring from time to time. If they start to look a little dry, add in more water as needed during the cooking. Stir through the frozen chopped spinach and once the dhal is hot throughout, serve with a dollop of yogurt on top, pitta or brown rice.