Fishing in Sri Lanka

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fish-negombo

The waters surrounding the island of Sri Lanka are literally teaming with fish and while you can of course charter a boat and head out with rod and reel, you can also experience plenty without having to leave the shore.
Typically flights to Sri Lanka arrive into Negombo airport and it is worth taking at least a full day to relax, visit the fish markets and surrounding beach area where hundreds of fish are laid out to dry.
The markets are at their busiest early although they are open right through the morning and there is always something to see. The market runs 6 days a week, Sunday being the exception.
Fish is a staple in Sri Lankan cuisine and the markets demonstrate the vast number of species fished in the Indian ocean.
The beachfront leading up to the markets is a covered mats of fillets of fish and whole cuttlefish drying in the sun.  These are covered with polythene at night but essentially salt cured and left to dry for as many days as needed before being packaged and sent away for processing. Much of this is destined to become the prized Maldive fish although obviously not from the Maldives. Maldive fish is  fish that has been completely dried and is generally pounded into flakes and then sold in jars or bags. The dried fish is then added to many dishes as a flavour enhancer and also it can help to thicken sauces.

drying-squid-negombo-foodlovers

 

 

negombo-fishing2Different methods of fishing can be spotted all around the Sri Lanka coastline.  Commercial fishing is of course a major industry but it is amazing how much can be dragged to shore, simply by throwing a set net into the water.  This set net haul in Trincomalee was just one of many, although possibly had the biggest catch of the day.

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Crab and prawns are also popular and The Ministry of Crab in the old Dutch Hospital. Colombo is notably Sri Lankas most famous place to enjoy crab and Sri Lanka’s contribution to the top 50 restaurants in Asia.  Here, crab is served by weight, comes with your choice of flavours and bread cubes are recommended for mopping up the juices.
Bookings are recommended as the restaurant can be booked up for weeks in advance.

crab

Sri Lankan Fish Curry (Malu)

Kit Perera

800g seer fish steaks (Thora Malu)
1 teaspoon turmeric
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
1 sprig curry leaves
1 cinnamon quill
1 onion, finely chopped
2 green chillies split lengthways
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon Sri Lankan curry powder
2 ripe tomatoes, chopped
400 ml coconut milk
Salt to taste

Method
Combine the fish and half the turmeric in a bowl and mix well

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium to high heat; add the mustard seeds and allow them to pop. Add the cinnamon and curry leaves; cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring. Then add the onion, chillies, garlic and ginger; cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring Add the curry powder, turmeric and tomatoes. Cook for further 2 minutes, stirring
Add the fish and mix well to combine
Add coconut milk, stir and bring to a rapid simmer. Turn down the heat to low and simmer for 8-10 minutes. Season with salt

Serve with steamed rice, coconut sambal and pappadoms

Serves 4.

Sri Lankan Curry Powder

50 g- coriander seeds
30 g- cumin seeds
1 tablespoon fengureek seeds
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 cinnamon stick
4 cardamom pods
4 tablespoons dried curry leaves

Method
In a heavy based pan over low heat, dry roast separately the coriander, cumin, fengureek and fennel, stirring constantly until each becomes fairly golden. Do not let them burn.

Put the roasted spices into a spice grinder together with cinnamon stick broken in pieces, cardamom and curry leaves
Blend on high speed to a fine powder

Coconut Sambal

1 tablespoon Maldive fish flakes
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 red chilli, finely sliced
1 teaspoon ground paprika
1 heaped cup grated fresh coconut
juice of 1 lime
salt to taste

Place the Maldive fish flakes, shallot, chilli and paprika in a large mortar and grind until you get a paste.
Add the coconut and mix well.
Stir in the lime juice, season with salt and taste. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Serves 4 as a side dish

fish-basket

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