Srilankan cuisine in my kitchen..

Kahabath + potato curry, the classic srilankan combo is my entry to Siri's Corner: AWED: May edition , and I just got there , barely :) (This is my dinner cooked 30 mins back ;) )

Since I've seen the event announcement , I've bought 'n' number of coconut milk cans and subjected my husband to all the coconut based curries : the brinjal, the green mango ,some mushroom...but none of it felt unique enough to submit..just building up to the main entry you could say...

Seems the 'kahabath and potato curry' are classic srilankan synthesis (maybe our version of comfort food ala khichadi kadhi or something) , so without much ado :

For Kaha bath :

Gather 

1 tbsp ghee/butter

1.5 cups rice

1/2 medium onion , cut fine

8 whole black peppercorns

4 whole cloves

10 curry leaves

1 stalk lemongrass (optional)

4 cardamom (optional , I dont like it)

1 pinch turmeric

salt to taste

1 cup coconut milk

1 cup half-n-half milk

1 cup water

Wash and drain rice, leave to dry. Heat the ghee, add onion,curry leaves, clove,pepper , lemongrass and stir on medium heat till onion is golden. Add the semi-dried rice and stir till coated. Add turmeric, coconut milk and salt. Heat the milk + water and add to the rice. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes. 

This turned out to be amazingly fragrant and lovely rice entree !! It is a bit rich , but I tried to balance by using half milk and water instead of cooking with all coconut water. Also, with all ingredients in hand  this is not a very time-consuming recipe : it took me total 30-35 to make this.

For the potato curry :

Gather

2 tbsp cooking oil

10-12 baby potatoes ( or 6 medium sized , cut in halves)

6-8 shallots

1 tsp minced garlic

8 curry leaves

3-4 whole red chillies

1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds

1 cup coconut milk

1 pinch turmeric

1/2 tsp red chilli powder

salt to taste

Heat the cooking oil and add onion to the sizzling oil. Add the curry leaves , whole chillies and fenugreek seeds and cook till golden. Add the potatoes (microwaved for about 5 mins to cook reducing time) , chilli powder , turmeric and coconut water. Add half a cup of water and simmer till potatoes are cooked. Enjoy !

I also want to try this Srilankan daal ..maybe later...when I re-fill my pantry with some more coconut milk :) .. till then...