How to make Kiribath (Milk-rice)
Kiribath is a traditional Sri Lankan dish made from rice and coconut milk. It's a staple dish that is often served during special occasions and festivals. Here's a simple recipe for making Kiribath:
- 1 cup of white rice
- 2 cups of water
- 2 cups of coconut milk
- Salt to taste
- Optional: Jaggery or sugar for sweetness
- Rinse the rice in cold water until the water runs clear.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, add the rinsed rice, water, and salt to taste.
- Cook the rice over medium heat until it's fully cooked and the water has been absorbed.
- Once the rice is cooked, add the coconut milk to the saucepan and stir well.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, and then reduce the heat to low.
- Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes or until the coconut milk has been absorbed.
- Stir the mixture occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.
- Once the coconut milk has been absorbed and the mixture has thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Transfer the Kiribath to a serving dish and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
If you prefer a sweeter Kiribath, you can add jaggery or sugar to taste before serving.
Kiribath can be served as a main dish or as a side dish with various curries and accompaniments. It's a versatile dish that can be enjoyed at any time of the day.
Few things you should know about Sri Lankan food culture
Sri Lanka has many different ethnic groups, each with their own unique food culture. The Sinhalese use a lot of rice, coconut, and spices, and wrap their food in lotus leaves. Tamil food is spicy and influenced by South Indian flavors. The Moors use Middle Eastern spices, and the Burghers mix European and Sri Lankan food. Despite these differences, there are also things that are the same in all Sri Lankan food. Everyone likes to eat rice, and curry is a popular dish. Coconut milk is also used a lot. Sri Lankan food has many spices, which make it taste really good. All of the different groups have made Sri Lankan food a rich and interesting mix of different flavors and ingredients.
Sri Lankan food has many traditional dishes that are unique and tasty. Kiribath is a rice pudding that is made with coconut milk and served with different side dishes. Kola kenda is a porridge made with herbs and leaves that is believed to be healthy. Sri Lanka also has many sweet treats and snacks. Achcharu is a pickled fruit or vegetable that is flavored with chili, vinegar, and sugar. Kokis is a fried snack made from rice flour and coconut milk. Sri Lankan traditional foods are a mix of different cultural influences and are an important part of the country's food heritage.