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Aloha Mon! Doubles

Curry Channa & Bara

Soft, golden bara filled with aromatic curry chickpeas and finished with vibrant Caribbean chutneys. A Trinidadian street-food favorite with an Aloha Mon! twist.

CUISINE

Trinidadian

YIELD

6 Doubles

DIET

Vegan

A Taste of Trinidad, Aloha Mon! Style

Doubles are one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most beloved street foods. Two soft, golden pieces of fried bara cradle a generous serving of warmly spiced curry chickpeas, known as channa, and are finished with flavorful chutneys and pepper sauce.

Our Aloha Mon! version brings this Caribbean favorite into the Simply Simon kitchen, using WHAT’S DA CURRY? Island Curry Base to build a rich, aromatic channa that’s easy to prepare at home.

The result is a satisfying combination of soft bread, savory curry, bright toppings, and just the right amount of heat.

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BRING THE FLAVOR HOME.

The signature seasonings behind the recipe—and a few more worth exploring.

Aloha Mon! Doubles — Curry Channa & Bara

Recipe by Simply Simon
0.0 from 0 votes
Course: Breakfast, SnacksCuisine: Trinidadian, CaribbeanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

20

minutes
Cooking time

1

hour 

30

minutes

Soft, golden bara filled with aromatic curry chickpeas and finished with vibrant Caribbean chutneys. A Trinidadian street-food favorite with an Aloha Mon! twist.

Ingredients

  • Channa
  • 2 15 oz cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained

  • 2 ½ tbsp What's Da Curry? Island Curry Base

  • ½ tsp Ground Cumin

  • 2 tbsp Water

  • 1 tbsp Vegetable oil

  • ¾ cup Water, plus more as needed

  • 2 tbsp Cilantro or 1 tbsp Culantro

  • 1-2 tsp Trinidad hot pepper sauce or habanero pepper sauce

  • SMOKE DUST, to taste

  • Bara
  • 2 c All-purpose flour

  • 1 tsp Instant yeast

  • 1 tsp Cane or brown sugar

  • ½ tsp Baking powder

  • ½ tsp What's Da Curry? Island Curry Base

  • ½ tsp SMOKE DUST Seasoned Salt

  • ¾ cup water

  • 1 tsp Vegetable oil

  • Suggested Toppings
  • Grated cucumber

  • Mango or tamarind chutney

  • Trinidad hot pepper sauce or Aloha Mon! HOT TING.

Directions

  • Prepare the Bara
  • Combine the flour, yeast, sugar, baking powder, What's Da Curry? Island Curry Base and SMOKE DUST Seasoned Salt.
  • Gradually add the warm water, mixing until a very soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Add another tablespoon of water if necessary.
  • Mix or knead gently for approximately 2–3 minutes. Avoid adding excessive flour; a soft dough produces tender bara.
  • Rub the dough lightly with the teaspoon of oil. Cover and let rise for 60–90 minutes, until puffy and approximately doubled. While dough is rising prepare the channa.
  • Oil your hands and divide the dough into 12 equal portions, approximately 35 g each.
  • Form loose balls, cover and rest for another 10–15 minutes.
  • Heat approximately 1½–2 inches of frying oil to 350°F.
  • Lightly oil your hands and work surface. Flatten each portion into a thin round approximately 4–5 inches across.
  • Carefully place one round in the oil. Fry for approximately 10–15 seconds per side, just until puffed with light golden spots. The bara should remain soft, not crisp or deeply browned.
  • Drain briefly and immediately place under a clean towel or in a covered container. The trapped steam will keep the bara flexible.
  • Prepare the Channa
  • Mix the curry base, cumin and 2 tablespoons water into a paste.
  • Heat the oil over medium heat. Add the curry paste and cook for 60–90 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant and slightly darkened.
  • Add the chickpeas and ¾ cup water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer
  • Cook uncovered for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding water as needed.
  • Mash approximately one-quarter of the chickpeas to produce a thick, creamy channa.
  • Stir in the cilantro or culantro.
  • Add 1–2 teaspoons hot sauce, beginning with the smaller amount. Cook for another minute, then taste before adding salt.
  • Assemble the Doubles
  • Place 2 bara on a plate, slightly overlapping.
  • Spoon about ½ cup channa over the bara.
  • Top with grated cucumber, chutney, and a splash of pepper sauce

COOKING TIPS

SIMPLY SIMON SAYS…

Keep Your Bara Soft

Doubles are all about tender, flexible bara. Fry just until lightly golden, then keep the finished pieces covered with a clean towel to trap steam.

Fry the Curry First

Frying WHAT’S DA CURRY? in a little oil before adding the chickpeas helps develop its aromatic flavor and eliminates the raw spice taste.

Make It Your Own

Finish with cucumber, tamarind or mango chutney, and your favorite pepper sauce. For an extra kick, sprinkle on ALOHA MON! HOT TING.

SERVE IT UP

PERFECT PAIRINGS

Great food deserves great company.
POGua Fresca

A refreshing blend of passion fruit, orange, and guava with subtle ginger, vanilla, and cardamom notes.

Simply Simon Green Sauce

A bright, herbaceous Scotch bonnet sauce that adds freshness and a little heat.

Purple Drink

Tropical pineapple and hibiscus with a warming touch of ginger.

KEEP COOKING

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