Homemade food always tastes better. There is just something about it that simply cannot be compared to the typical restaurant experience. It maybe to do with the love that goes into preparing the food or the method in which the food is made, which we call athe huruwa. Either way, the combination works and the experience is a fabulous one.
My review this week centres around Mama Aida’s Catering. I can recall my mum purchasing Mamouls when we would drive through Kynsey Road after school. Mamouls are these yummy little butter shortcakes stuffed with dates or cashew nuts. Last week when I tried these yummy treats, after over a decade, it tasted just the same and I was instantly transported back in time.
Mama Aida herself arrived in Sri Lanka from Lebanon in 1946. She was given in marriage to a Yemeni living in Sri Lanka – Amin Suby and once she got to Sri Lanka she never really looked back. “I just love Sri Lanka… I love it,” 85 year old Aida said chirpily.
Mama Aida was 65 years old when she decided to take a sample of her homemade Pita Bread to a supermarket in Colombo and from there, as they say, the rest is history. She would cater for dinner parties and provide readymade Pita Bread to supermarkets and eventually her daughter Najah joined her and they started a little restaurant down Kynsey Road simply titled Mama Aida’s. Najah and her family moved to the UK and the restaurant closed down but Mama Aida’s famous Pita Bread continued to be in the market.
Aida’s granddaughter, Amrita De Saram came back to Sri Lanka a year ago knowing that she would start a business which involved food. With the help and guidance of her Theata (grandmother) and mum she has given a new lease of life to Mama Aida’s Catering.
Maintaining the same recipes that her Theata has used lovingly over the years she too has mastered the art of these fine dishes, with just the aroma and the feel of the food. “I know all the recipes,” Amrita says adding, “They are like soul food to us as our lives revolve around food.”
Amrita and her mum Najah prepared some delicious dishes for us which started off with one of my favourites, Hummus, with freshly made Pita Bread along with juicy Beef Kaftas and Tabbuleh, which is a parsley salad with tomatoes, fresh mint, spring onion and cracked wheat topped with a lemon juice and olive oil dressing. The combination of the three with fresh Pita Bread was just fabulous.
The main course was that of Wara Eneb, Batata Mehshi, Aden Curry and Lebanese Rice. Wara Eneb is an interesting dish made with minced beef, rice and onions as well as herbs and spices stuffed in vine leaves. This was the first time I had tried this Middle Eastern delicacy and I can tell you I will try it out again!
Batata Mehshi is minced beef stuffed into little potatoes and served in a spiced tomato sauce while the Prawn Aden Curry is a delicious prawn curry flavoured with Middle Eastern spices – all this with traditional Lebanese Rice (Basmati rice cooked with fried vermicelli noodles).
The combination of all the dishes had a burst of subtle flavours in my mouth. I was stuffed but as always I had room for some Baklawa.
These sinfully sugary treats are made with cashew nuts stuffed into filo pastry and soaked in sugar syrup.
When you glace through Mama Aida’s menu, the prices may seem startling but it is not as pricey as you might think. The portions are generally more than enough for six people and the quality is well worth the price you pay.
They take on delivery as well as take away orders and the food can be served in dishes when picked up therefore making them ready for the table! Mama Aida’s Catering will be at the Good Market soon, so do look out for them.
And remember, if you have a craving for Lebanese food or want to impress your guests and transports them through their taste-buds to the Middle East, then give Mama Aida’s a try!
Address: 193/5, Model Farm Road, Colombo 8
Tel: 077-700-5808
By Natasha Fernandopulle
Pic by Kanishke Ganewatte
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0 Comments
Rasanga Fernando says:
Aug 14, 2013 at 12:00 amI love Baklava.. tastes so delicious.. thanks im gonna try this soon.. n never thought that Sri Lanka have authentic Lebanese food.. yeppiii.. cant wait till i try.. :))
Pita Lover says:
Aug 14, 2013 at 12:00 amIt's great to be able to put a face to the lady behind the frozen pita bread that is so convenient and healthful at the same time. I can't count the number of meals I've pulled together using your pita bread as the base, first whilst balancing studies and work and then as a newlywed working person. Thank you Mama Aida for sharing your heritage and helping the busy bee at the same time.
Natasha says:
Aug 14, 2013 at 12:00 amHi Rasanga, Yes, do try it out! It is so delicious!! The last time I had Baklawa was when it was made by an Armenian friend of mine living in the US.
Siham Ameer says:
Aug 15, 2013 at 12:00 amMama Aide's is the BEST. Absolutely authentic Lebanese food. I crave for it all the time. Obviously as I was brought up on it . Mama Aide is my Darling Mum. Amrita has the flair. She will do justice to her Thetha's legacy.
Waffa Al Ayad Zanoon says:
Aug 15, 2013 at 12:00 amI have tasted her food more than 35 years ago and the taste still lingers in my mouth, seeing these pictures makes my mouth water! good luck to Najah and her daughter! being in the catering business in toronto i know what it takes to deliver good food and maintaining quality. good luck once again
Ramji Sharma says:
Aug 19, 2013 at 12:00 amYou guys are on Tasty.lk, http://www.tasty.lk/colombo/mama-aidas
Imran Casseer says:
Aug 21, 2013 at 12:00 ami never had tried Baklava till Rasanga Fernando (friend in office) maked it... thanks to this article we had some good tasty foods... and we will follow this type of eye filling food dishes. as Natasha said really is so delicious and look nice. keep it up.
Natasha says:
Aug 21, 2013 at 12:00 amThanks Imran!!
Devika says:
Aug 31, 2013 at 12:00 amHi Aunty - Do you remember me? I am Devika Siham and Premilla's friend. I remember eating delicious meals at Gregory's Road and Conniston Place, when we lived in Sri Lanka. Your food was always so yummy. Keep well and happy.