Sri Lanka The Cookbook – Review, Recipe and Giveaway

The Sri Lankan Civil War raged for over a decade due to ethnic tensions between the Buddhist Sinhalese majority and the Hindu Tamil minority. An estimated 80,000 to 100,000 citizens lost their lives and hundreds of thousands of civilians were displaced. But in the pages of Sri Lanka: The Cookbook, husband and wife team, Prakash Sivanathan (who is Tamil) and Niranjala Ellawala’s (who is Sinhalese) love for their homeland cuisine and each other comes together with the melding of recipes from both ethnic groups coming to the table as one. This beautiful book shares a collection of authentic and vibrant recipes including feather-light hoppers (rice pancakes), fiery sambols (relishes), curries and unique ‘vada’ (fried snacks). 100 recipe celebrate the island’s wonderful ingredients, from okra and jackfruit to coconut and chillies, and explore its culture through original travel photography of the country, its kitchens and its people. As you know, I am an avid fan of cookbooks that share more than the recipes of an area – I love to study the photographs of the people, markets and landscapes to soak in that region’s unqiueness. The terra cotta pots that line a galvanized metal store front or the the shoulder-high stacks of bananas in a marketplace all provide me a glimpse into the scenery of Sri Lanka. The couple, who moved to London in the seventies, use to own a restaurant and would fight over who will do the cooking both there and at home. They find it is easier to take turns in the kitchen to avoid tensions finding a way to balance  their slighly different styles of cooking. The recipes in Sri Lanka: The Cookbook are approachable but some have a long list of spices and ingredients such as the chicken biryani. I have made the Spicy Baked Chicken which was super easy to throw together and full of flavor. As always, you can browse the index here at Eat Your Books to see the recipes that are available in this title. Special thanks to Frances Lincoln for sharing the Devilled Prawn recipe with our members today and for offering three copies of this book in our giveaway below. ISSO BADUMA  Devilled prawns (shrimp) Add this recipe to your Bookshelf (click the blue +Bookshelf button). This is a bar food originally served in drinking clubs during the era of the British Raj, and it has found its way into the homes and hearts of Sri Lankans. As a nation, we’re also fond of devilling squid, cuttlefish, pork, potato…you name it. Serves 4
  • 400g (14oz) raw prawns (shrimp), shell on
  • 1 green (bell) pepper
  • 1 red (bell) pepper
  • 1 medium onion, cut into quarters
  • 2 tsp oil
  • 2 tbsp ketchup (tomato sauce)
  • 1 tbsp medium soya (soy) sauce (not dark)
  • 2 tsp chilli powder
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
Wash and clean the prawns (shrimp). Remove the head and most of the shell, leaving it just on the tail. Wash them again, drain and set aside. Remove the stems from the (bell) peppers, quarter and remove the seeds. Halve each quarter and cut them into about 1cm (½-inch) chunks and set aside. Loosen the layers of the onion quarters and set aside. Put the oil in a large frying pan (skillet) or wok over a very high heat, and immediately add the onion. Stir-fry for 30 seconds, then add the (bell) peppers and stir-fry for a minute. Tip in the prawns (shrimp) and stir-fry for just over a minute, then add the rest of the ingredients and stir-fry for another minute. Serve immediately. Note: When making other devilled dishes, the main ingredient will need pre-cooking with a pinch or two of salt, before adding into the (bell) peppers and onions. You can use this method with prawns (shrimp), but they do not need to be cooked for long.  

The publisher is offering three copies of this title to our EYB Members in the US. and Canada. One of the entry options is to answer the following question in the comments section of this blog post.

Which recipe in the index would you like to try first?

Please note that you must be logged into the Rafflecopter contest before posting or your entry won’t be counted. Please be sure to check your spam filters to make sure you receive our email notifications. Prizes can take up to 6 weeks to arrive from the publishers. If you are not already a Member, you can join at no cost. The contest ends at midnight on September 21, 2017.

 

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84 Comments

  • lgroom  on  August 15, 2017

    The fish buns sound good to me.

  • eveaway  on  August 15, 2017

    Aubergine [eggplant] and tamarind curry (Kathirikai pitattal) and Plain hoppers (Appa).

  • lean1  on  August 15, 2017

    plain hoppers

  • lisatrev  on  August 15, 2017

    Wild boar curry

  • Joy001  on  August 15, 2017

    Coconut flatbread

  • MelMM  on  August 15, 2017

    Without question, it would be hoppers!

  • sgump  on  August 15, 2017

    I'd try the stir-fried chicken livers (koli eeral)!

  • michalow  on  August 15, 2017

    Pumpkin curry for me!

  • Anshie  on  August 15, 2017

    The Sinhalese Lamb curry. I don't think I have ever had Elumas. Sounds so delicious!

  • Siegal  on  August 15, 2017

    I want to cook the fish buns

  • Kristjudy  on  August 15, 2017

    Fish patties…

  • kmn4  on  August 15, 2017

    Potato masala pancakes (Masala thosai)

  • vinochic  on  August 15, 2017

    Spiced coconut salad (Pol mallung)

  • thecharlah  on  August 15, 2017

    Lemon rice sounds great

  • DarcyVaughn  on  August 15, 2017

    Chilli-fried fish steaks, anchovies and onions

  • RSW  on  August 16, 2017

    Jaggery hoppers

  • tinaellen  on  August 16, 2017

    Dark pork ‘padre’ curry (Uru mas)

  • sarahawker  on  August 16, 2017

    Chana dal deep-fried patties (Parippu vadai)

  • laffersk  on  August 18, 2017

    Coconut Flatbread- all bread all the time. lol

  • sipa  on  August 18, 2017

    The recipe you shared, finally a way to use up some of the ketchup I've inherited and prawns. Yum.

  • skipeterson  on  August 18, 2017

    Garlic curry (Sudu lunu hodi)

  • lpatterson412  on  August 18, 2017

    I want to try the spicy shrimp paste balls!

  • hirsheys  on  August 18, 2017

    Jackfruit curry (Kiri kos)

  • Amandaspamanda  on  August 18, 2017

    Steamed coconut and red rice flour rolls (Bamboo pittu) – these sound so yummy!

  • LaurenE  on  August 18, 2017

    Potato masala pancakes (Masala thosai)

  • Scotsman61  on  August 18, 2017

    Dark pork ‘padre’ curry (Uru mas)

  • t.t  on  August 19, 2017

    Chana dal deep-fried patties (Parippu vadai)

  • love2chow  on  August 19, 2017

    Egg hoppers

  • percussion03  on  August 19, 2017

    Pumpkin and coconut curry

  • matag  on  August 21, 2017

    Prawn and coconut curry

  • ravensfan  on  August 21, 2017

    Steamed coconut and red rice flour rolls (Bamboo pittu)

  • mpdeb98  on  August 21, 2017

    Cashew nut curry

  • Nataliecrue  on  August 23, 2017

    Egg hoppers with coconut flat bread

  • Shelley.b  on  August 23, 2017

    Deviled prawns

  • bookreadera  on  August 24, 2017

    Chilli coconut relish…on everything

  • skenoyer  on  August 24, 2017

    Chana dal deep-fried patties sound delicious!

  • jdub1371  on  August 24, 2017

    Hoppers and egg curry!

  • lean1  on  August 24, 2017

    Since I have been to Sri Lanka and tried many different foods my favorite would be Masala potato pancakes.

  • motherofpearl81  on  August 24, 2017

    Lemon rice (Pulli chatham)

  • kristenlynnmcclure  on  August 25, 2017

    Pumpkin Curry

  • kitchen_chick  on  August 25, 2017

    Plain hoppers (Appa). My husband had Appa in Chennai several years ago and has craved them ever since.

  • bcarpenter  on  August 25, 2017

    pumpkin and coconut milk curry

  • LizyB  on  August 25, 2017

    pumpkin curry!

  • ChazBrenchley  on  August 25, 2017

    Devilled prawns for me. I can never get enough seafood.

  • Julia  on  August 25, 2017

    Lemon rice.

  • mfgramley  on  August 25, 2017

    Chili coconut relish

  • sequoia55  on  August 25, 2017

    Pumpkin Curry

  • Blaider  on  August 26, 2017

    Spicy chicken curry – yum!

  • br22  on  August 26, 2017

    I'd definitely make the Hot and Sour Fish Curry. Fenugreek is one of my favorite spices; love that so many recipes in this book use it!

  • Suzw  on  August 26, 2017

    Lemon rice (Pulli chatham)

  • dna  on  August 27, 2017

    deviled prawns

  • RickPearson54  on  August 27, 2017

    Fish patties

  • stephanieyee  on  August 27, 2017

    dal and spinach curry

  • Patoliv1312  on  August 28, 2017

    I definitely would like to try the Prawn and Coconut Curry. I love shrimp and I love curry.

  • Katiefayhutson  on  August 28, 2017

    Sweet potato (Bathala

  • fbrunetti  on  August 28, 2017

    String hoppers

  • erasmus  on  August 29, 2017

    Thosai, definitely. Mine never turn out, I need a new recipe!

  • reenz26  on  August 30, 2017

    coconut rice congee.i try to make it from the recipe i remember tasting in the dorms…

  • reensarai  on  August 30, 2017

    jaggery hoppers,sounds yum!

  • ReenaCooks  on  August 30, 2017

    Cashew nut curry

  • AnnaZed  on  August 31, 2017

    Tamil roasted curry powder (Thool) Method A (page 16)

  • Lem9579  on  September 1, 2017

    spicy baked chicken

  • Shanthz  on  September 1, 2017

    Omelette curry

  • jlemoine  on  September 3, 2017

    Spiced okra curry looks delish!

  • JenJoLa  on  September 6, 2017

    Potato masala pancakes (Masala thosai)

  • bstewart  on  September 8, 2017

    The coconut milk congee!

  • choppergirl  on  September 8, 2017

    Chana dal deep-fried patties

  • PennyG  on  September 9, 2017

    Garlic Curry!

  • kitchenclimbers  on  September 14, 2017

    Wild boar curry

  • ladybrooke  on  September 14, 2017

    Lemon rice (Pulli chatham)

  • orchidlady01  on  September 17, 2017

    String hopper stir-fry (Indiappa kothu)

  • pcaradonna  on  September 17, 2017

    String hopper stir-fry (Indiappa kothu)

  • rchesser  on  September 18, 2017

    Plantain and coconut milk curry (Valakkai paal) .

  • lindaeatsherbooks  on  September 19, 2017

    I would like to try making the Black gram doughnuts (Ulundu vadai).

  • milgwimper  on  September 20, 2017

    Hoppers!

  • morello  on  March 26, 2020

    Egg hoppers. Perfect breakfast food.

  • antpantsii  on  March 27, 2020

    I would like to make some hoppers. Plain or Jaggery

  • Joselita  on  September 10, 2021

    The coconut flatbread

  • kayswo  on  January 7, 2022

    Savory pancakes

  • antpantsii  on  March 4, 2022

    Egg hoppers!

  • Joycesere  on  March 26, 2023

    Pumpkin curry

  • cljones  on  May 27, 2023

    I’d try spicy shrimp paste balls

  • antpantsii  on  August 6, 2023

    Hot and Sour fish Curry or Hoppers.
    Everything looks so interesting!

  • TSQ  on  August 27, 2023

    Cashew nut curry!

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