Dates were the key to making a mix that I could actually shape into balls that held together.
No Patience for the Mortar and Pestle
I’m grateful for modern kitchen appliances. Not sure I’d have the patience to pound this with mortar and pestle!
Managed to Not Over-Toast
I think I managed not to over-toast the sesame seeds (and coconut) this time. Woot.
Jaggery
Ground is far more convenient for cooking, but I admit, there’s something nostalgic about hacking silvers off the dark, hard hemispheres.
Liking Shef Robinson Varghese’s Kerala Cooking
Quick note for locals that I’m really liking Shef Robinson Varghese’s Kerala cooking — I had his idli-sambar for breakfast today, and it was so good. Honestly better than any restaurant idli I’ve had, I think, with great sourness of flavor, and so much better than frozen. Everything I’ve had from his kitchen I’ve really liked so far.
$7.99 for 4 idli + a good amount of sambar. I tend to eat small meals, so that’s two breakfasts’ worth of food for me; great deal. (His photo below, not mine!)
https://shef.com/order/shef/robinson-v
Fabulous Sales
We’re having fabulous sales all month to celebrate the one-year anniversary of my Sri Lankan cookbook’s launch.
Today’s flash sale — 25% all editions — hardcover, paperback, ebook. I am, of course, delighted to sign the print editions if you’d like! You should also feel free to order tea towels, masks, homemade Sri Lankan curry powder (US-only), or other goodies while you’re on the site. 
. Porch pick-up definitely available for locals….
https://serendib-kitchen.myshopify.com
Rescheduling the Roti-Making Class, Slots Still Open
Hello, everyone — unfortunately, we’ve had to reschedule tomorrow’s Roti-Making class with Pooja Makhijani so it will now take place on 5/1. Anyone who has filled out the form is still registered for the new date.
Apologies for the late notice; we look forward to seeing you all in May! (There are still some slots open, but not many, for those who’d like to join us.)
A Wacky Giveaway Idea
GIVEAWAY: I had this wacky idea that I would manage to do 31 days of Feast March festivities to celebrate the one year birthday of my cookbook, esp. since the whole book tour, etc. got cancelled last March due to pandemic (worst timing of a book launch ever? I think yes).
But of course, it’s now something like 8 minutes to midnight, and I haven’t actually had the willpower to put together a graphic or a PLAN or anything, maybe tomorrow, but in the meantime, let’s call this a surprise last-minute giveaway post, and I will have gotten it in on the first day of March just barely. Just barely is more than good enough, I say, especially after a year of pandemic.
If you’d like to be entered for a free hardcover copy of Feast to be shipped to your door (or the door of your choosing), comment below. If you add in your favorite South Asian dish (or tell me that you have never actually tasted South Asian food, the sorrow!), I will enter you twice!
Whenever I wake up tomorrow (probably around 7 a.m. CST), the contest will close, and I will use a randomizer to pick a lucky recipient. So this is for all the night owls out there (and the people in other countries who are just in the middle of their workday, I suppose)….
GIVEAWAY! Comment below to enter. (And if you don’t win this one, keep watching this space — there will be more giveaways in March!)
(Likes and shares also very much appreciated for visibility!)
9:51 a.m. update — giveaway is closed! Stay tuned for the next one!
Celebrating Feast’s First Birthday
REMINDER: To celebrate the one-year book birthday for A Feast of Serendib: a Sri Lankan cookbook, we’ll be offering a free roti-making class with food writer Pooja Makhijani and cookbook author Mary Anne Mohanraj. We will email a Zoom link in advance.
Please note that we’ll be recording the class and putting it up online afterward, so registering also constitutes consent to be recorded.
More information on the class and sign-up form, in the “About” section on the Facebook Event page. Registration is limited to 25 attendees.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
In celebration, and to help us get through this cold, snowy February in Chicago, we’ve decided to do our FIRST EVER BIG SALE today at Serendib House — everything in the Serendib shop is 20% off!
That’s cookbooks, curry powder, other books (sci fi, lit fic, and romance), tea towels, masks, greeting cards, and more.
The site still has list prices on items, but you’ll see the 20% discount in your cart. Today and tomorrow only — enjoy!
