The WI may be known for its cookery, but it’s unusual to see Sri Lankan flavours on other institutes’ programmes. We’re very lucky to have Dee Morrow, of Dee Spice, based just down the road from us in North Yorkshire – and more than happy to share her recipes, tips and amazing array of spices with us.
Dee cooked four dishes at our May meeting. While she worked, she told us about her background and her family links to Sri Lanka which inspired her business. As well as selling her spices at numerous events around the area, Dee offers cookery classes, dinner parties, tuition and, like us, demonstrations. She has a knack for keeping people entertained even while she’s working her culinary magic.
It was interesting to hear that Sri Lankan diets do not usually include both rice and breads in the same meal – that’s a fairly English way of doing things! But the dishes used many recognisable ingredients such as chick peas and spinach, and Dee had plenty of packs of spices available for anyone who wanted to try the recipes at home.
To ensure everyone could enjoy her dishes, Dee made all of them vegetarian and there was enough for everyone to try some of each. With varying levels of spice and a lot of great flavours, there were certainly no complaints!
May’s meeting was another busy one, with about 70 members and guests in the room. We’re also edging very close to our 100th member… Watch this space!
June’s meeting is a skill-sharing workshop. Members who went on our Development Weekend in April will be teaching everyone else how to do some of the things they learned, including making canapes, sugarcraft and more.