Simply Blissful Living - Taste of Fiji

 Ingredients 1 cup yellow split peas (muttar ke dal or channa dal) 4-5 garlic cloves 1 medium onion 1-2 chili peppers (adjust to preference)  handful of cilantro - about 1/4 cup chopped Sprig of curry leaves 1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds 1 teaspoon roasted cumin powder 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon turmeric  1/2 teaspoon Fiji/garam masala 1/2 teaspoon paprika or chili powder (optional) 1/8 teaspoon asafetida (hing) 1 Tablespoon plain flour (only if your mix doesn't bind well) Oil for frying  Method  Soak split peas for a minimum of 6 hours or overnight. Rewash thoroughly before grinding in a food processor.  Grind split peas in small batches until fine and grainy - not a paste On the last batch, add garlic, onion, chili peppers, cilantro, salt, and cumin seeds. Grind to same consistency.  In a big bowl, add the split peas you just grinned along with all of the other ingredients except the oil for frying. Mix well Heat oil in a pan on medium heat. With wet hands, take 1 table

  Ingredients Batter: 2 cups gram flour (besan) sifted  1-1.5 cups milk/water Oil for frying  Syrup:  1.5 sugar (adjust to taste)  3/4 cup water  1/2 tsp cardamom (ellaichi)  Pinch of saffron (optional) Method:  Coming soon! Watch video below until then :) 

One of the hardest items to "veganize" are all milk dishes and milk barfi from Fiji is just that. Its basically milk and sugar. I have been on a quest to make a vegan version of the barfi because my daughter cannot have milk due to an allergy and I am so happy with the results of this version! It has the same mouth-feel and the taste is very close! You don't really taste the coconut flavor too much and the flour helps mellow out the flavors and soak up some of the extra oil that coconut milk powder tends to create. I've used the same techinque as the classic Fiji Style Milk Barfi  and it works with this mix. I really hope you give this one a try, even if you aren't vegan :)  Ingredients 1 lb (454 grams) Coconut Milk Powder  1 cup All Purpose Flour  1-2 tsp cardamom powder (ellaichi)  [adjust as needed] For Syrup:  1.5-2 cups sugar [adjust as needed] 1 cup water  Sprinkles for decorations  Method Add flour to a pan over medium-low heat. Dry roast for 3 to 4 minutes