Kiribath

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Not to be confused with Kiribati.
Kiribath
Kiribath
Alternative namesකිරිබත්, Milk rice
CourseBreakfast, Main dish
Place of originSri Lanka
Associated cuisineSri Lankan cuisine
Cooking time 50 minutes to 1 hour 20 min
Main ingredientsRice, coconut milk
Ingredients generally usedSalt
VariationsMun Kiribath, Imbul kiribath
Similar dishesCoconut rice

Kiribath (Sinhala: කිරිබත්) is a traditional Sri Lankan dish made from rice. It is prepared by cooking rice with coconut milk, hence this name, and can be considered a form of rice cake or rice pudding.[1] Kiribath is an essential dish in Sri Lankan cuisine. It is very commonly served for breakfast on the first day of each month and also has the added significance of being eaten for any auspicious moment throughout one's lifetime which are marking times of transition.[2][3] It is one of the more renowned traditional dishes in Sri Lanka.[4]

Etymology

The word is a

compound with a transparent meaning in the Sinhala language
, where Kiri (කිරි) means "milk" and bath ( බත්) means "rice".

History

Gautama Buddha depicted on fresco at Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
.

The origins of kiribath are not clear, although the dish seems to be unique to Sri Lanka.[5]

It is said that

bodhi tree, just before attaining enlightenment.[3][6][7]

Occasions

In a Sinhalese home, and during Sinhalese holidays and ceremonies kiribath plays a significant role. The dish celebrates festive or auspicious occasions and symbolises the beginning of new pursuits or transitions in life.[6] Traditionally it is also eaten by families on the first day of each month.[7]

New Year

Kiribath has a very important role for the Sinhalese in celebrating the

bananas and many other delicacies. After this, the oil lamp is lit and the first meal of the year commences.[9] The kiribath symbolises life and so it is fed to the rest of the family by the head of the family, either the father or the mother, to their progenitors for the New Year.[10]

Feeding ceremony

Kiribath is traditionally the first solid food fed to an infant.[11][6][7]

Weddings

Kiribath is fed by bridegrooms to brides at their wedding.[6][7]

Ingredients and preparation

Kiribath served with lunumiris.
Ingredients

Kiribath is typically prepared from four basic components: white short-grain rice, thick coconut milk or basic milk, water and salt to taste.[6]

It is made from starchy and sticky rice, traditionally a variety known as rathu haal or rathu kakulu haal for its neutral flavour and cooking qualities.

Preparation

The rice is cooked in

sesame seeds or cashew. Kiribath is commonly compressed and cut into diamond or square shaped blocks before serving.[6]

Consumption

Kiribath is usually served with

bananas.[12]

Although served onto the plate with a spoon, kiribath is traditionally eaten by hand to mix with the lunumiris.[13]

Variations

There are variations of kiribath including:

Mung kiribath

Mung kiribath (Sinhala: මුං කිරිබත්) is a variation of Kiribath is made by adding boiled green gram to the milk rice. The same recipe and procedure can be followed to make this variation. It is often prepared in Buddhist temples.[6]

Imbul kiribath

Imbul kiribath (Sinhala: ඉඹුල් කිරිබත්) is a sweet variation of the original. It is made by taking a small amount of milk rice, made in the regular process, and spreading it on a banana leaf. A sweet filling made of coconut and jaggery, called Pani pol, is placed in the center. The banana leaf is folded and rolled vertically and pressed firm giving it its unusual cylindrical shape.[6][12]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Sri Lanka: Food & Tropical Fruits". lankalibrary.com. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
  2. ^ "Culture of SRI LANKA". everyculture.com. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
  3. ^ a b "Milk Rice (Kiribath) – A Sri Lankan Tradition". A Hazelnut For My Gypsy Heart. Archived from the original on 2 June 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  4. ^ "Sinhalese New Year Festival". info.lk. Archived from the original on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
  5. ^ Jaufer, Aaysha (23 January 2017). "What Makes A Sri Lankan Meal So Distinctive?". Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i Ramesh, Nisha (16 February 2018). "SRI LANKA: KIRIBATH". 196 Flavors. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  7. ^ a b c d "Easy to make Milk Rice (Kiribath) in a rice cooker". Ammis Kitchen. 4 September 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  8. ISBN 9780313350665
    .
  9. ^ Wijesiri, Lionel. "Preserving Avurudu traditions, a prime responsibility". Daily news. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  10. ^ Van Daele, Wim. "The meaning of culture-specific food: rice and its webs of significance in Sri Lanka" (PDF). Journal of Applied Anthropology: 292–304. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  11. ISBN 9781407081342
    .
  12. ^ a b "Everything You Need to Know About Sri Lankan Kiribath". THE FOODIE MILES. 18 July 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  13. ^ "How to make Kiribath (Sri Lankan Milk Rice)". Island smile. 3 January 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2018.

External links

Wikibooks Cookbook has a recipe/module on
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