Ep 9. Episode 9
- January 30, 2008
- 25 min
Food Safari season 2 episode 9 is an exploration of the diverse and delicious cuisine of Sri Lanka. Host Maeve O'Meara takes viewers on a culinary journey, meeting local food experts and home cooks who share their passion for Sri Lankan cuisine.
The episode begins with a visit to a Tamil temple in Melbourne, where Maeve meets with local cook Jeya Sivendra. Jeya shares her recipe for dosai, a savory pancake made from fermented rice and lentil batter, garnished with spicy chutney and sambal.
Next, Maeve travels to Sri Lanka to discover more about the country's food culture. She visits a bustling spice market in Colombo, where vendors offer an array of exotic spices and aromatics. Maeve learns about the key ingredients used in Sri Lankan cooking, such as curry leaves, cinnamon, cardamom, and pandan leaves.
Maeve also explores the coastal city of Negombo, known for its fresh seafood. She meets with a local fisherman and accompanies him on his daily catch. Maeve then heads to the market to pick up some prawns and spices and gets a lesson on how to cook a traditional Sri Lankan prawn curry.
Later in the episode, Maeve heads to Sri Lanka's hill country to discover the unique culinary traditions of the Tamil community. She meets with a local family who shows her how to prepare authentic Tamil dishes, such as idiyappam, steamed rice flour noodles, served with spicy fish curry and coconut sambal.
Maeve also visits a tea plantation and learns about the history and production of Ceylon tea. She is joined by local food expert Peter Kuruvita, who takes her through a tea tasting and explains how tea and food are intricately intertwined in Sri Lankan culture.
The episode concludes with a visit to a Buddhist temple, where Maeve meets with the head cook and learns how to make kiribath, a sweet rice pudding that is typically served for special occasions.
Overall, Food Safari season 2 episode 9 is a fascinating exploration of the vibrant food culture of Sri Lanka. Maeve O'Meara's enthusiasm and curiosity make for an engaging viewing experience, and viewers are sure to come away with a newfound appreciation for Sri Lankan cuisine.