ISLAND FLAVOURS

You'll love these easy Sri Lankan recipes from JayaFlava

- TASHA MARIKKAR

POL ROTI

140 g all-purpose flour

75 g freshly-grated coconut

20 g finely-minced red onion

2 small fresh green chillies, finely minced

8 curry leaves, finely minced

1 tsp sea salt

1 tbsp coconut oil

75 ml warm water

SERVES: 5 rotis (two servings) > PREP TIME: 25 minutes > COOKING TIME: 20 minutes

Calorie count: 567calories (per serving)

1. In a bowl, add all the ingredients except the warm water. Mix well to ensure the even distribution of the ingredients throughout the flour.

2. Add the warm water and, using a wooden spoon, mix well to a dough. If it feels a little dry, add another tablespoon of warm water.

3. Very carefully, using your hands, knead the dough until it comes together (about five minutes).

4. Divide the dough into five equal pieces and roll into balls (60 to 65 g each). On a lightly-floured surface, take one ball at a time and flatten it into a circle using your hand; each roti should be about one centimetre thick.

5. Heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium flame and rub with a little coconut oil. Once hot, start cooking one roti at a time. Cook each side for two to three minutes or until there is a little dark charring. Repeat for every roti, ensuring you lightly oil the pan between each roti.

NOTE: SERVE THIS SINHALESE COCONUT ROTI WITH LUNU MIRIS OR, IF YOU'RE NON-VEGETARIAN, WITH FISH CURRY.

LUNU MIRIS

5 small shallots or 1 red onion, roughly chopped

1 clove garlic

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp red chilli flakes

Juice of 1 lemon

Calorie count: 55 calories (per serving)

SERVES: Four > PREP TIME: 15 minutes

1. In a pestle and mortar, pound the shallots, garlic and salt until you start to form the beginnings of a paste.