Sri Lanka Part Three - Cookery Lessons and Potato Curry Recipe
My third and final visit (so far, there is no doubt I will always gravitate back to Sri Lanka) was for a family holiday. After always talking so fondly of the country and spending so much time there, my parents wanted to see it for themselves. So last August, we jetted off for our adventure; 4 destinations, 3 very large suitcases in tow, 2 weeks and 1 very talented tour guide (actually talking about our driver, not me!).
We had a slightly rocky start to the holiday as the airline lost our bags for two days but that didn't stop my parents throwing themselves into Sri Lankan life. On our first day, we jumped on the public buses and went to see the homestay families I used to live with. It was such a surreal moment having my Mum and Dad meet my extended family and those that had looked after me, like their own, whilst living under their roof. My parents soon realised why I fell in love with the people and the country.
After a couple of days in the city we headed to the cultural triangle. We stayed at a place called Jim's Farm Villas and I could not recommend it more. After a busy days exploring the temples, climbing Sigiriya Rock and going on safari, we would return and spend the evening being wined and dined. The villa served up the most delicious 3 course meal and all around a huge family table with the other guests. Everything came freshly prepared and the majority of the ingredients were sourced locally on the farm itself.
We were sad to say goodbye to Jim's Farm but our next destination was calling. We spent a couple of nights in Ella before heading South to the beach at Hikkaduwa. After a jam packed week of site seeing and train journeys it was time to put our feet up and top the tan up!
Mum and Dad had been enjoying the food as much as me so on our last day we decided to do a cookery course at Mama's Rooftop Cafe, Galle. We turned up bright and early to be taken down to the market to pick out the ingredients ready for our master class.
Back at the cafe, we chopped, peeled, tasted and cooked our way through 9 dishes. Mama talked us through each dish and gave my Mum and myself the opportunity to frantically scribble down the recipe, whilst Dad acted as camera man. The best part was yet to come when we got to eat everything we had cooked! I can safely say I enjoyed it so much more knowing we'd been the ones in the kitchen this time. All the dishes we cooked are a favourite go to for both my parents and I, and it was definitely a highlight of the holiday. You can find the recipe for potato curry below and check out my previous blogs for my recipes.
Even, after only a short time, Sri Lanka had stolen my parents heart just like it had mine. We'll be back soon!
Sri Lankan Potato Curry Recipe
Ingredients
500g white potato
1 yellow bell pepper
3 garlic cloves
2 small onions
3 green chillies
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp chilli flakes
1tsp chicken stock powder
1 1/2 tbsp coconut oil
1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp sugar
Method
- Peel the potatoes and part boil for around 6-7 minutes
- Whilst the potatoes are cooking, slice the onions into round pieces
- Slice the chillies down the middle, keeping them whole
- Slice the pepper into thin strips
- Drain the potatoes and cut into 2cm cubes
- Add the oil, onion, pepper, turmeric, salt, black pepper and chilli flakes to a deep frying pan or wok. Fry for 3 minutes on a medium heat.
- Add the sugar and the potatoes. Lower the heat.
- Add the soy sauce and chicken stock powder. Mix well.
- Cook for a further 5-7 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!