Manike’s Thuna Paha

Thuna paha means ‘three by five’ in Sinhala and is a spice mix found in most Sri Lankan kitchens. Each family has their own special blend — I have eaten the same curry in different homes across the island, yet each was slightly different. Manike makes hers the traditional way, where the spices are left to dry in the sun for a day and then ground on a heavy stone slab. The spice mix can be used when making just about any curry.