Delicious String Hoppers: A Step-by-Step Guide

 

Idiyappa and Pol Sambola: A Match Made in Culinary Heaven

String Hoppers, also known as Idiyappam, is a popular Sri Lankan dish that is loved for its delicate texture and versatile nature. Made from white rice flour, this recipe is easy to prepare and pairs perfectly with spicy coconut sambol and various curries. Let's dive into the ingredients and step-by-step process to create this delightful meal:

Ingredients:

• 10 tbsp. White Rice Flour
• Salt (to taste)
• Water

Let's get started on making your very own batch of String Hoppers!

Step 1: Begin by placing the white rice flour into a mixing bowl. Add a pinch of salt and thoroughly mix them together. Gradually add water, little by little, and continue mixing until you achieve a smooth and soft dough consistency.

Step 2: Now, it's time to transform the dough into the classic string hopper shape. Utilize a string hopper machine/maker, which is readily available in Sri Lankan grocery stores and some supermarkets. Splash the mixture onto the string hopper trays, forming thin, noodle-like strands.

Step 3: Boil 1-2 liters of water and steam the string hopper mixture until it cooks well and becomes tender.

To elevate your string hopper experience, serve this delightful meal with spicy coconut sambol and a selection of delicious curries such as potato curry, chicken curry, baby jackfruit curry, sprats curry, and more.

For this recipe, I used store-bought white rice flour. However, many individuals prefer using homemade white rice flour. If you opt for homemade rice flour, remember to use lukewarm water instead of cold water when mixing the string hopper mixture.

Now, let's explore how to prepare a mouthwatering coconut sambol (Pol Sambola) that perfectly complements the string hoppers:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Scraped Coconut
• 5 Red Onions
• 2 tbsp. Chili Flakes
• ½ of a Lemon
• 1 tsp Pepper Powder
• Some Maldives Fish pieces
• Salt (to taste)

Step 1: In a mortar, combine the chili flakes, red onions, pepper powder, Maldives fish pieces, and salt. Thoroughly chop the ingredients together. Finally, add the scraped coconut and continue chopping until well incorporated. (Alternatively, a grinder can be used for this step.)

Step 2: Transfer the coconut mixture into a bowl. Add salt to taste and squeeze in the juice of half a lemon. Mix all the ingredients together, and voila! Your spicy coconut sambol is ready to tantalize your taste buds.

Serve the string hoppers with a generous helping of the spicy coconut sambol, and savor the delightful flavors of this Sri Lankan classic.

Enjoy the aromatic blend of soft string hoppers, spicy coconut sambol, and a variety of curries. Experience the authentic taste of Sri Lanka right in your own kitchen. Bon appétit!