Sri Lankan Lamprais
Experience the rich, aromatic flavors of Sri Lanka with this traditional Lamprais, a complete meal parcelled in a banana leaf. Succulent chicken, pork, and beef are slow-cooked in a fragrant curry, complemented by sweet and spicy seeni sambol, tangy eggplant pahi, and savory frikkadels, all nestled with flavorful rice and baked to perfection.
An original recipe by Forkin
- Total time
- 3 hr 30 min
- Serves
- 4
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Per serving
- 1,393 kcal
Allergen information: may contain eggs, gluten, and mustard. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.
Mise en place
Ingredients
Converted for display; the recipe amounts stay equivalent.
meat curry
- 300 gbone-in chicken thigh, cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces
- 200 gpork shoulder, cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces
- 200 gbeef stew meat, cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces
- 1 pcsred onion, finely sliced
- 4 clovegarlic, minced
- 1 tbspginger, grated
- 10 pcscurry leaf
- 1 pcscinnamon stick, 1-inch (2.5 cm) piece
- 3 pcscardamom pod, lightly crushed
- 3 pcsclove
- 1 tspchili powder
- 2 tsproasted curry powder
- 0.5 tspturmeric powder
- 240 mlcoconut milk
- 120 mlwater
- 1 tspsalt
seeni sambol
- 2 pcsred onion, finely sliced
- 2 pcsgreen chili, slit
- 5 pcscurry leaf
- 0.5 pcscinnamon stick, 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) piece
- 2 pcscardamom pod, lightly crushed
- 1 tspred chili flake
- 1 tsptamarind paste
- 2 tspsugar
- 0.5 tspsalt
- 2 tbspoil
eggplant pahi
- 1 pcseggplant, cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces
- 0.5 pcsred onion, finely sliced
- 2 clovegarlic, minced
- 0.5 tbspginger, grated
- 1 pcsgreen chili, slit
- 0.5 tspmustard seed
- 0.25 tspturmeric powder
- 2 tbspvinegar
- 1 tspsugar
- 0.25 tspsalt
- 3 tbspoil
frikkadels
- 200 gground beef
- 0.5 pcsred onion, finely chopped
- 2 clovegarlic, minced
- 0.25 cupbread crumb
- 1 pcsegg
- 1 pcsgreen chili, finely chopped
- 0.5 tspblack pepper
- 0.5 tspsalt
- 2 tbspoil, for frying
rice
- 2 cupbasmati rice, rinsed
- 4 cupchicken stock
- 1 tspsalt
assembly
- 4 pcsbanana leaf, wiped clean and wilted over flame
Equipment
Large heavy-bottomed pot · 2× Medium frying pan · Medium pot with lid · Baking sheet · Oven · Chef's knife · Cutting board · Grater · 2× Mixing bowls · Spatula or wooden spoon · Paper towels · Kitchen twine (optional) (optional) · Aluminum foil (optional) (optional)
The method
Step by step
- 1
Prepare the meat for the curry: Cut the chicken thigh, pork shoulder, and beef stew meat into 1-inch pieces.
About 10 min
Cook’s note: Uniformly sized pieces ensure even cooking and tender results.
- 2
Mince the garlic and grate the ginger for the meat curry.
About 5 min
- 3
Combine all meat curry ingredients (chicken, pork, beef, 1 sliced red onion, minced garlic, grated ginger, curry leaves, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, chili powder, roasted curry powder, turmeric powder, coconut milk, water, and 1 tsp salt) in a large, heavy-bottomed pot.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: Using a heavy-bottomed pot helps distribute heat evenly and prevents scorching during the long simmer.
- 4
Bring the meat curry mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then immediately reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 90 minutes, or until all meats are fork-tender and the sauce has significantly thickened.
About 1 hr 30 min
Cook’s note: Stir the curry every 15-20 minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. The meat should be very tender as it will be baked again later.
- 5
While the curry simmers, prepare the seeni sambol: Thinly slice 2 red onions and 2 green chilies.
About 5 min
- 6
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a medium frying pan over medium heat. Add the sliced red onion, green chilies, 5 curry leaves, 0.5 cinnamon stick, and 2 cardamom pods.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: The oil should be shimmering but not smoking before adding the aromatics.
- 7
Sauté the seeni sambol mixture, stirring frequently, until the onions are deeply softened and translucent, about 8-10 minutes.
About 10 min
Cook’s note: Patience is key here; properly caramelized onions form the flavor base of the sambol.
- 8
Stir in the red chili flakes, tamarind paste, 2 tsp sugar, and 0.5 tsp salt. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sambol is dark, sticky, and fragrant.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: Tamarind paste adds a crucial tangy note; ensure it's well incorporated.
- 9
Prepare the eggplant pahi: Wash and cut 1 eggplant into 1-inch cubes.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: Salting the eggplant for 30 minutes before frying can draw out moisture and reduce oil absorption, though it's optional for this recipe.
- 10
Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a separate frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the eggplant pieces and fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown and tender, about 5-7 minutes.
About 7 min
Cook’s note: Do not overcrowd the pan; fry the eggplant in batches if necessary to ensure proper browning and avoid steaming.
- 11
Remove the fried eggplant from the pan and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
About 1 min
- 12
Reduce the heat to medium in the same pan. Add 0.5 sliced red onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 0.5 tbsp grated ginger, 1 chopped green chili, and 0.5 tsp mustard seeds. Sauté until fragrant, about 3 minutes.
About 3 min
Cook’s note: Mustard seeds will pop when hot; cover briefly if they become too active.
- 13
Stir in 0.25 tsp turmeric powder, 2 tbsp vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, and 0.25 tsp salt. Return the fried eggplant to the pan and gently toss to coat evenly.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: Handle the cooked eggplant gently to prevent it from breaking apart.
- 14
Cook the eggplant pahi for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld, then remove from heat.
About 3 min
- 15
Prepare the frikkadels: In a large mixing bowl, combine 200g ground beef, 0.5 finely chopped red onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 0.25 cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 1 finely chopped green chili, 0.5 tsp black pepper, and 0.5 tsp salt.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: Mix the ingredients thoroughly but avoid overmixing, which can make the frikkadels tough.
- 16
Form the mixture into small, flat meatballs, approximately 1 inch in diameter.
About 10 min
Cook’s note: Lightly moisten your hands with water to prevent the mixture from sticking while forming the frikkadels.
- 17
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the frikkadels in batches until they are golden brown on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per batch.
About 7 min
Cook’s note: Ensure the internal temperature reaches 71°C (160°F) for ground beef.
- 18
Prepare the rice: Rinse 2 cups of basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: Rinsing removes excess starch, resulting in fluffier, less sticky rice.
- 19
In a medium pot, combine the rinsed basmati rice, 4 cups of chicken stock, and 1 tsp salt. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat.
About 5 min
- 20
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
About 15 min
Cook’s note: Do not lift the lid during cooking to allow the rice to steam properly.
- 21
Remove the rice from heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: Resting allows the steam to redistribute, making the rice perfectly tender.
- 22
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
About 15 min
Cook’s note: Ensure the oven is fully preheated for even baking.
- 23
Prepare the banana leaves: Briefly pass each banana leaf over an open flame or dip in hot water until it becomes pliable and slightly darker green. This prevents cracking when folding.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: Be careful not to burn the leaves; a quick pass is sufficient.
- 24
Assemble each lamprais: Lay a wilted banana leaf on a clean surface. Place a generous portion of cooked rice in the center.
About 1 min
- 25
Spoon a generous amount of the meat curry over the rice. Arrange a spoonful of seeni sambol, eggplant pahi, and a few frikkadels alongside the curry.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: Aim for an aesthetically pleasing arrangement within the leaf.
- 26
Carefully fold the banana leaf to create a neat, secure parcel. You can use kitchen twine or aluminum foil to secure the parcels if the leaves are not holding their shape.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: Ensure the parcels are tightly sealed to trap moisture and allow the flavors to meld beautifully during baking.
- 27
Place the banana leaf parcels on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes.
About 30 min
Cook’s note: Baking allows the distinct flavors of each component to infuse into the rice and each other, creating a harmonious dish.
- 28
Serve the Lamprais hot, directly in their banana leaf parcels, allowing each diner to unwrap their own fragrant meal.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: The banana leaf is for presentation and flavor infusion; it is not meant to be eaten.
Per serving
Nutrition
- Calories
- 1,393.1kcal
- Protein
- 63.2g
- Carbs
- 104.5g
- Fat
- 82.5g
- Fibre
- 8.1g
- Sugar
- 13.5g
Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.
Keep it good
Lamprais is a celebratory dish, perfect for special occasions. Serve it with a simple green salad to cut through the richness, or a refreshing raita. For a truly authentic experience, pair it with a chilled ginger beer. While the component list is long, many steps can be done in parallel, making it a rewarding culinary project.
Store any leftover Lamprais components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The banana leaf parcels are best enjoyed fresh.
Reheat the curry, seeni sambol, eggplant pahi, and frikkadels gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through. Reheat rice separately. Do not re-bake in banana leaves.
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