Cumin seeds and curry leaves fried in coconut oil. Versatile homemade curry powder. Rich cashews and coconut cream cut with bright lime juice. These are some of the flavors and smells of O Tama Carey’s home cuisine of Sri Lanka, and she’s here to welcome you in. The author of “Lanka Food” and owner of the restaurant “Lankan Filling Station” in Sydney, Australia, O Tama will start by teaching you to make your own curry powder, a unique “white” blend made with untoasted spices. Then, we’ll put that blend to good use in a cashew curry. This isn’t a curry with nuts scattered on as an afterthought: cashews are the star and they make this curry so satisfying that nobody will guess that it’s actually vegan. Then, she’ll make lunu miris, one of Sri Lanka’s most beloved sambols. It’s a complex combination of dried fish flakes, chilies, onion and spices, and once you’ve tried it, you’ll never want to be without this spicy, umami-rich condiment. To round out the meal, we’ll cook up a batch of shockingly delicious simple dhal, a dish that O Tama calls “a thing of beauty and comfort.” Using economical lentils and easy-to-find aromatics, dhal is home food at its very best. You’ll learn to make one that’s anything but dull with the addition of mustard seeds, turmeric and cinnamon. As we cook, you’ll learn about the geographical and historical forces that have shaped the food of Sri Lanka. Follow on social media! Facebook + Instagram
