Green Tomato 'Paal' Curry

 

This is a simple பால் (paal), or milk curry, cooked the way it has been made in many Sri Lankan homes for generations. I learned this recipe from my mother-in-law, whose cooking always comes from the heart. She taught me patiently, and when she cooks, even the simplest meal feels special. This is one of the dishes she passed down to me, and it is still cooked the same way in my kitchen today.

Back at her home in Jaffna, she uses freshly squeezed coconut milk. I do the same whenever I can. On busy days, I reach for canned coconut milk, choosing a thick, creamy one that gives the curry a soft, velvety finish—just the way a good paal curry should be.

A small pinch of black pepper brings a gentle warmth, while green tomatoes add their natural tang. There is no heavy spicing here—just a few ingredients coming together quietly, letting the coconut milk do most of the work.

Green Tomatos from my garden

Ingredients

• 6 medium green tomatoes, cut into chunks

• ½ medium red onion, chopped

• ⅓ tsp turmeric

• ⅔ tsp cumin seeds

• ½ a tsp of cummin powder

• A pinch of black pepper

• 1 cup water

• ½ cup coconut milk

• ⅔ tsp salt (adjust at the end)

• 2 small green chillies

• A handful of curry leaves (8–12)

Method

1. Put the tomatoes, onion, spices, chillies, curry leaves, salt, and water into a pan.

2. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then cover and let it simmer.

3. When the tomatoes are very soft (about 10 minutes), gently mash them with the back of a spoon.

4. Pour in the coconut milk and bring it back to a gentle boil.

5. Remove from the heat and serve warm.

To Serve

Best eaten with plain rice, a simple dhal, and something crisp on the side. This is everyday food—quiet, comforting, and made to be shared.

A Note on Love and Memory

This paal curry is tangy, gently spiced, and softened by milk—the kind of comfort food our loved ones leave behind without ever writing it down. Long after our loved ones are gone, these flavours remain. In cooking, we remember their hands, their patience, and the quiet care poured into everyday meals. Each time this curry simmers on the stove, it carries their presence—unspoken, familiar, and warm.

Food becomes a way of holding on. Through these simple dishes, their legacy lives within us and slowly passes into the hands of the next generation. What we cook today becomes memory tomorrow, and in that way, love continues—shared, tasted, and remembered.