In article >,
"Peter Aitken" > wrote:

> "Phred" > wrote in message
> ...
> >[ Sorry for breaking the thread, but my heirloom newsreader (News
> > Xpress 2.01) choked on the excessively long References header.]
> >
> > In article >,
> > Katra > wrote:
> > [snip]
> >>I've not cooked with curry for awhile and I have plenty in the spice
> >>cabinet, plus a live "curry" plant out in the herb garden.
> >>
> >>Now I realize that curry is actually a mixture of spices including
> >>turmeric and chiles, this "curry" plant I think is related to
> >>rosemary, or at least the growth pattern is the same.
> >
> > I presume this is _Helichrysum italicum_? See:
> > <http://www.uq.net.au/hyperlinked/Herbs/curry.htm>
> >
> > The other "curry plant" is probably more correctly(?) known as "curry
> > leaf" (_Murraya koenigii_) for which it's claimed "Most Indian cuisine
> > cannot do without the subtle flavouring of this highly aromatic leafy
> > spice." <http://www.indianspices.com/html/s062fclf.htm>
> >
> >>The bruised leaves smell just like curry and add a nice light flavor
> >>to the meat that I put it on. It's not growing very well so I can't
> >>harvest a lot at a time, but it's nice!
> >
> > I suspect the _Murraya_ also wouldn't grow very well where you are.
> > (See <http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/curry.htm> for photos of a well
> > grown specimen. ;-)
> >
>
> The curry plant - the Murraya one - is used a lot in southern Indian dishes,
> less so in the north. It must be easy to grow because I, the original black
> thumb guy, have a healthy specimen several years old. It's in a large pot
> (it's about 3 feet tall now) and it's outside during the frost-free part of
> the year (North Carolina, so about 7 months) and indoors near a bright
> window the rest of the time. It gets a shot of miracle-grow once a month or
> so. My parents have been successful growing them in New Jersey. Lovers of
> Indian food should make an effort to grow one, it makes a big difference in
> some dishes.

I'll have to take a look at that, thanks! :-)
It's nice to have the curry flavor without the heat.

Here is the plant I currently use, and it really does smell and taste
like curry:

http://home.centurytel.net/Katraslink/CurryPlant.jpg

I lost my first one before the year was out, but this little dude
survived the winter and has quadrupled in size. I may apply a shade
screen over the summer this time to give it a hand.

--
K.

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