Afghan-style Spiced Split Peas with Bacon

Ingredients

In this Afghan adaptation, the traditional Latvian dish of Pelēkie zirņi ar speķi is transformed into a flavorful and aromatic dish by incorporating Afghan spices and flavors. The original dish typically consists of boiled split peas and bacon, while the Afghan version adds a blend of spices such as cumin, turmeric, and coriander to enhance the flavors. The addition of these spices gives the dish a distinct Afghan taste and aroma. We alse have the original recipe for Pelēkie zirņi ar speķi, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (400g) split peas 2 cups (400g) split peas
• 6 cups (1.4L) water 6 cups (1.4L) water
• 4 slices of bacon, diced 4 slices of bacon, diced
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 38g, 4g
• Protein: 16g
• Fiber: 12g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the split peas under cold water and drain.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, bring the water to a boil. Add the split peas and cook for 10 minutes. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface.
3. 3.
   In a separate pan, cook the diced bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside.
4. 4.
   In the same pan, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until golden brown.
5. 5.
   Add the cooked bacon, onion, and garlic to the pot with the split peas.
6. 6.
   Stir in the ground cumin, turmeric, coriander, and salt. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 hour, or until the split peas are tender and the flavors have melded together.
7. 7.
   Serve the Afghan-style Spiced Split Peas with Bacon hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Split peas — Make sure to rinse the split peas thoroughly before cooking to remove any impurities.
• Bacon — Use smoky bacon for a stronger flavor profile in the dish.
• Cumin, turmeric, and coriander — Toasting the spices before adding them to the dish will enhance their flavors.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of water for added flavor.
• Add a squeeze of lemon juice before serving to brighten the flavors.
• Serve with naan bread or rice for a complete meal.
• Adjust the spices according to your taste preferences.
• This dish tastes even better the next day, so consider making it in advance.

Serving advice

Serve the Afghan-style Spiced Split Peas with Bacon as a main course accompanied by naan bread or rice. Garnish with fresh cilantro for added freshness.

Presentation advice

Serve the dish in a deep bowl, allowing the vibrant colors of the split peas and bacon to shine through. Sprinkle some fresh cilantro on top for an appealing presentation.