How to make Vibara, a traditional sweet from Sri Lankan history
This is a sweet from Sri Lankan history that most people have not heard about or tried. It is called Vibara and it originates from the Southern Province. In this recipe, we will be making it 2 ways, the traditional way and my Mom's special way.
It is very traditional to make this for the Sri Lankan New Year. Many people say it is similar to Murruku but this is more of a sweet than savory.
We're making 2 colors of Vibara, both Yellow and Red. We're not adding any type of artificial colors and only using the colors Nature provided us.
If you like these type of old traditional sweets from Sri Lankan history, you will want to try my Laalu or Yakpati recipes.
Ingredients
- 300g of Rice Flour
- 200ml of Thick Coconut Milk
- Salt
- 1 Egg
- Turmeric Powder (only needed if the Rice Flour does not become a golden color while heating)
- Sesame Seeds (optional)
- 125g of Sugar
Instructions
For the Vibara
- Add 200ml of thick Coconut Milk into another bowl.
- Add Salt to taste.
- Add 1 Egg.
- Whisk everything together thoroughly.
- Heat 300g of Rice Flour in a saucepan and then add it into a bowl.
- Add the Coconut Milk mixture into the bowl, a little at a time, while mixing and forming the dough.
- Add some Turmeric Powder and mix thoroughly if the dough is not a golden color.
- Add some Sesame Seeds (optional).
- Mix thoroughly until you get a thick dough consistency similar to the Murukku dough.
- Add the dough into the String Hopper Maker with a Star Attachment.
- Rub some Coconut Oil on a Banana Leaf (or plastic wrap) and press the dough into it in 3 straight lines using the String Hopper Maker.
- Then roll each of the lines and join all 3 lines in the middle.
- Place this Vibara on a large ladle and then deep fry it.
- When it is fried a little, release it from the ladle.
- Keep frying it half way through.
- Then add the Vibara into some paper towels so any excess Oil is absorbed.
- Now store the Vibara in an airtight container for about 3 to 4 days (a week is even better).
- After storage and you're ready to serve, fry it again.
For the Yellow Vibara
- Heat 1 cup of Water into a saucepan.
- Add 125g of Sugar.
- Stir fre quently until the Sugar has melted.
- Add some Turmeric Powder and stir frequently.
- When this Syrup starts boiling, turn off the stove and let the Syrup cool down.
- Pour this syrup over the Vibara.
For the Red Vibara
- Blend 1 Beetroot.
- Squeeze the juice from the pulp of the blended Beetroot over a strainer into a bowl.
- Heat 1 cup of Water into a saucepan.
- Add 125g of Sugar.
- Stir frequently until the Sugar has melted.
- Add the juice from the blended Beetroot.
- When this Syrup starts boiling, turn off the stove and let the Syrup cool down.
- Pour this syrup over the Vibara.
Photos
