Yellow Split Pea Dal

This easy yellow split pea dal is a warming, nourishing meal with layers of aromatic spices and a rich, creamy texture. It’s also one of those meals my kids devour and regularly ask me to make. I usually start a pot of brown jasmine rice at the same time as the dal, and by the time everything is finished you have a hearty, nourishing meal with very little hands-on work. Yellow split peas provide an excellent combination of plant protein, fiber, and slowly digested carbohydrates, making this an especially filling plant-based meal. Split peas absorb quite a bit of liquid as they cook; my favorite way to make this dal is with half stock and half water, which gives it a much richer flavor. Use vegetable stock for a vegetarian meal or chicken stock if that’s what you have on hand. Serve the dal over brown jasmine rice and top with toasted cumin and mustard seeds, fresh cilantro, and extra hot red chiles if you like more heat.