Recipe of the week: Trini split pea dhal with spinach and okra
Craig and Shaun McAnuff add mango chutney, spinach and okra to this special dish

Owing to the massive influence India has had on the island, Trinidad is home to some of the best veggie curries, say Craig and Shaun McAnuff – and you’re getting just that with this special dhal.
We’ve added mango chutney, spinach and okra to give that EXTRA FLAVA! It’s best to soak the peas for a few hours (or overnight) to plump them up a bit, but it’s not necessary if you don’t have time.
Serves four people
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Ingredients
- 350g dried split peas
- 1.7 litres water
- 1 medium onion, very finely chopped
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper, deseeded and very finely chopped
- 2 tbsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground pimento (allspice)
- 1 tbsp mango chutney, plus extra to serve
- handful of spinach
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 tbsp cumin seeds
- 2 bay leaves
- 8 okra, sliced lengthways
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method
- Firstly, wash and drain the split peas two or three times, until the water runs clear. Add them to a large pot with the water and bring to the boil.
- Now season di ting with the onion, scotch bonnet, turmeric, ground cumin, pimento, mango chutney, and salt and black pepper to taste. Simmer for 40 minutes until the peas are tender.
- Use a stick blender to blend until mushy but not completely smooth. Add a likkle more salt and black pepper to taste, stir in the spinach to wilt, take off the heat and allow to rest – the liquid will soak into the peas, thickening it. Add a little more hot water if it needs loosening.
- In a frying pan, heat the oil and add the garlic, cumin seeds and bay leaves. Fry for 3-4 minutes until sizzling and fragrant, being careful not to burn them, then dash them into the curry.
- In the same frying pan, pan-fry the sliced okra and serve alongside the curry, with rice and flatbreads.
- Serve extra mango chutney and hot pepper sauce on the side.
Taken from Natural Flava by Craig and Shaun McAnuff, published by Bloomsbury Publishing (UK) at £22. To buy from The Week Bookshop for £17.99, call 020-3176 3835 or visit theweekbookshop.co.uk.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Arts on prescription: why doctors are prescribing museums and comedy
In The Spotlight Stressed-out patients in Switzerland are being prescribed a trip to the museum to boost their mental wellbeing
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Cosy cabins for a country escape
The Week Recommends Slow down and take in the nature at these amazing. secluded retreats
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Scottish hospitality shines at these 7 hotels
The Week Recommends Sleep well at these lovely inns across Scotland
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Following the Tea Horse Road in China
The Week Recommends This network of roads and trails served as vital trading routes
By The Week UK Published
-
Roast lamb shoulder with ginger and fresh turmeric recipe
The Week Recommends Succulent and tender and falls off the bone with ease
By The Week UK Published
-
Adolescence and the toxic online world: what's the solution?
Talking Point The hit Netflix show is a window into the manosphere, red pills and incels
By The Week Staff Published
-
Snow White: Disney's 'earnest effort to meet an impossible brief'
Talking Point Live-action remake of Disney classic is not the disaster it could have been – but where's the personality?
By The Week UK Published
-
Don McCullin picks his favourite books
The Week Recommends The photojournalist shares works by Daniel Defoe, Lesley Blanch and Roland Philipps
By The Week UK Published
-
6 breathtaking homes in capital cities
Feature Featuring a glass conservatory in Atlanta and a loft library in Boston
By The Week US Published
-
Playhouse Creatures: 'dream-like' play is 'lively, funny and sharp-witted'
Anna Chancellor offers a 'glinting performance' alongside a 'strong' supporting cast
By The Week UK Published
-
The CIA Book Club: 'entertaining and vivid' book explores a huge Cold War secret
The Week Recommends 'Gripping' narrative explores a covert smuggling operation across the Iron Curtain
By The Week UK Published