TOASTED PEANUTS RECIPES

Steps:

• Prepare the dal: Soak the pigeon peas in a large bowl of warm water for about 1 hour. (They will have swelled a little.) Thoroughly rinse the soaked pigeon peas with fresh water, then tip the drained pigeon peas into a pot.
• Add tomatoes, turmeric, salt and 5 cups water, and bring to a boil over high. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until very tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Use an immersion blender to purée some of the dal, leaving some intact and getting some very smooth, or whisk vigorously to break up some of the soft dal. Stir in the peanuts and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the dal is very tender, about 30 minutes. Taste and adjust with salt. If the dal has become too thick for your liking, stir in a splash of water.
• Prepare the tempering: In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the ghee. When hot, carefully add all of the tempering ingredients (the mustard seeds will sputter!) and swirl the pan until you can smell all the toasted spices, about 30 seconds. Pour everything over the hot dal.

Steps:

• 1. Gently heat the curry powder, cumin and turmeric for 1 minute in a dry pan on a medium heat.
  2. Deseed 2 chillies and peel the garlic and ginger. Place in a blender with the toasted spices and coriander (reserving a few nice leaves in a bowl of cold water for later).
  3. Add the peanut butter, soy sauce, the green parts of the spring onions, the zest of 2 limes and the juice of 3. Blitz until almost smooth, loosening with a few splashes of water, if needed, then taste and season to perfection.
  4. Cut each chicken thigh into 4 pieces and toss with half the satay sauce. Divide and thread onto 4 skewers and marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours, but preferably overnight.
  5. If you’re using a barbecue, get it going 1 hour before you want to cook. If you’re using a griddle pan, cut your wooden skewers to fit and preheat the pan.
  6. Get a garnish plate together – drain the coriander leaves, finely slice the whites of the spring onions, finely slice the remaining chillies and wedge up the remaining lime. Toast the peanuts in a dry pan until golden, then crush and add to the plate.
  7. When you’re ready to cook, oil and lightly season the chicken on both sides, then place on your medium-hot barbecue or griddle pan. Cook for around 15 minutes, or until beautifully gnarly and golden, turning regularly.
  8. Serve on a platter with the rest of the sauce on the side. Sprinkle over the garnishes and slice up some nice ripe wedges of watermelon or pineapple to serve on the side – heavenly.