Sri Lankan Rice and Curry

A beloved staple of Sri Lankan cuisine, Rice and Curry is a colorful and flavorful meal that combines steamed rice with a variety of vegetable and meat curries. Perfectly spiced, aromatic, and wholesome—this dish captures the heart of Sri Lankan cooking.

📝 Ingredients

🍚 For the Rice:

  • 2 cups white or red raw rice (e.g., Samba or Kekulu rice)

  • 4 cups water

  • Salt to taste

🍛 For the Dhal (Lentil) Curry:

  • 1 cup red lentils (Masoor dhal)

  • 2 cups water

  • ½ tsp turmeric powder

  • ½ tsp chili powder

  • Salt to taste

  • ¼ cup coconut milk

  • 2 garlic cloves (sliced)

  • 1 small onion (sliced)

  • 1 sprig curry leaves

  • ½ tsp mustard seeds

  • 1 tbsp coconut oil

🥔 For the Potato Curry:

  • 2 medium potatoes (boiled and cubed)

  • ½ onion (sliced)

  • 1 green chili (sliced)

  • ½ tsp turmeric powder

  • ½ tsp curry powder

  • ¼ tsp chili powder

  • Salt to taste

  • ½ cup thick coconut milk

  • 1 sprig curry leaves

  • 1 tbsp coconut oil

🍗 For the Chicken Curry (optional):

  • 500g chicken (cut into pieces)

  • 1 onion (chopped)

  • 2 garlic cloves (chopped)

  • 1-inch piece of ginger (grated)

  • 2 tbsp roasted curry powder

  • ½ tsp chili powder

  • ½ tsp turmeric

  • 1 tsp black pepper

  • 1 cinnamon stick

  • 1 sprig curry leaves

  • Salt to taste

  • 1 cup coconut milk

  • 2 tbsp oil

🥒 For the Gotukola Sambol (Herbal Salad):

  • 1 bunch gotukola (finely chopped)

  • 2 tbsp scraped coconut

  • 1 small red onion (finely chopped)

  • 1 green chili (chopped)

  • ½ lime (juice)

  • Salt to taste

👩‍🍳 Instructions

  1. Cook the Rice
    Rinse rice thoroughly. Boil with water and a pinch of salt until cooked. Drain if needed and keep warm.

  2. Make the Dhal Curry

    • Wash lentils and cook with water, turmeric, and chili powder.

    • Once soft, add coconut milk and salt.

    • In a separate pan, heat oil, sauté mustard seeds, garlic, onion, and curry leaves, then add to the dhal.

  3. Prepare the Potato Curry

    • Sauté onions, green chili, and curry leaves in oil.

    • Add spices and stir.

    • Add boiled potatoes and coconut milk. Simmer until thickened.

  4. Cook the Chicken Curry

    • Marinate chicken with salt and spices.

    • In a pot, sauté onion, garlic, ginger, and curry leaves.

    • Add chicken and cook until browned.

    • Add coconut milk and simmer until the chicken is cooked and the gravy thickens.

  5. Mix the Gotukola Sambol

    • Combine all sambol ingredients in a bowl. Mix well and serve fresh.

🍽️ Serving Suggestion

Serve steamed rice on a plate, surrounded by dhal curry, potato curry, and chicken curry. Top it off with gotukola sambol and maybe a crispy papadam or fried eggplant. A feast of flavors and colors!