Substitute for curry leaves?

[garth]

Tonight I'm planning on making an Indian recipe, "Curried Cauliflower," but I don't have one of the ingredients. It calls for 4-6 curry leaves. I have a couple of different curry powders but never had a recipe that calls for the leaves themselves.

Can I substitute some curry powder into the recipe? If so, how much do you think?

I would just run out to the indian grocer by my house but they're closed for labor day. So, any thoughts? The recipe just looks too tasty to pass up unless I have to.

[Arainu]

I've had this problem before. Really, there doesn't seem to be a substitute. Either you have them, or you don't...

Try the recipe without them?

[orapunzel]

From the Cooks Thesaurus site: http://www.foodsubs.com/HerbsAsian.html

It says the Indonesian bay leaf = daun salam = salam leaf can be substitued for it... and plain ole bay leaves.

Don't know if that will actually work for you... sorry I can't be of more help.

I've not tried this b/c I've yet to have a recipe that calls for curry leaves.

Good luck!

[garth]

I've had this problem before. Really, there doesn't seem to be a substitute. Either you have them, or you don't...

Try the recipe without them?

D'oh!

Well, I did try it without the curry leaves. It was a very bland recipe. Not terrible, I see some promise for future tries but definitely not as good as it looked.

Maybe the curry leaves would've added more flavor? I'll try once more with the curry leaves and if that doesn't work, I'm going to add some hot pepper or something to give this some kick.

Thanks though!

[garth]

From the Cooks Thesaurus site: http://www.foodsubs.com/HerbsAsian.html

It says the Indonesian bay leaf = daun salam = salam leaf can be substitued for it... and plain ole bay leaves.

Don't know if that will actually work for you... sorry I can't be of more help.

I've not tried this b/c I've yet to have a recipe that calls for curry leaves.

Good luck!

Hrm, thanks! I'll keep that in mind if I can't find the curry leaf at the indian grocer.

I live out in the 'burbs, I don't think I'll find any of these speciality items at a regular grocery store. But this allows me to look in one of the asian markets if the indian place doesn't have it!

Thanks again!

[orapunzel]

Well, I got curious and when I was at Harry's yesterday (a HUGE farmer's market chain owned by WF, now). I bought the curry leaves. There are more leaves there than I could possibly use anytime soon. So, I'll freeze these along with my lime leaves that I use for Thai cooking.

The scent is markedly different from bay leaf as that one substitution sight recommends as an alternative.

Anyway, I've found a recipe in which to try it... so maybe next week, I'll do that.

Btw, I also found this: http://www.indianspices.com/html/s062fclf.htm

Also... Garth, how did your recipe turn out without them?