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Leeks thel dala
ලීක්ස් තෙල් දාලා (leeks thel dala): Nuwara Eliya leeks stir-fried with onion, mustard seed, garlic and chilli flakes
Up in the cool air of Nuwara Eliya, where carrots, cabbages and leeks grow on terraced slopes and are piled high on lorries heading down to the lowland markets, leeks are cooked the Sri Lankan way: fast and hot, with chilli. This thel dala, meaning tossed in oil, is a dry stir-fry of sliced leeks, red onion and garlic with crackling mustard seeds, curry leaves, turmeric and chilli flakes, ready in minutes and served on the rice and curry plate as a crunchy, sweet-hot side. Plenty of home cooks add a handful of Maldive fish or tiny dried sprats; this vegan version is just as moreish without them. Gritty leeks spoil the dish, so wash them after slicing, not before, when the soil hiding between the layers can float out. Chef's tip: stop cooking while the leeks still have a little bite and bright green colour; they keep softening in the hot pan.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the stir-fry
- 1 ⅛ lb leekstrimmed, halved lengthways, sliced 1 cm thick, washed and drained well
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 /2 tsp black mustard seeds
- 1 sprig curry leavesleaves picked
- 1 red onionsliced
- 3 cloves garlicsliced
- 1 green chilli (optional)sliced
- 1 /4 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp dried chilli flakes
- 1 /2 tsp salt
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat 2 tbsp coconut oil in a wok over a medium-high heat, add 1 /2 tsp black mustard seeds and, once it pops, 1 sprig curry leaves.
1 minStep 2: Add 1 red onion, 3 cloves garlic and 1 green chilli and stir-fry for 2 minutes until the onion softens.
2 minStep 3: Sprinkle in 1 /4 tsp ground turmeric and 1 tsp dried chilli flakes and stir for 30 seconds.
1 minStep 5: Taste for salt and serve hot with rice and curry.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 110 kcal
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbs
- 12 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does leeks thel dala take?
- About 20 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 10 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 leeks?
- 1 onion per leek.
- What can I use instead of black mustard seeds?
- Cumin seeds, same amount (different flavour, same crackle).
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