Processed Cheese And Curry Leaves

A couple of questions for you terrific Indian cooks ...

I was given a recipe by the chef at the Rambaugh Palace in Jaipur. It calls for "processed cheese". I'm not sure what that is. Is it the same as "cream cheese" in the USA?

Another recipe I'm reading calls for "fresh curry leaves". It is not possible to find these on the high plains of Texas. I read that you can order fresh curry leaves by mail and then dry them for later use much like a bay leaf. Has anyone had any success doing this?

Your advice is sincerely appreciated. Bon Appetit!! - August 13 would have been Julia Child's 100th birthday. I don't think she ever cooked Indian food but it would have been a blast watching her try it. Happy Birthday Julia!

Processed cheese is simply any cheese that has been processed by using other ingredients like cream, salt, any other non fermented milk products etc. In simple terms, it is impure cheese

In India we only had this kind of cheese for a long time, so many people just use this as default. You may also experiment with purer form of cheese.

Dried curry leaves are easily and widely available on order, and will be delivered to your place. The basic flavour is somewhat same like fresh ones. Don't bother getting fresh leaves as they are likely to get spoiled even while drying, as the time lag between plucking and starting drying process is considerable.

Kraft singles are processed cheese - so something like that. I think you call it "American cheese". Look for a cheese which is labelled as a "cheese food" - because it's not cheese.

Curry leaves are highly aromatic when fresh, and their unmistakable aromatic taste is quite unique. Dried leaves are inferior, but sometimes that is all that is available.

I don't know enough about your growing conditions - maybe you could grow one in a pot, in a protected area?

http://jennysgarden.com/Murraya_koenigii.html

http://www.seedsofindia.com/category/Plants-26

Do you have an Asian (or Indian) grocery nearby? They may have the leaves, or if you're fortunate, the plant itself (or know where to source them).

Good luck.

A master Indian Chef I am not,but a lover of food the I am
I can buy Curry leaves in Canada at the local Indian grocery store,fresh at times,as well as dried.I like to buy the fresh ones,wash them and when dry,I snip the leaves off and freeze them just like the frozen Kaffir leave (lime leaves) I buy in China town for my Thai curries.Not as good as fresh,but superior to dried leaves.

Yes, in the US, "American cheese" means processed cheese. Processed cheese is made from cheese, water, sugar, sat and other ingredients mixed together in a factory and extruded into shapes such as Kraft singles (US) or Amul "cheese" in a tin (India), etc. I'm sure any mild cheese would serve the purpose in your recipe. It is likely the chef in Jaipur was using Amul tinned cheese, which is similar to a mild cheese.

BTW, is it possible to buy a curry plant in a pot in Delhi, or do I have to get a friend from a suitable climate to dig one up for me to grow in a pot in Ladakh? How long do they live?

The Curry plant is actually a small tree (15 - 20 feet). I don't know how well it will grow in a pot, -- perhaps enough to give a small supply of leaves? May not live as long as they normally do.

.

Search for an Indian Grocery shop near your place. Most Indian grocery shops carry curry leaves. Shouldn't cost more than a dollar or two.

Yes, you may get a sapling here. The plant is sub-tropical and may not agree with the climate in Ladakh. Strangely, we have two at our garden in Jaipur (very dry climate). They live for several years (atleast the ones we have .... umm ... cant recall but over a decade i think?). Oh, planting in the ground is better for growth.

A big Texas thanks to all the cooks and foodies out there who have responded with excellent advice. The search for fresh curry leaves will continue!

As bombayboy & DrRudi mention, most Indian grocery stores sell curry leaves these days. A big bunch for about $1.00+. I see some stores selling small potted plants too, prices ranging from $5 to $10+. IIRC, I saw a few on sale at this store in Austin, TX, but that was back in 2009: http://www.gandhibazar.com/location.html

I don't really like the dried version as you never get the same aroma as the fresh leaves.

We have had our curry leaf plant here in Georgia for the past 10 years or so. It seems to be quite comfortable and thriving in a large pot, we do bring it indoors during cold weather or when there's a freeze warning. All we do is loosen up the soil and add some Miracle-Gro about once a year.:

Let me know if you are in GA anytime and I'll be happy to give you one of the baby plants.

There's someone selling potted curry leaf (and other) plants online (edit: I see DrRudi has given this link too):
http://www.seedsofindia.com/category/Plants-26

Also:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/home...leaf-tree.html

What an interesting and "delicious" looking plant. I'll search online for one. Do you use the leaves only in Indian dishes or have you adapted its use to any other cuisine? Thanks for the photo - now I'll know what to look for!

Hey Tex! What part of the great state are you in? I have a house and am occ'lly in Texarkana, way up in the NE corner.
"Don't Mess With Texas"

Howdy rebeccam, Amarillo by morning!

No, I have not used it in any other cuisine. I guess that one could use it in any recipe that calls for 'curry powder' - broad generalization. I cannot really think of adapting it to any other cuisine. It's so uniquely Indian. I would appreciate any ideas.

Maybe include it as a secret ingredient in hot-sauce/dry rub/marinade? It's essential in sambar, South Indian style dal, curries and goes just great with meat too. Absolutely essential in Chicken 65 for example.

The store bought 'fresh' curry leaves have less aroma, I suspect that's due to the travel and the grocery store spraying water on them to keep them looking fresh. With the fresh off the plant ones it's less is more. The fresh leaves in this part of the US come from Florida.

oh dear, the opposite side of the state. I love Texas, and its state motto "Friendship" is perfect!

Amarillo International Foods
3409 South Georgia #26
Amarillo, TX 79109, USA

maybe here?
or ask at an Indian Restaurant where to find the curry leaves.