Cabbage, Capsicum and Leeks Varai

This is a Sri Lankan stir fry dish, with grated coconut. Coconut is one of the main crops in Sri Lanka, hence most of the Sri Lankan curries will be made either with coconut cream or shredded coconut.

You can apply the same method of cooking to prepare similar “varai” dishes, with other vegetables or greens of your choice. Some of them are grated beetroot, carrots, snake gourd, boiled and grated ash plantain, pumpkin, ribbed gourd etc.,

Serves 2-3

Ingredients

100g Cabbage thinly sliced

1 long capsicum sliced diagonally

½ leek stick finely chopped

1 tsp chilli flakes

1 onion chopped

1 dry red chilli chopped

1 green chilli chopped

1 tsp of each mustard and fennel seeds

Pandan / Rampe leaves (Optional)

2 tbsp Grated coconut

2 tbsp vegetable oil

Method

Heat oil in a large pan, sauté onion, green chilli, dry red chilli, mustard seeds, fennel seeds, pandan leaves (optional), and grated coconut for few minutes till coconut is slightly browned.

Then add chopped cabbage, capsicum, and leeks; stir fry for 4-5 minutes till vegetables are cooked.

Season with salt and chilli flakes. Serve with rice.