Malsha Madhuhansi

Seeni Sambal (Sri Lankan Sweet Onion Relish) – By Malsha – eLanka   Seeni Sambal (Sri Lankan Sweet Onion Relish) is a popular condiment in Sri Lankan cuisine. It’s sweet, spicy, and tangy, usually served with rice, hoppers, or bread. Here’s a simple recipe for Seeni Sambal: Ingredients: 500g onions (preferably red onions, thinly sliced) 2 tablespoons oil (vegetable or coconut oil) 1-2 tablespoons Maldive fish flakes (optional) 2-3 dried red chilies 1-2 teaspoons chili powder 1 teaspoon turmeric powder 1 teaspoon mustard seeds 2 tablespoons tamarind paste 2-3 tablespoons sugar (jaggery works best) Salt to taste Curry leaves (a small handful) 1 cinnamon stick (about 2 inches) 3-4 cloves of garlic (sliced) 1 small piece of pandan leaf (optional) Instructions: Prepare the onions: Peel and thinly slice the onions. Set aside. Heat the oil: In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat oil over medium heat. Once hot, add mustard seeds and ...

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Best Sri Lankan Pol Sambol Recipe: A Quick & Flavorful Coconut Relish – By Malsha – eLanka Pol Sambol (Coconut Sambol) is a traditional Sri Lankan side dish that adds a burst of flavor to any meal. “Pol” means coconut in Sinhala, and “Sambol” refers to a spiced relish. This recipe blends shredded coconut with onions, chilies, spices, lemon juice, and salt for an easy yet authentic Sri Lankan dish. Growing up in Sri Lanka, coconut grating was a family task. We used a traditional coconut scraper, and the fresh coconut was always the star of the meal. Now living abroad, I opt for frozen shredded coconut from Indian grocery stores, which works well for making Pol Sambol quickly. Pol Sambol is fast to prepare and adds a vibrant, spicy kick to your meals. It’s one of the unofficial national dishes of Sri Lanka, perfect for pairing with rice, curries, ...

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Delicious Sri Lankan wood apple juice recipe – By Malsha – eLanka Wood apple juice, also known as “Diwul Kiri” or “Velidodang Juice” in Sri Lanka, is a popular and refreshing drink made from the pulp of the wood apple fruit. The juice has a unique, tangy flavor that is both sweet and slightly sour. Here’s a simple recipe to make wood apple juice at home: Ingredients: 1 ripe wood apple 2-3 tablespoons of jaggery or sugar (adjust to taste) 1 cup of water (adjust to desired consistency) A pinch of salt (optional) Ice cubes (optional) 1/2 cup of fresh coconut milk (optional, for a creamy texture) Instructions: Prepare the Wood Apple: Wash the wood apple thoroughly to remove any dirt. Crack open the hard shell of the wood apple by tapping it with a heavy object, like a rolling pin or a hammer. Scoop out the sticky, brown pulp ...

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Tropical Rambutan Smoothie – By Malsha – eLanka Ingredients: 3 rambutans, peeled and pitted 2 cups coconut meat 1 banana Instructions: Gather all the ingredients. Combine the rambutans, coconut meat, and banana in a blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth. Pour the smoothie into a tall glass. Enjoy your refreshing tropical rambutan smoothie!   Click here to receive your free copy of the eLanka Newsletter twice a week delivered directly to your inbox!   ...

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Jackfruit Curry – By Malsha – eLanka Ingredients for Jackfruit Curry Ingredients for tempering: 3 tablespoons oil 2 garlic cloves, finely sliced 1 medium onion, finely sliced 1 teaspoon red chili flakes 1 teaspoon mustard seeds Ingredients for cooking the curry: 20-25 unripe jackfruit pods, cleaned and cut into desired size (including seeds if available) 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder (or 1 teaspoon coriander powder and 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder as a substitute) 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds 3 garlic cloves, finely sliced 1 large onion, sliced 2-inch piece of pandan leaf 1-2 sprigs of curry leaves 1/2-1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1-inch cinnamon stick 1-2 green chilies, halved 1 1/2 cups thin coconut milk (2 teaspoons coconut milk powder in water or 1/4 cup thick coconut milk diluted with water) 1 cup thick coconut milk Salt to taste How to Clean & Prepare the Jackfruit Preparation: ...

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Sri Lankan Pittu Recipe – By Malsha – eLanka Ingredients: 2 cups of rice flour (roasted) 1 cup of grated coconut 1 teaspoon of salt Water (as needed) For Serving: Coconut milk Curry of your choice (fish, chicken, vegetable, etc.) Instructions: Prepare the Rice Flour: Roast the rice flour in a dry pan over low heat for about 5-7 minutes until it is slightly golden and aromatic. Be careful not to burn it. Let it cool. Mix the Flour and Coconut: In a large bowl, combine the roasted rice flour, grated coconut, and salt. Add Water: Gradually sprinkle water into the mixture while mixing with your hands. The goal is to get a crumbly texture, similar to breadcrumbs. The mixture should be moist but not wet, and it should hold together when pressed between your fingers. Prepare the Steamer: You can use a traditional pittu bamboo steamer or any steamer ...

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How to Make Delicious Hoppers – By Malsha – eLanka Materials Required: 1 kg raw rice 2 cups coconut milk 1 toasted coconut 1 tablespoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon yeast Method: Soak the Rice: Take 2 cups of raw rice and soak them in boiling water for 4 hours. Prepare Coconut Milk: Grind the toasted coconut and extract 2 cups of coconut milk. Reserve one cup for immediate use and the other for making the hoppers. Blend the Ingredients: Drain the soaked rice and place it in a blender. Gradually add the first cup of coconut milk while blending until smooth. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of yeast to the mixture. Blend well. Fermentation: Leave the mixture to ferment overnight. Final Mixing: The next day, gradually add the second cup of coconut milk to the fermented mixture. Add only enough to reach the desired consistency. Cooking the Hoppers: ...

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Kurakkan Pudding Recipe – By Malsha – eLanka Ingredients 1/4 cup of Kurakkan flour 2 cups of fresh milk 1 teaspoon of butter 3 tablespoons of sugar 2 tablespoons of finely chopped cashew nuts 1 pinch of salt 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence Instructions Prepare the Kurakkan Mixture: Put the Kurakkan flour in a pan and add one cup of milk. Mix well to eliminate any lumps. Add sugar and salt to the mixture, stirring until fully dissolved. Strain the Mixture: Strain the mixture through a fine sieve to achieve a smooth consistency. This step ensures the pudding will be soft and creamy. Return the strained mixture to the pan. Cook the Mixture: Place the pan on the stove over the lowest flame, stirring constantly. The mixture will gradually thicken. Once it starts to thicken, add the remaining cup of milk gradually, stirring continuously. Add the vanilla essence and continue ...

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Homemade Jackfruit seeds Toffee – By Malsha – eLanka Ingredients: 2 cups jackfruit 1 cup sugar 1 tablespoon butter 2 cardamom seeds A little vanilla extract A pinch of salt Instructions: Prepare the Jackfruit Seeds: Add a pinch of salt to the jackfruit seeds and boil them until soft. Remove the peel from the boiled seeds and grind them into a smooth paste. Cook the Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground jackfruit paste and sugar. Place the bowl on the stove over medium heat and stir continuously until the sugar melts and forms a cohesive lump with the jackfruit paste. Add Flavorings: Once the sugar has melted, add the butter, vanilla extract, and cardamom seeds to the mixture. Mix well to incorporate all the ingredients and reduce the heat to low. Thicken the Mixture: Continue stirring the mixture on low heat until it thickens to a toffee-like consistency. ...

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The Growth and Challenges of the Sri Lankan Rubber Industry – By Malsha – eLanka Introduction Sri Lanka’s rubber industry, with its roots tracing back to the early 20th century, stands as a vital segment of the nation’s agricultural and industrial landscape. Known for producing high-quality natural rubber, Sri Lanka has carved a niche in the global market, contributing significantly to the country’s economy. This article delves into the history, current status, and future prospects of the Sri Lankan rubber industry, while also addressing the challenges it faces. Historical Background The rubber industry in Sri Lanka began in 1876 when the first rubber plant was introduced from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London. The plantation sector flourished, with rubber becoming a major export commodity alongside tea and coconut. By the mid-20th century, Sri Lanka had established itself as a key player in the global rubber market. Current Status Today, the ...

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