Sri Lankan Traditional Cooking Demonstration

General description : Sri Lankan cuisine is one of the most complex cuisines of South Asia. Due to itsproximity to South India, Sri Lankan food has some similarities to Indian cooking, yet is in many waysquite distinct. As a major trade hub, the cuisine also draws from a multitude of international influence.Foreign merchants and colonial powers all brought their own recipes and ingredients with them and manywere incorporated into the dishes seen today. Rice, which is consumed daily, can be found at anyoccasion, while spicy curries are favorite dishes for lunch and dinner. There are many different ethnicgroups living within Sri Lanka, each with their own individual take on Lankan cuisine. Sinhalese cookingtechniques are most prevalent in the south of the island and, broadly speaking, the cuisine relies heavilyon the core ingredients of coconut, vegetables, rice, fresh chillis, spices, and curry leaves, all of whichgrow in abundance on this part of the island. Spend the day learning how to cook a traditional Sinhalesemeal at a beautiful private paddy island just north of Galle.

Experience description :This experience is run by host chefs who will pick you up bright and early inthe morning and take you to the local markets where you will get an introduction to some lesser knowningredients such as bitter gourd, wing beans and gotukola. Just next door are the spice markets, wheregiant buckets are brimming full of tumeric, cinnamon, curry powder and a kaleidoscope range of SriLanka’s staple spices. After this you will take a short drive to the fish markets which border the ocean.Here, tempered by a fresh salty breeze and the alluring backdrop of the Indian Ocean, the fishermengather daily to sell their catch of the day. From the chaos of the markets you will then make your way toone of the most serene areas in Galle to begin cooking. The Paddy Island is a private property with anopen-air dining area and kitchen set in the middle of several rice paddies. During the summer months,these paddies glow emerald green and the scenery is lush and dense with flowers and plants. Thepreparation and cooking of lunch is done in the outside kitchens by two village locals and the chefs.You will have the opportunity to scrape coconuts in the traditional manner, prepare the vegetables, andlearn the secrets to making popular curries and side-dishes such as chicken curry, dahl, fish balls andcoconut sambol. Once the cooking is finished a leisurely lunch is served in the dining area with panoramicviews over the rice paddy. Afterwards you can lounge around and enjoy the views of the paddy islandwith its lotus pond, large variety of bird life and surrounding rice fields.

Includes : Lunch, water, soft drinks, cool towels, live cooking demonstration, apron, and recipe booklet

Duration: Approx. 4 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Suitable for children: This is suitable for children, whether they have an interest or not in cooking, thegarden presents a fantastic natural playground.

Meeting time: 10.00 AM to 2.00 PM

What to wear/bring along: Cool, light clothing

Important to know: Alcoholic beverages are not served during the experience. Any dietaryrequirements/restrictions should be conveyed to SLIS prior to booking this experience. There is noswimming pool.

Private or not? Private

Rate :

1 to 3 pax USD 45

4 to 12 pax USD 40