Red chilli sambal (Sri Lankan chilli chutney)

Sri Lankan food experience is something out of this world! Such a variety of food items that every day was a treat. Their favorite breakfast item is Kiribath (milk rice) which is served with red chilli sambal. And it was kiri bath and chilli sambal that our wonderful host served us on our first day in Sri Lanka. The red chilli chutney can be a side dish for many of our Indian dishes. Today we had it with semiya (vermicelli) upma.

Ingredients:

- 15 red chillies

- 1 tbsp of cut onion

- Sea salt to taste
- Juice of half a lemon (optional)

Instruction:

-          - Remove the stalk of the red chillies, cut into two or three pieces and lightly roast them. Soak in water for about 15 minutes.

-          - Grind the soaked, drained chili pieces. I used my grinding stone, but can be done in the blender too.

 - - The taste of course will be superior when grinding stone is used. It should be ground slightly rough, you should see some of the seeds intact.

-     - Add salt and cut onion and grind again. Serve with steamed rice or chapatis. Can be bottled and refrigerated for further use.