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Check out our guide to curry leaves, including where to buy them, and plenty of recipe inspiration, then read about what is ghee, saffron and lemongrass.

What are curry leaves?

Curry leaves are the shiny, dark green, aromatic leaves of a tree from the citrus fruit family. They release a deliciously nutty aroma when fried in hot oil and are a staple of south Indian cooking. Curry leaves can be bought fresh or dried, with the former having far more aroma.

Where to buy curry leaves

JustIngredients organic curry leaves, £10.69/100g, olive shop

Rajah Curry Leaves, £3.64/10g, Amazon

Cooks' Ingredients curry leaves, £1.25/3 stems, Waitrose


Recipes with curry leaves

Courgette curry

Prepare this light, summery courgette curry in less than an hour – perfect for a vegetarian midweek dinner. It's also gluten-free and vegan-friendly.

Two Bowls of Courgette Curry on a Bed of Rice

Sweet potato and lentil curry

A vibrant, low-calorie and vegan dinner idea, made with sweet potatoes, red split lentils, coconut milk and plenty of spices. Enjoy with a naan or pilau rice.

Sweet potato and lentil curry in two bowls

Keralan chicken curry

Try this classic Keralan chicken curry, with flavours of ginger, green chilli, whole fragrant spices and a light, creamy gravy enriched with cashew nuts.

Keralan chicken curry in a serving dish

Green bean curry

This is a perfect main or part of a spread, adapted from Laxmi Khurana’s An Indian Housewife’s Recipe Book. You can use frozen beans, but use fresh while they're at their best in the summer to add crunch.

a metal pan containing green beans and tomato with a bowl of rice on a stone background

Kolamba’s parippu (lentil curry)

The co-founder of Kolamba in London’s Soho shares this recipe with us from the restaurant's kitchen. A lentil curry spiced with mustard seeds, chilli powder, curry leaves and cinnamon, with layers of delicate flavour.

A white bowl filled with a golden-coloured curry and white fluffy rice, scattered with coriander on a grey stone background

Curried chicken nuggets with curry leaf mayo

Mayonnaise is used to make these chicken nuggets quickly and easily, and also makes a great dip when mixed with curry leaves and mustard seeds.

A white platter of nuggets around a pot of white creamy sauce

Sri Lankan tequila and curry leaf cocktail

This simple yet stylish short cocktail made using only tequila, lime, agave syrup and curry leaves is a must-have for your next cocktail party. This recipe comes from Soho restaurant Kolamba.

Short cocktail glass filled with tequila, lime and sugar syrup, garnished with curry leaves

Hirwa kolambi kalwan

Try our vibrant green coconut prawn curry with chilli, coriander and curry leaves. We've used shell-on prawns as they add so much flavour, although you could make this with peeled prawns as well.

Goan Prawn Curry Recipe

Kolamba’s chicken curry

Make this your go-to special chicken curry. Straight from the kitchen of London's Kolamba restaurant, this Sri Lankan recipe is made with fresh spices and homemade roasted curry powder.

Sri Lankan Polos Jackfruit Curry Recipe Kolamba

Authors

Adam Bush Chef Portrait
Adam BushDeputy food editor
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