Asmi (Sri Lankan Sweet)

Asmi is a traditional Sri Lankan sweet made from rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar. It is usually prepared during special occasions like Sinhala and Tamil New Year and served with a variety of other sweets. The delicate crispy layers are soaked in sugar syrup, making them sweet, chewy, and delicious!

Ingredients

• 2 cups rice flour
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder (optional, for color)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla essence (optional)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water (for syrup)
• 1 tbsp ghee or butter
• Oil for frying

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix the rice flour, turmeric powder, and coconut milk to form a smooth batter.
2. Heat a pan and add ghee or butter, then pour in the batter in small batches. Fry each batch on medium heat, spreading it thinly to form a flat, round pancake-like shape. Fry until golden brown on both sides.
3. Once all the pancakes are fried, set them aside to cool slightly.
4. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water, and heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and a syrup forms. Let the syrup simmer for a few minutes to thicken.
5. Cut the cooled pancakes into strips or squares. Place the pieces in a shallow dish or tray.
6. Pour the sugar syrup over the fried pieces, making sure they are well-soaked.
7. Allow the Asmi to absorb the syrup for at least 1 hour to allow the layers to soften and the sweet syrup to soak in.
8. Serve and enjoy this delicious Sri Lankan sweet!

Watch How It's Made

Tips & Variations

• If you want a richer flavor, add a little bit of coconut jaggery to the sugar syrup.
• For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of cardamom powder to the batter before frying.
• If you want a crispier texture, allow the fried pancakes to cool completely before soaking them in the syrup.

Serving Suggestions

• Asmi can be enjoyed as a dessert or sweet snack alongside other Sri Lankan sweets like Kokis or Kavum.
• Pair it with a cup of hot tea or coffee to balance the sweetness.
• For a festive touch, garnish the Asmi with some shredded coconut or nuts before serving.

Nutrition (approx. per serving)

• Calories: 180–220 kcal (per serving)
• Protein: 2g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fats: 7–9g