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Cashew Curry Recipe | Sri Lankan Kaju Maluwa
Cashew Curry (කජු මාළුව)
| Category | Servings | Total time | Spice level | Kids friendly |
| Main Curry | 3 – 4 adults | 30 – 35 minutes | 🌶️🌶️ | ✅ |
The Soul of Kaju Maluwa
A creamy Sri Lankan cashew curry simmered in coconut milk with mild spices and a rich, nutty flavour.
Kaju maluwa is a rich and comforting Sri Lankan curry made with tender cashew nuts gently simmered in coconut milk. Often prepared for special occasions, festive meals or when guests are welcomed, this dish reflects the warmth and generosity of Sri Lankan home cooking.
The cashews absorb the lightly spiced coconut gravy, becoming soft and creamy with a delicate bite. The flavour is mild yet layered, with turmeric, curry leaves and a touch of pepper enhancing the natural richness of the nuts without overpowering them.
Unlike heavier curries, kaju maluwa is known for its gentle balance creamy, slightly sweet and subtly spiced. It pairs beautifully with rice, string hoppers or roti, adding depth and elegance to any Sri Lankan meal.
Ingredients
- 250 g raw cashew nuts, soaked in water for 1 – 2 hours
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup thin coconut milk
- ½ cup thick coconut milk
- 1 small onion
- 2 green chillies
- 8 – 10 curry leaves
- 1 small piece pandan leaf
- Salt, to taste
½ tsp Turmeric Powder Add To Cart
1 tsp Curry Powder Add To Cart
½ tsp Pepper Crushed Add To Cart
Making It Kid Friendly
- Skip green chillies
- Reduce black pepper
- Add a little extra coconut milk
Method
- Drain the soaked cashew nuts and set aside.
- Add cashew nuts, onion, green chillies, curry leaves, pandan leaf, turmeric, curry powder, salt and water into a pan.
- Cook on medium heat until the cashews start to soften.
- Add thin coconut milk and simmer gently until the cashews are tender but not broken.
- Add thick coconut milk and cook on low heat for 2 – 3 minutes.
- Do not boil after adding thick coconut milk.
- Add black pepper and a small pinch of sugar.
- Adjust salt and remove from heat.
- Allow the curry to rest slightly before serving.
To Serve
- With steamed white rice
- With yellow rice or ghee rice
- With string hoppers or hoppers
- Alongside dhal and vegetable dishes
Kaju Maluwa Variations
| White Cashew Curry | Cashew & Green Peas Curry | Cashew Mustard Curry | Cashew Tempered Curry |
| Ingredient Changes Remove: Keep: Turmeric (very little) Pepper only Method Changes Follow same method Skip curry powder Add pepper lightly | Ingredient Changes Add: ½ cup green peas Method Changes Add peas together with cashews at the start Cook until both soften | Ingredient Changes Add paste: 1 tsp mustard seeds ½ tsp cumin 1 clove garlic Method Changes Add ground paste after thin coconut milk stage Cook for 2 – 3 minutes Then add thick coconut milk | Ingredient Changes Add: 1 tbsp coconut oil ½ tsp mustard seeds ½ tsp cumin seeds 1 dried red chilli Method Changes Prepare curry as usual At end: temper mustard + cumin + chilli pour over curry |
