The Food You Should Try In Sri Lanka - Must-try’s are the sour fish curry and coconut relish!

A visit to Sri Lanka is never really complete if one does not take time out to taste dhal curry, a delicious staple diet that is rather cherished by young and old alike in this country. In fact, many natives say that if you have a nicely prepared dhal curry, you can eat anything with this dish alone, may it be rice, bread, or paratha. This delectable diet is a result of many ingredients that are cooked together. Finely sliced onions, chopped garlic cloves, mustard seeds, red lentils, pandan, and several other ingredients contribute to bringing out the precious flavour of a dhal curry. However, its appealing yellow-golden colour is the result of its infusion of turmeric powder. Freshly extracted coconut milk is also added to get the creamy texture of this curry.

Mango is not only a succulent fruit that can only be eaten raw. It can also be prepared as a curry, a side dish to be eaten with rice. Mango curry usually carries a tangy yet mouthwatering flavour with just a touch of its characteristic sweetness. Green mangoes are cut into thin, long pieces before making them more tasteful with a blend of spices including chilli, turmeric, roasted curry powder, and many other ingredients. In creating the base for this delicious curry, mustard seeds, fenugreek, chopped onions, pandan, green leaves, and cinnamon are roasted in a bit of oil. Afterwards, the marinated mangoes are added to the aromatic mixture, to which creamy coconut milk is added after few minutes along with a choice of dried fish, green chilli, and a pinch of salt that would add the final touches to this enticing dish.

As an island that is entirely encompassed by the sea, it doesn't come as a surprise that there is a myriad of fish dishes in Sri Lankan cuisine that comes in various shades and flavours. Out of them all, Sour Fish Curry is famous for its rich flavour and spicy tang. Locally known as "Maalu Ambul Thiyal," this dish is yet another taste-filled addition to a typical Sri Lankan rice and curry lunch. Cubes of fish are sautéed with a mix of spices such as turmeric, pepper, garlic, curry leaves, and pandan. Moreover, dried goraka is added to this mixture to obtain its signature sour flavour. The ingredients are simmered until the water is reduced to allow the spices to coat the cubes of fish thoroughly.

The Spicy Devilled Prawns is a coming together of prawns and other tangible ingredients that contribute to the flavour of this dish. Chunky onions, chopped garlic, tomato, ginger, and red chilli are used as ingredients for this fine Sri Lankan dish. Soy sauce and tomato sauce are used to give the prawns a juicy façade that also helps to absorb the spices well. You can look forward to spice up your tastebuds by trying out this appetizing dish when you opt to holiday at Sri Lanka east coast hotels the likes of Uga Escapes.

In a country where coconut trees are found fringing each beach or swaying in every garden, it isn't a surprise that the natives have found use from each part of this tree. A simple blend of several ingredients along with finely grated coconut insides, Coconut Relish, or rather "Pol Sambola," as the natives call it, is a spicy but flavour-filled garnish that adds taste to many main dishes of Sri Lankan cuisine. Grated coconut is ground with thinly chopped red onions, chilli powder, dried chilli flakes, Maldivian fish along with a squeeze of lime and salt to taste.