Food Raconteur
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Food, Fusion, Tales. Fusion cuisine, Private dining, Private chef. Cooking Lessons and Workshops, Me
Meet Lamprais, the Sri Lankan culinary masterpiece that's like a cozy food hug wrapped in a banana leaf! With a backstory as rich as its flavor, this dish was crafted by the Dutch Burgher community, drawing inspiration from a 17th-century Dutch-Indonesian delight called lemper. ![]()
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The name "lamprais" is a quirky English twist on the Dutch "lomprijst," meaning "packet of food and what a delicious package it is! ![]()
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Picture short-grain rice soaking up savory stock, accompanied by a meaty medley of curry (beef, pork, and chicken, oh my!). But that’s not all, folks! The traditional lineup also boasts Dutch-style frikkadels (meatballs that mean business), seeni sambol (onion relish that's caramelized bliss), and brinjal moju (eggplant pickle with a punch). And for a little extra zing, there's a splash of blachan (shrimp paste), if you're feeling adventurous.![]()
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Lamprais is a tasty time capsule from Sri Lanka’s Dutch colonial days, proudly waving the flag of Dutch Burgher cuisine!![]()
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#srilankanfood #srilanka #foodie #srilankan #food #srilankatravel #foodphotography #srilankadaily #foodporn #colombo #srilankatrip #srilankanfoodie #srilankancuisine #instafood #foodstagram #srilankadiaries #riceandcurry #srilankatourism #foodblogger #srilankatoday #srilankangirl #srilankanstyle #travel #foodlover #homemade #visitsrilanka #srilankanfoodblogger #lankanfood #lanka #lunch
Our friendly neighbor, Lisa, introduced us to Michael Bobroff, a distinguished labor lawyer known for his expertise and dedication. They were organizing a heartfelt reunion for 15 graduates of the 1963 Ladue High School class, a gathering steeped in nostalgia and shared history. ![]()
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As active supporters of Ladue High School, we felt a deep connection to the event, especially since Ritwik is also an alumnus, adding a personal touch to the occasion.![]()
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Wendy graciously opened her home for the evening, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that set the tone for a memorable night. ![]()
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Her hospitality was complemented by Emilee's pivotal role in organizing the event. Emilee charmed everyone with her kindness and grace, ensuring that every detail was thoughtfully arranged and that the evening flowed seamlessly.![]()
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The reunion was a heartwarming experience, filled with laughter and memories as old friends reconnected. It was delightful to witness the camaraderie and enduring friendships among the attendees, who were genuinely engaged listeners. The evening was elevated by a delectable array of appetizers and a sumptuous dinner, which perfectly complemented the shared stories and cherished memories of their school days. ![]()
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The reunion menu was made up of; ![]()
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* Petite Italian Meatballs With Tomato Basil Marinara![]()
* Marinated Shrimp Skewers With Remoulade Sauce ![]()
* Chilli Lime Salmon Satay ![]()
* Moroccan Fennel Orange Salad ![]()
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[Entrees] ![]()
* Chicken Biryani ![]()
* Lamb Korma With Nuts![]()
* Garlic Naan![]()
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Thank you for having us Michael and Wendy! And thank you even more for the kind words, we aim to please! 😉😉😉![]()
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“Thank you for the wonderful photos and all your efforts in making the reunion such a success! You did a truly professional job, from organizing the event to entertaining everyone with your captivating stories. Everything was excellent, especially the appetizers, which were a highlight of the evening. Wendy was particularly impressed with how tidy you left her kitchen, reflecting your attention to detail and respect for her hospitality.” ![]()
-Michael Bobroff
Some fun chat in front of camera . A debut effort .. thanks Icover team . @rana.jchaj @nishant.patro @theicoverpodcast @icoverdirect @_hari__srinivasan . Just survived the autopsy of my debut podcast 🙂
Meet Kiribath, the Sri Lankan superstar that turns rice into a creamy coconut dream! A mainstay at celebrations and breakfast tables, its name says it all: "kiri" for milk and "bath" for rice, making a match made in culinary heaven.![]()
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How do you whip up this creamy wonder? Cook rice in salted coconut milk until it’s as soft and cozy as a porridge pillow. Fancy it up with pandan leaves, sesame seeds, or cashews.![]()
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Shaped into fancy diamonds or squares, it’s a prosperity charm on a plate! Dive in with spicy Lunu miris (a feisty red onion and chili sidekick) or sweeten the deal with jaggery.![]()
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Steeped in tradition, Kiribath's roots run deep. Legend whispers that Sujata, a farmer's wife, served it to Gautama Buddha as he meditated under the bodhi tree, just before his big enlightenment moment. A dish with a tale, this one’s got history and flavor all rolled into one!![]()
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#srilankanfood #srilanka #foodie #srilankan #food #srilankatravel #foodphotography #srilankadaily #foodporn #colombo #srilankatrip #srilankanfoodie #srilankancuisine #instafood #foodstagram #srilankadiaries #riceandcurry #srilankatourism #foodblogger #srilankatoday #srilankanstyle #travel #foodlover #homemade #visitsrilanka #srilankanfoodblogger #lankanfood #lanka #lunch
Nestled in the charming town of New Haven, Missouri, lies a stunning house that exudes warmth and elegance. It's not just the house that's captivating, but also the lovely family that calls it home. Today, we're shining a spotlight on Tara's spectacular home that served as the perfect setting for a truly special occasion: her mother-in-law's 70th birthday celebrations🥳![]()
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Despite encountering some challenging situations, we were determined to join this delightful event and celebrate such a significant milestone with the family. And as fate would have it, everything balanced out and we made it after all!![]()
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On getting there we found ourselves in a beautifully designed kitchen that made me catch my breath for a minute😄 so you can imagine the absolute pleasure we took in the experience of preparing dinner and making it special for the 70-year-young lady.![]()
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The big 70th birthday menu was made up of; ![]()
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**Starters:**![]()
- Mini Crab Cakes with Lemon Aioli![]()
- Cucumber Rounds with Smoked Salmon and Dill Crème Fraîche![]()
- Lobster Salad Lettuce Cups![]()
- Seared Scallops on Edible Spoons with Parsley Dust and Edible Flowers![]()
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- **Main Course:**![]()
- Pan-Seared Filet Mignon with Cognac Peppercorn Sauce![]()
- Butter-Poached Lobster Tail with Tarragon-Lemon Butter![]()
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- **Sides:**![]()
- Haricots Verts with Lemon Zest![]()
- Herb-Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes![]()
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- **Dessert:**![]()
- New York Cheesecake with Sauces![]()
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Thank you, Tara, for this wonderful opportunity! We had such a wonderful time🥂
"Sri Lankan egg hoppers are like a pancake with a twist…think crispy, bowl-shaped wonders made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk! Their secret weapon? A mix of rice flour, coconut milk, yeast, sugar, and a splash of fizzy water for that extra fluff. Crack an egg in the middle while cooking, and voila…a yolky center just begging for a dip! ![]()
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Cooked in a special "hopper pan" or "appachatti," these breakfast delights boast crispy edges and a soft, spongy base where the egg lies cocconed. Although they're breakfast royalty in Sri Lanka, these tasty treats are welcome anytime, served with coconut sambol, seeni sambol (a sweet and spicy onion relish), and curries. ![]()
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Egg hoppers are a beloved part of Sri Lankan culinary tradition, shared with South Indian states where they're called appam. Dig in and taste the heritage!![]()
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Bonus: thanks to rice flour, they're gluten-free!"![]()
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#srilankanfood #srilanka #foodie #srilankan #food #srilankatravel #foodphotography #srilankadaily #foodporn #colombo #srilankatrip #srilankanfoodie #srilankancuisine #instafood #foodstagram #srilankadiaries #riceandcurry #srilankatourism #foodblogger #srilankatoday #srilankangirl #srilankanstyle #travel #foodlover #homemade #visitsrilanka #srilankanfoodblogger #lankanfood #lanka #lunch
In my adventures as a private chef, I've picked up a few nuggets of wisdom that have made things a bit smoother for me!![]()
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These little tidbits might add a dash of magic to your own journey—or maybe not—but I hope you enjoy the insights I've cooked up along the way!👨🍳👨🍳#privatechefr#cheflife #chefl#foodiee#catering #personalchefr#foodporn #foodp#instafood##chefsofinstagramf#foodphotographyh#caterery#foodstagramo#cookingm#mealprep #delicious##travelingchefv#yummyh#privatediningv#foodbloggero#dinnere#foodlover##cateringservicei#celebritychefe#healthyfoode#finediningf#stlmadeg#seafoode#stlfoodd#ᴇxᴘʟᴏʀᴇᴘᴀɢᴇxᴘʟᴏʀᴇᴘᴀɢᴇ
Sometimes, just chatting with someone for the first time is like flipping through their personality scrapbook. ![]()
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Classy, elegant, perfectionist, artistic, gentle, warm, passionate, and undeniably intelligent—these qualities perfectly encapsulate Scarlett Foster the first time I spoke to her. ![]()
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Once again I must mention that the power of references is truly magical; we had previously organized an event for Cynthia Martin, who graciously referred us to Scarlett. ![]()
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Turns out , Scarlett envisioned an elegant dinner for her friends from New York and Washington, D.C., infused with a touch of New Orleans charm.![]()
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She meticulously planned every detail of the evening, and we were delighted to create a New Orleans-inspired menu in her beautiful hundred-year-old home in University City. The synergy between the house and Scarlett's personality was undeniable, as if the house was custom-made for her, or perhaps the other way around😄😄![]()
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I could easily write a hundred-pages about each item, the craftsmanship, the elegance, and the ambiance they conveyed. Emilee and I were genuinely amazed with how Scarlett managed to preserve the original character of her home.![]()
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So you see, the menu could not disappoint and we didn’t!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽![]()
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We laid out a beautiful spread made up of; ![]()
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* Mini Crab Beignets with Remoulade Aioli![]()
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* Smoked Duck Crostini with Fig Jam and Thyme![]()
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[Followed by a 5 course menu]![]()
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* Corn and Leek Soup with Smoked Paprika Oil![]()
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* Seared Scallops with Saffron Beurre Blanc![]()
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* Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Tart![]()
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* Grilled Lamb Chops with Gumbo Jus![]()
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* Olive Oil Cake with Citrus Compote![]()
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Our wine suggestions were the cherry on top, the setup was stunning, and the weather? Absolutely delightful.![]()
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The guests were over the moon, and Scarlett? She was the maestro of wines and china, lifting the evening to cloud nine. The beignets, lamb, and Emilee's divine olive oil cake were the stuff of legends.![]()
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What an absolutely delightful memory! Thanks, Scarlett, for letting us be part of it. So glad you and your guests had a blast. Big shoutout to Emilee for that legendary olive oil lemon cake! 🌟
Sri Lankan Kukul Mas Curry is a symphony of flavors, blending rich, spicy, and aromatic notes into a traditional chicken dish that’s the stuff of culinary dreams! With spices dry-roasted to perfection and coconut milk providing a creamy hug, this dish is a flavor bomb. ![]()
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Kukul Mas means "chicken meat" in Sinhalese, and its saucy partner, "kari (or curry)," hails from the Tamil term for sauce. The star of this show? A homemade, dry-roasted curry powder that brings a smoky, earthy vibe, making other curries green with envy.![]()
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This curry juggles the fiery kick of chilies and black pepper, all while soothing your taste buds with coconut milk and adding a tangy punch from tomatoes or tamarind paste. It's a beloved staple in Sri Lankan cuisine, served piping hot with trusty sidekicks like rice, roti, or string hoppers.![]()
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Beyond being a household favorite, Kukul Mas Curry is the ultimate comfort food and a hospitality hero, always stealing the spotlight at family gatherings and celebrations.![]()
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#srilankanfood #srilanka #foodie #srilankan #food #srilankatravel #foodphotography #srilankadaily #foodporn #colombo #srilankatrip #srilankanfoodie #srilankancuisine #instafood #foodstagram #srilankadiaries #riceandcurry #srilankatourism #foodblogger #srilankatoday #srilankangirl #srilankanstyle #travel #foodlover #homemade #visitsrilanka #srilankanfoodblogger #lankanfood #lanka #lunch