Cashew Nut Curry
300g unsalted cashew nuts
2 tbsp coconut or vegetable oil
7.5cm cinnamon stick
1S0g onions, finely chopped
1Sg garlic, crushed
2Sg peeled ginger, finely grated
2 green cayenne chillies, thinly sliced
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
2 tsp Roasted Sri Lankan curry powder (page 303)
400ml coconut milk
2 fat lemongrass stalks, core thinly sliced
4 x 3cm pieces pandan leaf
10-12 curry leaves
1S0g green beans, cut into 3-4cm pieces
1 tsp jaggery or palm sugar
1 tbsp lime juice
Small handful of coriander leaves, roughly chopped
Put the cashew nuts into a bowl, cover with hot water and leave to soak for 30 minutes. Heat the oil in a medium-sized pan, add the cinnamon and leave it to sizzle for a few seconds, then add the onion and garlic and fry gently for 5 minutes until soft and just beginning to brown. Stir in the ginger, green chillies, turmeric, curry powder, coconut milk, lemongrass, pandan leaf and curry leaves. Cover and leave to simmer for 20 minutes. Drain the cashew nuts and stir them into the sauce with 150ml water and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover and simmer for a further 20 minutes. Uncover, add the green beans and continue to cook for another 10 minutes or until both the cashew nuts and beans are tender. Uncover the pan towards the end of cooking to reduce the sauce a little if necessary. Stir in the sugar, lime juice and coriander, and serve