World on a Plate: Auspicious Food for a Prosperous New Years in Sri Lanka

Kiri Bath (Coconut Milk Rice)

Sri Lankan Kiri Bath (pronounced "kiree-buth", translates in English literally as "milk rice") is a traditional dish that is served and eaten during celebrations and auspicious occasions to mark and symbolize luck and happiness.  Most Sri Lankans start the first of every month (especially January 1st) with kiri bath for breakfast in hopes of starting the month and year off with good luck.

Ingredients:
2 cups rice (see note)
4-5 cups of water
2 cups of coconut milk (fresh, can)
salt to taste

Note: you can use any long grain white, brown or red rice for this dish.  If you use a firmer grain rice like brown or red rice I suggest you wash and soak the rice for 30 minutes to help the cooking process.

Directions:
Step 1: Wash the rice several times with water until the water runs clear from the rice. Soak rice if you desire to help your cooking time.
Step 2:  In a large pot on high heat add rice and 4-5 cups of water. Bring rice to a boil then reduce to a gentle simmer (medium-low heat) and allow to cook for 20-30 minutes until almost all the water is absorbed. Next add the coconut milk and the salt to taste. Mix all ingredients well and cook in at a low heat until the coconut milk is fully absorbed. The rice should be very tender and the consistency of the rice should be creamy (kind of like a firm rice pudding).

The rice is traditionally served on a platter and formed into a thick cake and cut into diamonds (see first picture for example). The rice will be firm enough to stick together and the pieces should be able to be served individually.  Although this rice is completely delicious on its own, it is traditionally served with chili/onion sambal called lunu miris pictured below or any of the dishes listed below.

 

 

 

Deviled Onion Sambal- Sri Lankan (Spicy)

 

 

Chicken Curry- Sri Lankan- My Mother's Version

Sri Lankan Fiery Pork Curry

World on a Plate is a blogging cultural exchange. On the last Sunday of the month, bloggers from all over the world get together to interpret a food through the lens of their home country cooking. Each blogger will produce a wonderful dish featuring the food chosen that is typical of her/his home country and will tell us a bit about the dish.

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