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CASHEW CURRY(kaju curry/kaju maluwa)

cashew curry(Kaju curry, creamy coconut milk and cashew Sri Lankan vegetarian curry.

Dishes like this cashew(Kaju)curry also known as Kaju maluwa are indeed special in Sri Lankan cuisine.

Because once in a while you need a dish that’s going to be kind to your system and this mildly spiced cashew nut curry recipe is it. 

Often served on special occasions, you will find the Sri Lankan cashew curry with its mild creamy and crunchy tastes compliments almost all types of menus.

cashew curry cooked in coconut milk with curry leaves and pandan leaves.

Kaju curry is not your usual spicy Sri Lankan dish.

It’s quite mild but if you do feel like adding a few chilli flakes then you can certainly add to spice up the curry.

A tasty vegan, vegetarian, low-carb, gluten-free, non-dairy Sri Lankan curry.

Sri Lankan food has many dishes that cater to various diets and one of those dishes is this curried cashew curry.

Cooked in coconut milk and Sri Lankan spices, these Kaju nuts take on extra creaminess.

With the added soft crunch the whole flavour combination makes it a cashew nut recipe worth trying.

cashews cooked in coconut milk and mixed with a wooden spoon.

Cashews are a product of the Cashew apple.

For those of you who haven’t tasted the fruit, I think it’s one of those exotic fruits like the Mangosteen or rambutan that you need to taste at some point in your life.

The last time I tasted the fruit was a few years back.

I don’t think you’ll ever forget the taste of a Cashew apple, not only because of its taste but the whole experience of biting into a ripe juicy Cashew apple.

It’s a burst of sweetness and tartness with a heady fruity aroma.

I distinctly remember ruining a few of my favourite tops because the juice of the Cashew apple stains permanently. 

cashews cooked in coconut milk and curry leaves.

The traditional Sri Lankan Cashew curry usually has a few more ingredients including green peas and other spices(I’ll make sure to add the recipe as well).

I have made this kaju curry recipe without the extra ingredients which I feel just confuses the taste buds.

By keeping the ingredients to a minimum, and giving the Cashews(kaju) their place to shine, you have a side dish that’s worthy of any festive occasion.

You get to enjoy a dish that is mildly spiced with a creamy coconut milk gravy which helps in softening the Cashew nuts adding a pleasant crunch to it.

Although cashews are available in most shops where they can be quite expensive especially when you look at the quantity you get vs the price BUT that doesn’t stop us from indulging ourselves with these addictive nuts.

Place a bowl of Cashews and watch how quickly it disappears.

cashews and curry leaves cooked in coconut milk.

green pea curry with cashews(Sri Lankan)

Sri Lankan cashew stir-fry(kaju baduma).

Indian creamy cashew masala curry.

Devilled Thai cashew chicken stir-fry.

RECIPE DIFFICULTY-EASY

Ingredients mentioned below use standard measuring cups and spoons.

250g of cashew nuts

2-3 tablespoons of Oil

1 large onion sliced

1 sprig of curry leaves

1 medium-sized Tomato sliced(optional)

a small piece of cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 teaspoon chilli powder

1 teaspoon cumin powder

1/2 cup coconut milk

1/2 teaspoon of roasted curry powder

Preparing the cashew nuts to cook the coconut milk-based curry.

Most supermarkets here have cashews that are labelled as cooking cashews that need to be soaked just for 15 minutes.

But if they are not available, you can use the usual raw cashew nuts, only they need to be soaked for 2 hours.

Do not leave the Cashews longer than two hours as it can affect the taste and texture.

Once the Cashews are soaked, drain and set them aside to be cooked.

Cooking the cashew coconut curry.

Place a pan over medium heat, and pour in the oil.

Once the oil is slightly heated, add chopped onion(1 medium), tomatoes(1 medium) and curry leaves(a sprig).

tempering ingredients for kaju coconut curry.

Leave it to temper and cook while the Onions turn soft for 1-2 minutes.

making the spice blend for curry coconut cashews.

Once tempered, add turmeric(1/2 tsp), cumin(1 tsp), chilli powder(1 tsp) and cinnamon, mix and leave it to cook between 1-2 minutes.

mixing tempering and cashews for the curry.

Add the soaked cashew nuts to the tempered ingredients.

stir fried cashews for the kaju curry.

Stir with the spice mix and cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until all ingredients are incorporated.

Pour in the coconut milk(1 cup) and stir with the cashew curry while seasoning with salt to taste.

stir fried cashews with coconut milk poured.

Leave it to simmer on low fire for 4-5 minutes or until you decide if you need an almost dry cashew curry or with a bit of gravy.

cooked cashew curry with coconut milk.

Once cooked, add 1/2 teaspoon of roasted curry powder, mix in with the cashew curry and serve.

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Sri lankan kaju curry(cashew curry).

Sri lankan kaju curry(cashew curry).

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Sri Lankan cashew curry(Kaju curry).

So dishes like this Kaju(cashew)curry also know as kaju maluwa are indeed special.

Because once in a while you need a dish that’s going to be kind to your system and this mildly spiced cashew nut curry recipe is it. 

Ingredients

  • Ingredients mentioned below use standard measuring cups and spoons.
  • 250g of cashew nuts
  • 2-3 tablespoons of Oil
  • 1 large Onion sliced
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • 1 medium-sized Tomato sliced(optional)
  • a small piece of Cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon chilli powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1/2 cup Coconut milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon of roasted curry powder

Instructions

  1. Preparing the cashew nuts to cook the coconut milk-based curry.
  2. Most supermarkets here have cashews that are labeled as cooking cashews that need to be soaked just for 15 minutes.
  3. But if they are not available, you can use the usual raw cashew nuts, only they need to be soaked for 2 hours.
  4. Do not leave the Cashews longer than two hours as it can affect the taste and texture.
  5. Once the Cashews are soaked, drain and set them aside to be cooked.
  6. Cooking the cashew coconut curry.
  7. Place a pan over medium heat, pour in the oil.
  8. Once the oil is slightly heated, add chopped Onions(1 medium), Tomatoes(1 medium) and Curry leaves(a sprig).
  9. Leave it to temper and cook while the Onions turn soft for 1-2 minutes.
  10. Once tempered, add turmeric(1/2 tsp), cumin(1 tsp), chilli powder(1 tsp) and cinnamon, mix and leave it to cook between 1-2 minutes.
  11. Add the soaked cashew nuts to the tempered ingredients.
  12. Stir with the spice mix and cook over medium heat for further 2-3 minutes until all ingredients are incorporated.
  13. Pour in the coconut milk(1 cup) and stir with the cashew curry while seasoning with salt to taste.
  14. Leave it to simmer on low fire for 4-5 minutes or until you decide if you need an almost dry cashew curry or with a bit of gravy.
  15. Once cooked, add 1/2 teaspoon of roasted curry powder, mix in with the cashew curry and serve.

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 5 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 427Total Fat: 37gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 26gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 341mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 3gSugar: 4gProtein: 9g

Nutritional information on islandsmile is provided as a courtesy. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on the site. these figures should only be considered as estimates.

Did you make this recipe?

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Each recipe on this blog has been written with great care and love to the best of my ability with you in mind.
It’s free and on the blog, for you to try anytime.

All I ask is that you do not save it on any apps, recipe boxes or online groups which will affect me as a food blogger and the growth of this blog. 

I would appreciate it if you only shared the link rather than the full recipe. 

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Arctica

Wednesday 21st of September 2022

One of the best things i have made in a long while! Really tasty curry.

jehan

Friday 23rd of September 2022

Glad you enjoyed it. please rate the recipe if you can. thank you! Regards J

Bhagya De Silva

Tuesday 26th of July 2022

I made this curry twice, and it came out perfect! Thank you for sharing this recipe.

jehan

Wednesday 27th of July 2022

hi Bhagya, Thank you for trying out the recipe. You are most welcome. please do rate the recipe so other readers can find the recipe. Regards J

Marie Martin

Thursday 7th of January 2021

It the picture it looks as if you have whole green chillies in the pain in the first step. But these are not listed as ingredients ? Many thanks

jehan

Friday 8th of January 2021

Hi Marie, Thank you for your patience. In regards to adding green chillies, you only need to add if you want some spiciness to the dish as an optional ingredient. I will add this to the recipe post when time permits to avoid any confusion. Regards j

sharon

Monday 16th of March 2020

Hi! just an FYI that it looks like the recipe is cut off at the bottom. We can use the steps up top with the photos, but just thought you would like to know :)

jehan

Tuesday 17th of March 2020

Hi Sharon, Thank you for your kindness! I will take a look at it, probably an ad(unfortunately, a necessary evil to keep the blog running)cutting off the recipe or something is wrong with the recipe card. But thank you. rgds Jehan Stay safe.

Wendy Shannon

Wednesday 24th of April 2019

Cashews are not listed in ingredients - what amount is required?

jehan

Wednesday 24th of April 2019

extremely sorry about that will rectify the mistake.

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