Malu Miris Theldala is a traditional Sri Lankan dish that features spiced and fried green chili peppers. It is a popular accompaniment or side dish that adds a spicy kick to any meal.
To prepare Malu Miris Theldala, start by selecting fresh and green chili peppers. Slit the chili peppers lengthwise, leaving them intact at the stem end. Be careful while handling the chili peppers, as they can be quite hot.
Next, prepare the spice mixture by combining ingredients like chili powder, turmeric powder, roasted curry powder, salt, and a pinch of sugar. Adjust the spice levels according to your preference.
Heat oil in a pan or wok over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and allow them to splutter. Then, add finely chopped onions, garlic, and curry leaves to the pan. Sauté until the onions turn translucent and the mixture becomes aromatic.
Now, add the prepared spice mixture to the pan and stir well to coat the onions and garlic with the spices. Cook for a minute or two to release the flavors of the spices.
Carefully add the slit green chili peppers to the pan and mix them with the spiced onion mixture. Ensure that the chili peppers are well coated with the spices. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pan. Allow the chili peppers to cook for a few minutes until they become tender.
Once the chili peppers are cooked, remove the lid and increase the heat to medium-high. Stir-fry the chili peppers for a couple of minutes until they turn slightly charred and blistered.
Serve Malu Miris Theldala as a side dish or accompaniment to rice, roti (Indian bread), or any other main dish. The spicy and tangy flavors of the dish complement various Sri Lankan and South Asian meals.
Note: Malu Miris Theldala is a spicy dish, so adjust the amount of chili peppers and spices according to your spice tolerance. Be cautious while handling and consuming the chili peppers, as they can be extremely hot.
