Jaffna Kool

27 July 2016

What : “Jaffna Kool”
Where : Home Sweet Home
Who : My Sister’s Kitchen

This week for WTF, I had less work to do. I just stayed at home. I got many requests after I did the Jaffna Fish Curry, for the very popular “Jaffna Kool” to be featured on WTF, and we did what you asked for!

The day started with me bugging my sister. With this being done in style, she made me work for it! I had to clean the house up and get to the Piliyandala Market to buy the ingredients.

I got,

Snake beans 250g
Greens (Mulai Keerai) 1 bunch
Jak fruit seeds 200g
Prawns 500g
Sea Crabs 500g
Fish 500g

The rest of the ingredients we had at home.

Chillie Powder 3 tbs
Tamarind paste 1 tb
Salt 1 tsp
Cooked rice 1 cup
Palmyrah flour 5 tbs

“Kool” has a story, and this is what was told to us when we were kids by our grandparents in Jaffna. It used to be the food for farmers. As they could not afford good food everyday, they used to make kool with all they had. Since the paddy field holds water, they used to catch small fish, crabs and prawns swimming by, and this goes into the dish and is eaten with some rice. As the seafood is considered heaty, they'd add palmyrah flour for a cooling balance! This was a very balanced diet, and that’s what got changed into this very satisfying Jaffna Dish today.

This is the method.

1. Boil 5 cups of water.
2. Add snake beans and Jak fruit seeds to cook.
3. Once cooked, add the greens and chillie powder.
4. Add salt and tamarind paste.
5. Add cuttlefish, crabs, fish and prawns.
6. Once the seafood is cooked, add the palmyrah flour. (Ensure that the palmyrah flour is soaked in water before adding to “Kool”)
7. Once the mixture thickens, remove from heat and serve hot.

My sister is a good cook, and she is the maker of these Jaffna dishes at home. I’m just the fridge who eats them!

Hope you will try it out at home!

Today on WTF

Hair and Make-up – Capello Salon
Transport Partner – Pick Me
Photographs and video by – Kings. Co
Outfit – Jump

Danu Innasithamby

Danu Innasithamby is proof that one person can survive on coffee, curiosity, and an unhealthy number of WhatsApp messages. A television host, actor, producer, writer, and professional chatterbox, he’s spent years turning conversations into stories and stories into memorable television. Born in Jaffna and proudly calling Sri Lanka home, Danu has built a career around asking the questions everyone else is thinking—but with a smile that usually gets him out of trouble. Whether he’s interviewing celebrities, hosting major events, judging competitions, or chasing the next great story, there’s never really a dull moment. When he’s not on screen, he’s busy supporting local talent, championing meaningful causes through Sri Lankan Smile, or convincing himself that “just one more project” is a perfectly reasonable life choice. Known for his humour, colourful suits, quick wit, and the ability to make almost anyone laugh, Danu believes life is best lived with good conversations, great food, and a healthy dose of sarcasm. If you spot him, don’t be surprised if you’re suddenly part of an interview… or at least a really entertaining conversation.