Lamprais
A flavorful rice dish baked in a banana leaf parcel, typically containing spiced rice, meat curry (often chicken or beef), frikkadels (meatballs), and a sweet and savory side dish like eggplant moju. It's a Dutch Burgher culinary influence in Sri Lanka.
🧂 Ingredients
- 300 g Basmati rice
- 500 g Chicken or Beef(cut into small cubes)
- 2 medium Onions(finely chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch piece Ginger(grated)
- 10 leaves Curry leaves
- 1 inch Cinnamon stick
- 3 pods Cardamom pods
- 3 pieces Cloves
- 1 tsp Chili powder
- 0.5 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 tsp Coriander powder
- 1 tsp Garam masala
- 200 ml Coconut milk
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- Salt(to taste)
- 4 large Banana leaves(wilted over flame)
- For Frikadels (Meatballs):
- 250 g Ground beef or chicken
- 1 small Onion(finely chopped)
- 50 g Breadcrumbs
- 1 large Egg
- For Eggplant Moju (optional side):
- 1 medium Eggplant(cubed and fried)
- 1 small Onion(sliced)
- 2 green Chili peppers(sliced)
- 1 tsp Mustard seeds
- 2 tbsp Vinegar
- 1 tbsp Sugar
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Rinse the basmati rice and soak it in water for 20 minutes. Drain well.
- 2
Prepare the meat curry: Heat oil in a pot. Sauté onions until golden brown. Add garlic, ginger, curry leaves, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. Stir for a minute until fragrant.
- 3
Add the meat cubes and cook until browned. Stir in chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, and garam masala. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- 4
Pour in coconut milk and a little water if needed. Simmer until the meat is tender and the gravy has thickened. Season with salt.
- 5
Prepare the frikkadels: Mix ground meat, chopped onion, breadcrumbs, egg, and salt. Form into small meatballs. Pan-fry or bake until cooked through.
- 6
Cook the rice: In a separate pot, sauté a small amount of chopped onion in a little oil. Add the drained rice, stir for a minute, then add enough water or thin coconut milk to cook the rice until done. Season with salt.
- 7
Prepare the eggplant moju (if using): Fry the eggplant cubes until golden. In a separate pan, temper mustard seeds in oil. Add sliced onions, chili peppers, vinegar, and sugar. Simmer for a few minutes. Add the fried eggplant and mix well.
- 8
Assemble the Lamprais: Lay out a wilted banana leaf. Place a portion of cooked rice in the center. Top with a spoonful of meat curry, a frikadel, and a small portion of eggplant moju. Wrap the banana leaf tightly into a parcel.
- 9
Bake the parcels in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 30-40 minutes, or until heated through and the banana leaf is slightly toasted.
💡 Tip: Ensure parcels are sealed tightly to prevent leakage.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Wilt the banana leaves over a low flame to make them pliable and prevent tearing.
- ✓Adjust the spice levels according to your preference.
- ✓Lamprais is often served with additional sambols or chutneys.
🔄 Variations
- Use fish or vegetable curry instead of meat.
- Add a fried boiled egg to the parcel.
- Include a small portion of seeni sambol (caramelized onion sambol).