Lamprais or Lumprice is a traditional food in Sri Lanka that was introduced by the country’s Dutch Burgher population. It is a kind of packet or lump of flavorful rice, with several specific side dishes wrapped in a banana leaf. This complex Sri Lankan dish usually consists of yellow rice with meat curry, eggplant pickle, devilled potatoes, onion relish, chili paste, cutlets, and fried boiled egg. All these ingredients place inside a pre-heated banana leaf to pack Lamprais.
One of the unique features of Lamprais is its nice aroma and authentic taste. The secret taste of Lamprais lies in the use of a banana leaf to pack them. Banana leaf is fire-warmed before wrapping food and it imparts a nice aroma to the food. Without a doubt, this is a yummy meal with a delightful taste and a must-try traditional food in Sri Lanka.
This Sri Lankan delicacy is very popular in the country throughout its history. Actually, Lamprais was an on-the-go meal for long journeys in the past. Sri Lankans used to carry a pack of Lamprais with them, during pilgrimages and trips. Since all the curries include in Lamprais are dry curries, they can keep at room temperature even for a day without spoiling.
Cooking the Lamprais is a complex procedure. Rice and curries need to cook separately and the Banana leaf is heated to make it pliable. Then a rice portion is served on the banana leaf with the rest of the curries around the rice. Finally, the banana leaf is folded into a rice packet, taking care not to tear the leaf.
Usually, Lamprais consists of several specific side dishes. Here we are going to introduce you to these specific curries you’ll find in the Sri Lankan Lamprais.
1. Rice
The savory rice in Lamprais is definitely more delicious than plain rice. It is made by frying raw short-grain rice with onions and spices in butter or ghee and then cooking it in meat stock. Finally, cashew nuts, peanuts, and dried plums add to the rice. This yellow rice in Lamprais is so yummy, even without the curries. The combination of this savory rice with curries makes Lamprais a mouthwatering, heavenly meal.
2. Chicken
The traditional recipe contained a three-meat curry of beef, pork, and chicken. However, modern Lamprais include just a single meat option. The most popular one is chicken Lamprais. It contains soft and tender spicy chicken curry, one of the most delicious foods in Sri Lanka. It goes along well with savory rice in Lamprais.
Sri Lankans cook chicken by adding a lot of spices including chili powder, pepper powder, and curry powder. The combination of these spices gives a nice flavor to the chunks of Chicken. Garlic, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon add a nice aroma to it. Although a little spicy, the chicken curry is an ideal companion for Lamprais.
3. Wambotu Moju
Wambotu moju or fried eggplant pickle is an essential item in Sri Lankan Lamprais. It is one of the most delicious side dishes in Sri Lanka. Candied and sweet, it is a favorite among both adults and kids. To make this dish, deep-fried eggplants need to cook with spices, sugar, and vinegar. The slightly sour taste of vinegar and the sweetness from the sugar is a brilliant combination.
Since this pickle is a deep-fried delicacy, it can keep at room temperature for a few days without spoiling. Moreover, the flavor develops with time. After tasting this yummy dish, it’s sure you are going to love it. You can try to make this delicacy at your home too.
4. Devilled Potatoes
A dry potato curry call as ”ala thel dala” in Sinhalese is a devilled potato curry you’ll find in Sri Lankan Lamprais. It’s a spicy potato fry but with a hot taste than the regular potato curry. It prepares by mixing and frying boiled potatoes with onions, curry leaves, and loads of red chili flakes. Since Chili flakes add spiciness to the curry, it is definitely giving a devilled taste. This is one of the tastiest vegan curries you’ll find in Sri Lankan Lamprais.
5. Seeni Sambol
Seeni sambol or onion relish is a delicacy you’ll find in Sri Lankan Lamprais. This caramelized onion fry is a delicious side dish in Sri Lanka. The deep-fried onions mix with chili flakes, salt, and sugar to make this relish. The sweetness that comes from sugar is perfectly balanced with chili and spices to give a combination of sweet and spicy tastes.
Several tastes in a one-dish make it a wonderful accompaniment for other food. Seeni sambol also remains at room temperature even for a few days without spoiling. You can taste this Sri Lankan delicacy along with Lamprais.
6. Twice-cooked Egg
A hard-boiled and deep-fried egg is an essential part of Lamprais, although it is a non-traditional addition. This golden-brown fried egg in the lump rice pack enhances its appearance a lot. Also, it gives a good taste and it is a nice combination with other curries.
7. Chili Paste
Sri Lankan Chili paste or Lunu Miris is a relish made with onions, red chilies, and salt. All the ingredients add to a mortar and pestle and crushed well. Finally, a bit of lime juice adds to enhance the taste. Maldives Fish use to enhance the taste of chili paste. Certainly, it is the spiciest side dish you’ll find in Sri Lanka.
Lunu miris is a perfect spicy condiment for many main courses including Lamprais. Although it is a hot condiment, most people love it. Tasting Sri Lankan chili paste with Lamprais is a truly authentic experience you can get in the country. Without a doubt, it gives a good taste to spicy food lovers.
8. Cutlets
You’ll find a deep-fried, breadcrumb-covered golden ball in Sri Lankan Lamprais. These delicious balls called cutlets are a mixture of potato and canned fish. It is one of the major short eats in Sri Lanka.
The main ingredient of the filling is mashed potatoes and canned fish or fresh-boiled tuna fish. They come in either round or oval shapes. This appetizing short eat is an essential item in Lamprais.
To sum up, Lamprais is the star among the traditional food in Sri Lanka, preferred by all communities in the country. The combination of specific side dishes and the flavorful rice is a delightful treat to the taste buds. Let me assure you, there isn’t any other food as aromatic and flavorful as much as that of Lamprais in Sri Lanka. You’ll discover the nice aroma and taste of the rice, infused with heated banana leaves. Remember to taste the delicious Lamprais while food touring in Sri Lanka. Have a nice meal for you all!
Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from Wikimedia Commons, Facebook, and Twitter. All copyrights are reserved by original authors.
