How do our food experts cook and eat? This week, food content creator, Nivanthi Wijerathna of @nivithelankangirl, takes our Q&A!

What’s your first memory of learning to cook?
When I was a kid, my family was running a family restaurant. So everyone in the family had to contribute to cooking prep. After waking in the morning, before going to School, I had to Scrape coconuts, maybe around 7-8 coconuts before running to School. It was about speed and patience to get a fine scrape. It was a karate kid-style practice, hard but it built me into who I am. 

Who was your greatest teacher who taught you how to cook?
My Mother was the teacher who nurtured my skills. Her coaching helped me to develop my imagination for creative dishes.

What’s the recipe that started Nivi The Lankan Girl?
After following so many Instagram profiles and enjoying cooking videos, one day I posted a lunch plate that I prepared. The comments by the fellow creator community encouraged me to post more and more dishes and then I started to post content on a regular basis.

Your favourite childhood meal?
When I was small, during the church festive season, my father used to buy new clay play pots for me. I used to cook my favourite dish - dhal and rice - in them. The rice came out raw, and the dhal was watery, but that became a dish I loved, coupled with coconut sambal.  

Your favourite recipe so far?
Baby jackfruit curry or Polos Curry with Roast paan.

What’s a dish you’d love to try again for the very first time?
On a trip to Singapore, I tried a Shake Shack burger called SmokeShack. I would love to try that again. It was one of the best burgers ever. It was a delicious juicy black Angus beef pressed patty, topped with Applewood smoked bacon, Cheddar cheese, chopped cherry pepper, with a side of crinkle cut fries and cheese sauce.

What’s a recipe on your page you would recommend to a first-time viewer?
My lemon biscuit pudding. It’s so easy to prepare and I am sure you all will love it.

Your favourite rice and curry pairings?
Fried fish, coconut sambal and Dhal. My appetite for them will even surpass two servings of it.

What’s a unique dish you’ve whipped up?
I have tried the sambal made with crab claw herb, and also "Kahi Piththan" jelly which is traditional medicine for gastritis. 

What’s a recipe you haven’t mastered yet?
I tried out homemade cream cheese, but still, I couldn't perfect it.

An unpopular food opinion? 
I feel pittu with sugar and banana feels awkward to try, but many of the people around me love the combination. I am also a member of the durian-avoiding club.

What’s the process of filming a recipe video?
In the beginning, the process was complicated, but with time steps are mastered. First I think of what ideas or skills I can contribute and teach my audience. Then I imagine the picture frames sequence. After the mind mapping is done, the shorts are taken and edited. And finally, I do a voice-over with the message I want to bring out.

When you are not cooking – what do you like to eat?
My mother taught both me and my sister alike. But the food we make tastes very different, so I love my sister's rice and curry combinations more than mine.

Your favourite cuisine?
I love both authentic Sri Lankan and Mediterranean cuisine.

Your top kitchen/cooking hack?
If you love cooking, the kitchen is your library. So invest in your kitchen equipment and you will never regret it.
Clean as you go-should be the best practice.
Collect Skills, not recipes.