Sri Lankan Malu Banis – By Nadeeka – eLanka
Sri Lankan Malu Banis, also known as fish buns, are a popular snack in Sri Lanka. They are typically made with a spicy fish filling encased in a soft bread-like dough, which is then baked or fried until crispy. The filling is usually made with canned or fresh tuna, mixed with onion, garlic, green chili, curry leaves, and a blend of spices.
To make Sri Lankan Malu Banis, the dough is typically made with flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and milk or coconut milk. The dough is then allowed to rise, and small portions are filled with the fish filling and shaped into buns. The buns are then either deep-fried or baked until golden brown.
Sri Lankan Malu Banis are often served as a snack or as a popular breakfast food, and can be found in many bakeries and street vendors throughout Sri Lanka. They are a delicious and flavorful snack that is enjoyed by many Sri Lankans and visitors to the country.
Here is a recipe for Sri Lankan Malu Banis:
For the dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup warm milk or coconut milk
For the filling:
- 2 cans of tuna, drained
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 green chillies, finely chopped
- A handful of curry leaves, finely chopped
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- Salt to taste
For frying:
- Oil for deep-frying
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add the warm milk or coconut milk and mix well to form a smooth dough. Cover and let it rise for about 1 hour.
- In the meantime, prepare the filling. In a pan, heat some oil and add the onion, garlic, green chillies, and curry leaves. Fry for a few minutes until the onions are soft.
- Add the tuna, chili powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, and salt to the pan. Mix well and cook for a few minutes until the filling is dry.
- Divide the dough into small portions and roll out each portion into a circle. Add a spoonful of the fish filling in the center and fold the dough over the filling to encase it completely.
- Heat the oil in a deep pan or wok. Fry the Malu Banis in the hot oil until golden brown and crispy. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels.
- Serve hot with your favorite sauce or chutney.
Enjoy your delicious Sri Lankan Malu Banis!
