This week’s food blog is dedicated to the humble “Gâteau Piment” (chilli cake), a popular and versatile spicy roadside snack found throughout the Vanilla Islands.

Similar in look and feel to a falafel, Gâteau Piment offers a tiny taste explosion with every bite, from earthy cumin to spicy chilli and even fresh coriander – it’s all packed in there and makes for the perfect picnic treat.

Quick and east to make, we recommend you fry up a batch, pop them in your backpack along with a bottle of water (and/or a few Seybrews) and head out to explore everything the Seychelles Islands has to offer.

 

 

GÂTEAU PIMENT RECIPE

Serves 4

 

 

Ingredients:

3 chillies

100 grams of red lentils

1 onion

2 spring onions

1/2 bunch of coriander

1 clove of garlic

1 tablespoon turmeric

1 tablespoon cumin

300 grams flour

1 sachet baking powder

Salt, pepper to taste

Oil for frying the “Gâteau Piment” in

 

 

Method:

Wash the lentils and then boil for 20 minutes, drain and set aside

Finely chop the onions, coriander, spring onions and garlic

Slice and mash the chillies, then add the cumin, tumeric, flour and baking powder

Coarsely blitz the lentils in a food process and pour contents into a mixing bowl

Add the flour / chilli mix as well as the the chopped onions / garlic mix and blend well

Roll the mixture into 4cm balls and set aside ready for frying

Heat the oil over a medium heat and then fry the “Gateau Piment” for about 3-4 minutes

The “Gateau Piment” will be ready when the outside is golden and crunchy, whilst the inside is still soft, fluffy and moist.

Now sit down, crack open a beer and enjoy the taste explosion for yourself (the washing up can wait!) – and as always let us know how you get on with this recipe and what you think!