Ingredients
For the Curry Spice (or use 3 tablespoons Floyd Cardoz's Goan Masala by Burlap & Barrel or other curry blend of choice):
2 teaspoons coriander seeds
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
2 teaspoons fenugreek seeds
1 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaf
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
1 teaspoon allspice berries
3 cardamon seed pods
3 cloves
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
For the Carrot and Butternut Squash Curry:
4 tablespoons butter
1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded and diced ¾ inch (about 1 ½ pounds)
1 pound yellow and orange carrots
1 turnip, diced ¾ inch
1 onion, chopped
2 crisp apples, diced ¾ inch
Salt and pepper
2 inches ginger, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
3 tablespoon Curry Spice (above), homemade or store-bought
3 tablespoons flour
1 quart vegetable stock
1/3 cup mango chutney (Rach likes Patak's)
10-12 curry leaves, optional
For the Raita and Naan:
Non-aerosol cooking spray
1 bunch scallions, trimmed and halved across or coarsely chopped
1 japaneno, coarsely chopped, optional
Salt and pepper
1 cup cilantro and mint combined, packed
Juice of 1 lime
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 cups Greek yogurt
4 garlic naan
Boondi masala, optional
For the Rice Pilaf with Smoked Almonds:
2 tablespoons butter
½ cup fideo or broken pieces of thin spaghetti
1 ½ cups white rice
Salt and pepper
2 ¼ cups vegetable stock
½ cup smoked almonds, finely chopped
Directions
Serves: 6
For the curry spice, toast all the spices except for cayenne and turmeric in small pan over medium heat until fragrant. Grind in spice mill and mix in cayenne and turmeric.
For the carrot and butternut squash curry, melt butter in large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add squash, carrots, turnip, onion and apples, season with salt and pepper and soften 5 to 6 minutes, covered. Add ginger and garlic, then curry spice and soften 3 to 4 minutes more. Add flour, then stock, chutney and curry leaves (if using) and simmer 20 minutes.
For the raita and naan, heat a small cast-iron skillet over high heat. Spray pan, char scallions and jalapeno (if using) and season with salt and pepper, then add them to food processor. To the onions and jalapeno, add herbs, juice of 1 lime, clove of garlic, cumin and yogurt and process into a sauce. To serve, griddle the naan over high heat and top with raita and boondi masala (if using) or pass at table.
For the rice pilaf, in a saucepan or skillet with lid, melt butter and toast pasta until golden. Add rice, season with salt and pepper and add stock. Bring to boil, reduce heat to low and simmer 15 to 18 minutes. Add the almonds, mix and serve.
