How to host a Sri Lankan curry night

A curry night is about many small dishes shared at once. This menu is forgiving and mostly make-ahead.

The menu

• A chicken curry with coconut milk (see our recipe).
• A lentil (dhal) curry.
• A vegetable curry.
• A fresh coconut sambol.
• Steamed rice and crisp papadams.

The timeline

• The day before: make the dhal and sambol; the flavors deepen overnight.
• Two hours before: prepare the vegetables and start the rice.
• Forty-five minutes before: cook the chicken curry.
• To finish: warm everything gently and set out chili on the side so guests control the heat.

End the night with a pot of Ceylon black tea.