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Kiri kos
කිරි කොස් (kiri kos): mature jackfruit simmered in thick coconut milk with turmeric, pandan and green chilli
Kiri kos, 'milk jackfruit', is a mild white curry from the villages of Sri Lanka's wet zone, cooked when the jackfruit is mature but not yet sweet, and often served at lunch or at almsgivings beside red rice and a spicy sambol. The yellow bulbs are simmered with turmeric, pandan, cinnamon and green chilli in thin coconut milk until tender, then finished with thick milk so the curry is creamy and soothing. The usual mistake is using ripe, sweet jackfruit, which turns to jam; ask for mature 'kos' with firm, pale bulbs, or use tinned young jackfruit in brine. Chef's tip: oil your knife and hands before cutting fresh jackfruit so the sticky latex wipes off easily.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 1 ⅓ lb mature unripe jackfruit bulbs (or tinned young jackfruit, drained)seeds removed, bulbs halved
- 1 red onionsliced
- 3 cloves garlicsliced
- 3 green chilliesslit
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- 2 in pandan leaf
- 1 ⅛ in cinnamon stick
- ½ tsp fenugreek seeds
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 ¾ cups thin coconut milk
- ¾ cup thick coconut milk
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Method
0/3 doneStep 1: Put 1 ⅓ lb mature unripe jackfruit bulbs (or tinned young jackfruit, drained), 1 red onion, 3 cloves garlic, 3 green chillies, 1 sprig curry leaves, 2 in pandan leaf, 1 ⅛ in cinnamon stick, ½ tsp fenugreek seeds, ½ tsp ground turmeric and 1 tsp salt in a clay pot or heavy pan.
3 minStep 2: Pour in 1 ¾ cups thin coconut milk, bring to a gentle simmer over a medium heat and cook uncovered for 15–18 minutes, stirring now and then, until the jackfruit is tender and a spoon cuts through it.
18 minStep 3: Add ¾ cup thick coconut milk and heat for 3 minutes, stirring, without letting it boil hard, until the gravy is thick and creamy. Taste for salt and serve with rice.
3 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 330 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 38 g
- Fat
- 20 g
- Fibre
- 6 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does kiri kos take?
- About 45 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of red onion?
- White onion or shallots, same amount (soak raw onion in cold water for 10 minutes to soften it).
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
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