Sri Lankan Ingredients in Australia

A pantry-by-pantry guide to tracking down the building blocks of authentic Ceylon cooking in Australia, plus the everyday swaps that keep the flavour close when the real thing isn't to hand.

• Coconut milk

  Coles and Woolworths stock full-fat tinned coconut milk (Ayam is a reliable brand). For frozen fresh coconut milk and coconut cream, hit a Sri Lankan or Indian grocer.

• Curry leaves

  Fresh curry leaves are sold at Indian and Sri Lankan grocers and many greengrocers. They also grow well in Australian backyards; a potted plant pays for itself fast. Freeze the surplus.

• Goraka

  Sri Lankan grocers in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane stock dried goraka. Tamarind from any Asian grocer is the everyday substitute for that sour fish-curry note.

• Maldive fish

  Available at Sri Lankan grocers as Maldive fish flakes or chips. Store in the freezer. Dried shrimp or a dash of fish sauce works if you're stuck.

• Pandan (rampe)

  Frozen pandan leaves are at Asian grocers nationwide. In warmer states pandan grows outdoors. A knotted leaf in your rice pot is a small thing that makes a big difference.

• Sri Lankan curry powder

  MD and other Sri Lankan brands are in Tamil and Sri Lankan grocers. Don't swap in supermarket "curry powder"; roast your own dark powder instead for the real toasty flavour.

• Red rice

  Sri Lankan red rice and nadu rice are stocked by Sri Lankan grocers. Otherwise red rice blends from Coles/Woolworths or sona masoori are decent stand-ins.