Serendip: My Sri Lankan Kitchen

I recently took a trip with Peter Kuruvita to the southern part of the island. At one of your stops, we demonstrated how to make a moju. It is a simple recipe and belongs to the family of Sri Lankan achacharus and sambols. A moju is typically Sri Lankan, but the word originated from Malay, "mochua", meaning to pickle or preserve. It is a typical dish made with practically anything —vegetables, fish, meat, or sometimes fruit —and characterised by a spicy, sour, and sweet flavour. This dish...

Green mangoes are common in Sri Lanka. They are used in curries, sambols, and other dishes, mainly for the sourness they impart to the...

"Devilled" comes from the late 18th century and usually refers to foods cooked with spicy ingredients, mostly chillies or mustard. The...

I do not often cook Sri Lankan recipes, but it is one of my favourite cuisines. I love the unique blend of herbs, lemongrass, and...

Snake beans, also called yard-long or long beans, originated in Asia and are used in many Asian cuisines. These beans are now being seen...

Pol sambal is ubiquitous in Sri Lanka and can be found on almost every table. It is spicy, creamy, and a must-have. This is a simple...

Sri Lankan cuisine is loaded with seafood; after all, it is an island nation. The seafood is fresh and usually caught and cooked locally....

The hot island weather calls for dishes that cool the soul. Cucumbers, because of their high water and mineral content, are naturally...

Cashew nuts are among my favourite; I love the sweet and creamy flavour, especially if roasted. Cashew nuts are grown in both Sri Lanka...

Sri Lankan food includes curries, sambals, and a host of other dishes unique to this beautiful island. In recent years, we have seen the...

Sri Lanka is known for its punchy curries, and this goat curry is one of the classics. This is a curry that is steeped in tradition. It...

I love a good egg curry, and this one hits the spot. It is very simple to make and takes minimal time. The curry is beautiful, mild,...

Beets are a very overlooked root vegetable, taken for granted and ignored mostly. I, however, love beets, their colour and flavour. In...

Okra is one of those vegetables that folks either love or hate. Growing up in India, it was part of our daily cuisine, so we all love it...