Joanna James
It was the Online Travel Journal that first called Sri Lankan cuisine the most underrated culinary tradition in the world but this is a fact that most tourists have known for years. Whether you are heading to the emerald isle for a quick beach holiday or an extended stay, there are ways to dive deeper into Sri Lankan cuisine and its intricacies. From signing up for cooking lessons to understanding key principles of food preparation, here's how you can cook traditional local dishes with ease.
Those who are lucky enough to be holidaying at Sri Sharavi Beach Villas & Spa or any other Sri Lankan vacation base can sign up for a cooking class. Considered one of the best things to do in Mirissa and other holiday hubs around the country, most culinary demonstrations and classes geared towards tourists are not only available in resorts but also by home cooks and culinary institutions. The benefit of joining a one-day or multi-session cooking class is that chefs will take you through the basics of preparing local treats and meals. This hands-on approach will make foreigners feel more confident to attempt preparing Sri Lankan dishes once they return to their homelands.
Sri Lankans overseas and famous chefs on the island also provide valuable cooking demonstrations and recipes online. YouTube channels centred around Sri Lankan cuisine are not difficult to find as there is a great demand for authentic Sri Lankan recipes among expats and culinary enthusiasts. Subscribing to a Sri Lankan cooking channel can not only help one choose what types of recipes they would like to prepare but also get an overall understanding of the techniques and ingredients commonly used in local cuisine. This is also a great way to connect with fellow foodies and Sri Lankan food fans to exchange recipes, tips and ask questions via the comment section.
The quality of the ingredients really makes a difference in how authentic a Sri Lankan meal tastes and smells. Most cooking lessons on the island will also include a trip to the market or Sunday Pola where one can learn how to choose the best vegetables, seafood and other essentials. Sri Lankans have access to fresh vegetables that are often pre-cut or frozen, so it is best to shop for vegetables from organic vendors rather than rely on those available in supermarkets.
The use of spices in Sri Lankan cuisine differentiates it from Indian, Thai, Maldivian and other regional cooking styles as there's little use for curry pastes. Some of the most essential ingredients for a savoury dish or curry in Sri Lankan cuisine include turmeric, chilli powder, pepper and roasted curry powder. Spices such as cumin and coriander are used sparingly if at all in local dishes, which also sometimes call for chilli pieces, gamboges and mustard seeds. The freshness of the spices as well as how it is stored also impacts the overall taste of local meals and dishes so it is crucial to use air-tight containers to store spices.
The consistency and creamy flavour of Sri Lankan curries is due to its liberal use of coconut milk, which is often shaved and then mixed with water before being poured over a curry on the stove. Coconut cream and coconut milk that are commercially sold in tins and other forms can be used to prepare Sri Lankan dishes even if the texture of the dish may not be identical to the authentic dish at the end of the day. The traditional taste of local curries and pulses also depends on what types of utensils are used as clay plots are known to be the top-choice among local cooks and housewives.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
