Can't find curry leaves - leave them out? or substitute???

[nevinn]

Help! I want to prepare a veggie curry dish tomorrow which calls for curry leaves. There is not a chance that I will find them in Aspen in the next 24 hours. Should I leave them out or substitute something else? I know curry powder is NOT a sub - how about bay leaves? or pine nuts ??

Thanks for any suggestions!

[sushigirlie]

no substitute

[luckyfatima]

Leave them out. Nothing will approximate the taste of fresh curry leaves.

[amyzan]

Yeah, I know of no substitute. Just leave them out. Do know, though, that they freeze well for keeping on hand.

[mcaren]

Hi Nevinn -- I am no expert, but curry leaves (in my opinion) have their own taste -- can't think of anything else close. It's a weird description, but to me it's a "warm" taste -- not hot like a chili, and not exactly smoky, but warm. Anyway, I'd probably leave it out, but if you get the chance to visit an Indian market and get some later, please do -- it's such an amazing taste. This is the recipe that introduced me to curry leaves: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Mulligat...; a lot of ingredients, but well worth it.