Recipes that Denzil picked up from his early years in Sri Lanka
Inever cooked in Sri Lanka, except for the occasional roti, under my grandma’s watchful eye. I learned the therapeutic art of cooking much later in life as I learned to fend for myself outside Sri Lanka.
Authentic Sri Lankan dishes could be complicated. But I love simple dishes. I was weaned on them by my mother and grandmother. Here, I share some of them.
Canned Fish Curry
Ingredients
3–4 tablespoons of oil
1 large onion sliced
3–4 cloves of garlic sliced
A handful of curry leaves
1-inch cinnamon stick
1 large tomato sliced or a diced tomato tin
2 green chillies sliced
1/2–1 teaspoon of chilli powder(depending on your preference)
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper powder
1 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 coconut milk(should you need more gravy then add 1 cup of coconut milk)
1 large can of Jack mackerel/ Salmon or Tuna fish
Cooking Instructions
Open the can, drain the fish brine and set it aside.
Place a pan over medium heat, pour in the oil, and leave it to heat for a minute.
Let the ingredients turn slightly brown, and the tomatoes soften while all of the ingredients turn to a semi-liquid paste.
This will take less than 10 minutes, increase heat if necessary but avoid burning the paste.
Reduce heat to low-medium and pour in the coconut milk(1/2 cup, add 1 cup if you need gravy).
Leave it to slow simmer for another 5–7 minutes — season with salt.
Once the coconut milk is thick and slightly changes colour, gently add the canned fish chunks into the gravy.
Avoid stirring unless it is to place the fish so they cook evenly.
Cover with a lid, and slow simmer for 10–15 minutes or until the gravy is thick.
Season with salt and serve warm. Ideal with rice.
By the way, back in the day, as a teenager, tinned fish was one of my favourites. On the way back from school, on the rare days I had 65 cents remaining in my pocket, I bought a small tin of canned fish from my corner store. Soon after I was home, I’d open the can and pour the whole thing on my rice, uncooked. It was an awesome impromptu meal.
Put the dhal with a small quantity of water into the fried mix
Mix with chilli powder
Add salt to taste
Let it boil; if not sufficient, add more water.
Mysore Dhal curry is a staple diet in Sri Lanka. It is a favourite among Lankans, rich or poor, a simple dish everyone loves. It tastes great with bread, roti and rice.
**********************
Potato Curry
Ingredients
3–4 tablespoons of oil
1 large onion sliced
3–4 cloves of garlic sliced
A handful of curry leaves
A few rosemary leaves (optional)
1-inch cinnamon stick
2 green chillies sliced
1/2–1 teaspoon of chilli powder(depending on your preference)
A Child of Curiosity How inherent inquisitiveness became a key driver in learning experiences. Denzil Jayasinghe · B orn in the mid-20th century, I am a product of the post-World War II era. My parents, who were teenagers when the war commenced, married in the 1950s. As a representative of the baby boomer generation, I was born under the astrological sign of Capricorn, the tenth sign of the zodiac. My birth took place at Zoysa Nursing Home, a renowned institution in Colombo, Sri Lanka, around 5 in the morning. Sri Lanka, known for its tropical climate, is a beautiful island nation south of India. This climate appealed to me, and I sought similar weather in my twenties, spending them in Dubai, where the winter resembles an Australian summer. Raised by religious parents, I held them in deep affection. However, the church teachings posed a paradox for a young mind, instructing one to love God more than one’s parents. I initially adhered to the Ten Commandments and other societal norms in ...
Demons and Devotion: A Family’s Pilgrimage Denzil Jayasinghe · “Demons and Devotion: A Pilgrimage to Tewatta” is a short story by Denzil Jayasinghe about a family’s pilgrimage to a holy site in Sri Lanka. The story follows Denzil, the eldest son, as he reluctantly accompanies his devout parents on this journey to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. Although initially sceptical, Denzil reflects on his childhood faith and his family's hardships. However, the pilgrimage turns unexpectedly when an encounter with a priest who claims a demon possesses Denzil creates tension and leaves him angry. T he air hung heavy with a solemnity that felt out of place for a silver wedding anniversary. Denzil’s father, whose pronouncements held the weight of scripture, declared, “We are going on a special trip to the holy place of Our Lady at Tewatta. This day, showing God’s blessings, will be a private event for our family.” On a recent arrival for a two-week holiday in Sri Lanka...
Shattered Innocence A story of a needle Denzil Jayasinghe · “Shattered Innocence. A Story of a Needle” by Denzil Jayasinghe is a short story told from the perspective of a lad who discovers their father injecting insulin . This discovery shatters his innocence as he grapples with the reality of his father’s diabetes and the fear and uncertainty it brings. The story explores themes of family, responsibility, and the challenges of facing difficult realities. T he pre-dawn light filtered through the window, casting a pale glow over a scene that shattered my world. We were lost in the quiet routine of getting ready — me for the apprenticeship, my siblings for school, and my father for his work. I wandered into my parents’ room, searching for the familiar black comb. What I found wasn’t the comb but a sight that froze me in my tracks. Father, stripped down to his white undies, his usually strong face creased with worry, was doing something… di...
Comments
Post a Comment