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recipe blog post features an image of sri lankan kale stir-fry in a white bowl

Kale Stir-Fry Recipe (Kale Mallung)

This Sri Lankan-style kale stir-fry combines fresh kale, coconut, curry leaves, and aromatic spices into a quick and flavorful side dish. Inspired by traditional mallung recipes,
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 3 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Sri Lankan
Calories: 105

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp cooking oil
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 1 sundried red chili pepper
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1/3 medium onion thinly sliced
  • 1 small pandan leaf optional
  • 1/2 bunch kale washed and thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup coconut grated
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 green chilies sliced
  • 1 tbsp Maldives fish flakes optional
  • pinch salt to taste
  • 1/2 lime juice

Method
 

  1. 1 tbsp cooking oil 1 sundried red chili pepper 1 tbsp cooking oil1 sprig curry leaves 1 garlic clove 1/3 medium onion 1 small pandan leaf 1/2 bunch kale 1 sundried red chili pepper 1 tsp cumin powder 1/2 tsp turmeric powder 1 tbsp Maldives fish flakes pinch salt 1/3 cup coconut 1 green chilies
  2. Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
  3. Add the dried red chilies, curry leaves, and minced garlic. Let them sizzle for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add the sliced onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
  5. Stir in the pandan leaf if using.
  6. Add the sliced kale and mix well.
  7. Sprinkle in the cumin powder, turmeric powder, Maldive fish flakes (if using), and a pinch of salt.
  8. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the kale begins to soften.
  9. Add the sliced green chilies and grated coconut.
  10. Mix everything together and continue cooking for another 2 minutes.
  11. Remove from the heat and squeeze over the lime juice.
  12. Taste and adjust the salt if needed. Serve warm with rice, curry, roti, or grilled proteins.