Best 3 Doubles Recipes

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**Discover the Delights of Doubles, Trinidad and Tobago's Beloved Street Food**

In the vibrant culinary landscape of Trinidad and Tobago, one dish stands out as a true icon of street food: doubles. This humble yet flavorful delicacy is a symphony of textures and tastes, capturing the essence of Trinidadian cuisine. Made with two bara, which are deep-fried flatbreads, doubles are filled with a savory chickpea curry known as channa, along with a variety of toppings such as cucumber, kuchela (a spicy mango chutney), tamarind sauce, and pepper sauce. The result is an explosion of flavors and aromas that is sure to tantalize your taste buds.

This article presents a comprehensive guide to doubles, offering three distinct recipes that cater to different preferences. The first recipe is a classic doubles recipe, featuring all the traditional ingredients that make this dish so beloved. The second recipe introduces a vegetarian twist, using tofu instead of chickpeas in the channa filling. Lastly, the third recipe caters to those who enjoy a bit of heat, incorporating scotch bonnet peppers into the channa for a spicy kick.

Whether you're a local Trinidadian looking to recreate the taste of your childhood or a curious foodie seeking to explore new culinary horizons, this article has something for everyone. Dive into the world of doubles and experience the vibrant flavors of Trinidad and Tobago's iconic street food.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

DOUBLES



Doubles image

Doubles is a popular street food snack from Trinidad and Tobago, made with two baras (deep-fried flatbreads) a chickpea curry (channa) and a variety of sauces and condiments such as hot pepper sauce, tamarind sauce and fresh cucumber.

Provided by Kwame Onwuachi

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h20m

Yield 16 servings

Number Of Ingredients 38

1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 1/4 cup warm water
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
Cooking spray, for the bowl
5 cups vegetable oil, for frying
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 Scotch bonnet or habanero chile, minced (see Cook's Note)
1 yellow onion, chopped
Kosher salt
1 tablespoons Caribbean curry powder
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 chicken bouillon cube
Two 15-ounce cans chickpeas, drained
2 cups chicken broth or stock
Lime juice, as needed
3 cups sugar
1 cup tamarind paste
5 Scotch bonnet or habanero chiles, stems removed
2 cloves garlic
1 cup white balsamic vinegar
Kosher salt
1 bunch fresh cilantro
1 cup white balsamic vinegar
Kosher salt
1 English cucumber, grated
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Kosher salt

Steps:

  • For the bara (or flatbread): Put the sugar and yeast in a medium bowl. Stir in the warm water and let it sit until bubbles begin to form, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir to combine the flour, salt, cumin, black pepper and turmeric in a medium bowl. Add the water and yeast mixture to the flour and knead, using your hands or a mixer with a dough hook attachment, until the dough is smooth and glossy, about 2 1/2 minutes.
  • Lightly oil a large bowl with cooking spray and place the dough in the bowl. Spray the dough and place plastic wrap directly on top of the dough, then add plastic wrap to the top of the bowl as well. Let the dough sit in a warm draft-free place until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
  • Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a large Dutch oven or cast-iron skillet. Turn the dough out onto a flour-dusted work surface. Working one at a time and keeping the unused portions covered, flatten a small ball of dough with a rolling pin to the thickness of 2 tortillas, about 4 inches.
  • Working in batches, fry the flattened dough until puffed and golden, about 45 seconds per side. Drain on a paper-towel-lined plate. Transfer the baras to a plate and cover with plastic wrap to steam and keep warm.
  • For the chickpeas: Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over low heat. Saute the onion, garlic, minced chile and a large pinch of kosher salt, about 10 minutes. Add the curry powder, allspice, cumin, nutmeg, paprika, black pepper, cayenne, bouillon cube, chickpeas and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook until all the liquid has reduced, about 1 hour. Right before serving, season with salt and lime juice to taste.
  • For the tamarind sauce: Add the sugar, tamarind paste and 1 cup water to a small pot over low heat. Warm until the tamarind paste has dissolved into the water, about 5 minutes. Remove and cool.
  • For the pepper sauce: Put the habaneros, garlic, white balsamic vinegar and a pinch of salt in a blender and puree until smooth.
  • For the cilantro sauce: Add the cilantro, white balsamic vinegar, and salt to a blender and puree until smooth.
  • For the garnish: Toss the cucumber and cilantro in a bowl with a pinch of salt.
  • To assemble: Place two baras slightly overlapping on a plate, then top with 2 to 3 spoons of chickpeas. Top with a little tamarind sauce, pepper sauce, cilantro sauce and grated cucumber and cilantro.

DOUBLES



Doubles image

This popular breakfast food is also a late-night favorite after a good "lime." "Lime" is the Trini term for "hanging out." On Friday and Saturday nights, smart doubles vendors take to their stations to serve hungry revelers seeking a midnight snack.

Provided by Ramin Ganeshram

Categories     Garlic     Breakfast     Fry     Sauté     Curry     Cucumber     Chickpea     Spring     Vegan     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Dairy Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes 8 to 10 doubles

Number Of Ingredients 22

For dough:
1/3 cup warm water (100°-110°F).
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
For filling (curried channa):
2 cups dried chickpeas, soaked overnight in 6 cups of water, or 1 (16-ounce) can chickpeas
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tablespoons curry powder (see Tips, below)
Pinch of ground cumin
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
For assembly:
1 cup vegetable oil
Hot pepper sauce (see Tips, below)
Kuchela (see Tips, below)
Thinly shredded cucumber

Steps:

  • Make dough:
  • In small bowl, stir together water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand until foamy, about 5 or 6 minutes.
  • In large bowl whisk together flour, salt, turmeric, cumin, and pepper. Stir in yeast mixture, then add additional warm water, if needed, until mixture comes together into slightly firm dough. Knead dough in bowl 2 minutes, then form into ball and cover with damp cloth. Let dough rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  • Make filling:
  • If using dried chickpeas, drain and add 6 cups fresh water. Simmer until tender, about 1 hour. Drain. If using canned chickpeas, drain and rinse well with cold water.
  • In heavy skillet over moderately high heat, heat oil. Add onion and sauté until translucent. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute more. Mix in curry powder and sauté 30 seconds, then add 1/4 cup water.
  • Stir in chickpeas, cover, and simmer 5 minutes. Add 1 cup water and cumin. Season with salt and pepper and bring to boil. Lower heat and simmer, uncovered, until chickpeas are very tender, approximately 20 minutes.
  • Assemble:
  • Punch down risen dough and allow to rest 10 minutes.
  • Dampen hands, pinch off walnut-size piece of dough, and flatten into 4 1/2-inch diameter circle. Set aside. Repeat with remaining dough.
  • In deep frying pan over moderately high heat, heat oil. Fry dough circles, in batches if necessary, until lightly browned, about 40 seconds per side. Drain on paper towels or on wire rack set over baking sheet.
  • Place 2 tablespoons filling on 1 piece fried dough. Add pepper sauce, kuchela, and cucumber. Top with another piece fried dough. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Serve as snack or appetizer.

CURRIED CHICKPEA DOUBLES



Curried Chickpea Doubles image

Make and share this Curried Chickpea Doubles recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Food.com

Categories     Curries

Time 2h30m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 30

1/2 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 pinch turmeric
vegetable oil, for bowl
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large yellow onion, diced (about 2 cups)
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons curry powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 fresh bay leaf
2 (15 ounce) cans chickpeas, drained
1 cup low sodium chicken broth or 1 cup vegetable stock
kosher salt
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 medium carrot, julienned
1/2 green mango, peeled and julienned
1/4 English cucumber, halved and thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
2 limes, juice of
kosher salt
vegetable oil, for frying and for greasing baking sheet
all-purpose flour, for dusting
tamarind chutney (or mango chutney)
hot sauce (Scotch bonnet brand or your favorite hot sauce)

Steps:

  • For the dough:
  • Combine 1/3 cup warm water (110 degrees F) with the honey and yeast in a small bowl. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in another bowl, mix together the flour, cumin, curry powder, salt and turmeric. Make a small well in the center of the dry ingredients and gradually pour in the wet ingredients. Stir until a firm dough is formed, adding an additional tablespoon or so of warm water if the dough is too dry.
  • Knead the dough until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes, then transfer to a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a towel. Let the dough rise for an hour in a warm place.
  • Meanwhile, for the filling:
  • Coat the bottom of a medium pot with the vegetable oil and set over medium-high heat. Add the onions and saute until translucent and aromatic, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and saute 1 minute more. Add the curry powder, cumin, allspice, turmeric and bay leaf and cook for another 30 seconds to toast the spices. Add the chickpeas and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the liquid has thickened and the chickpeas are tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt.
  • For the slaw:
  • Combine the cilantro, carrot, green mango, cucumber and black pepper in a large bowl. Toss with the lime juice and season with salt. Set aside until ready to serve.
  • Once the dough has risen, pinch it into six pieces and roll the pieces into golfball-size balls (roughly 1 3/4-inch). Transfer to a greased baking sheet and cover with a damp towel. Leave to rest for 15 minutes. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each ball into a 1/8-inch-thick oblong disc.
  • Fill a deep frying pan with 1 to 2 inches of vegetable oil and heat the oil to 350 degrees F over medium-high heat.
  • In batches, shallow-fry the discs of dough until golden but still pliant, 30 to 45 seconds per side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet and season.
  • Top each disc with a spoonful of curried chickpeas and a spoonful of slaw, then fold it over the filling. Serve with chutney and hot sauce on the side, and have lots of napkins ready.
  • Cook's Notes:
  • If you've got one, use a mandolin to slice the vegetables for the slaw.
  • If your yeast doesn't foam after 5 minutes, it means it has died. Start over with fresh yeast.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 347.3, Fat 7.4, SaturatedFat 1, Sodium 642.7, Carbohydrate 61.8, Fiber 9.7, Sugar 6.6, Protein 11.5

Tips:

  • Use Fresh Vegetables: For the best flavor and texture, use fresh, high-quality vegetables. Avoid frozen or canned vegetables, as they can be mushy and lack flavor.
  • Chop Vegetables Evenly: Chopping the vegetables evenly helps them cook evenly. If the vegetables are different sizes, some pieces may be overcooked while others are still undercooked.
  • Use a Large Pot: Doubles require a large pot to cook properly. A pot that is too small will crowd the vegetables and prevent them from cooking evenly.
  • Season to Taste: Don't be afraid to season the doubles to taste. Add more salt, pepper, or other spices as desired.
  • Serve Hot: Doubles are best served hot. If you need to make them ahead of time, reheat them gently over low heat before serving.

Conclusion:

Doubles is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is a great way to use up leftover vegetables and is also a good source of protein and fiber. With a little planning, doubles can be made in advance and reheated when you are ready to eat. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give doubles a try!

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