Curry Spiced Winter Squash Food

CURRIED WINTER SQUASH

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine first six ingredients. Microwave on high until heated through, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle on coconut, if desired. Serve.

WINTER SQUASH AND WILD MUSHROOM CURRY

Steps:

• In a wide skillet, heat oil over medium-high. When hot, add squash cubes in one layer. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2 minutes, letting cubes brown slightly, then flip and cook for 2 minutes more. Use a slotted spoon to lift squash out, and set aside.
• Cut a lengthwise slit in each chile to open it, but leave whole. (This helps the chiles heat the sauce without making it too spicy.)
• Add shallots, salt lightly and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds and curry leaves, if using, and let sizzle for 30 seconds, then add garlic, coriander, cayenne, turmeric and chiles. Stir well and cook for 30 seconds more.
• Add mushrooms, season with salt and toss to coat. Cook, stirring, until mushrooms begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
• Return squash cubes to skillet, stir in coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Lower heat to medium and simmer for another 5 minutes. If mixture looks dry, thin with a little water. Taste and season with salt.
• Before serving, stir in lime juice. Transfer to a warm serving dish and garnish with cilantro.

CHICKEN WITH CURRY ROASTED SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°. Place squash and onion in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle with curry powder and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper; toss to coat. Roast 25-30 minutes or just until squash is tender, stirring halfway., In a small saucepan, bring water and remaining oil to a boil. Stir in couscous. Remove from heat; let stand, covered, 5 minutes or until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork., Meanwhile, in a 6-qt. stockpot, combine broth and 1/2 cup apricots; bring to a simmer. Add chicken, garbanzo beans, squash mixture and remaining salt and pepper; heat through, stirring gently. Serve with couscous; top with remaining apricots. Sprinkle with cilantro if desired.

CURRY SPICED WINTER SQUASH

Steps:

• In a large skillet toast pumpkin seeds over medium heat 4 to 5 minutes or until puffed & lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Watch them carefully as the seeds might pop in the skillet!
• Remove from skillet & set aside.
• In the same skillet, cook & stir ginger in hot oil over medium heat for 1 minute.
• Increase heat to medium-high & add squash, cooking 3 to 5 minutes or until squash starts to brown.
• Add cranberries, cinnamon, coriander, cumin & curry powder, & cook another minute.
• Carefully add broth to squash mixture.
• Bring to boiling, then reduce heat & cook, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes, or until squash is tender, but not mushy.
• Serve spooned over rice & sprinkled with pumpkin seeds, & don't forget to pass the condiments!

SPICY WINTER SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Trim edges of squash, cut into four pieces, remove seeds.
• Steam 12-15 minutes until soft.
• Scrape the squash from the skin into a blender, add ginger and 2 1/2 cups milk; purée.
• Sauté onion, celery and garlic in 3 teaspoons olive oil until onions are soft.
• Reduce heat to low, stir in Cajun spice mix. Stir for 30 seconds, add squash purée and remaining milk.
• Bring to a boil, simmer for 15 minutes.
• Add corn and green beans and continue to simmer.
• Stir in basil.
• Season with salt to taste.

WINTER SQUASH WITH SPICED BUTTER

Steps:

• For spiced butter:
• Mix all ingredients except salt in a small bowl until lime juice is incorporated. Season with salt. Cover; keep in a cool place. DO AHEAD: Spiced butter can be made 1 week ahead. Roll into logs, wrap in parchment paper, and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.
• For squash:
• Trim ends of acorn and kabocha squash and cut in half through the stem end. Scrape out seeds and place squash cut side down on a cutting board (do not peel). Cut halves crosswise into 1/2" slices. If using delicata squash, cut crosswise into 1/2" rings; scrape out seeds.
• Fill a large wide pot with water to a depth of 1/2" and add a pinch of salt; bring to a boil. Add squash slices; reduce heat to mediumlow. Cover and steam, adding more water as needed to maintain 1/2" of water at bottom of pot, until squash is tender but not falling apart, 20-25 minutes.
• Carefully transfer squash slices to a large platter (some squash at bottom of pot may be too soft; save for another purpose4) and season with salt.
• Reduce water in pot over high heat (or add hot water) to measure 3/4 cup. Remove from heat and whisk in spiced butter, 1 tablespoonful at a time, to form a rich, glossy sauce. Season to taste with salt. Drizzle spiced butter over squash. Top with pomegranate seeds.

CURRY SPICED SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Cut squash in half; discard seeds. Place squash cut side down in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Add 1/2 in. of hot water to pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40 minutes. Drain water from pan; turn squash cut side up. Bake 20-30 minutes longer or until tender. Cool slightly. , Carefully scoop out squash into a blender or food processor; cover and process until smooth. Set aside., In a large saucepan, saute onion and apple in butter until tender. Add the garlic, curry powder and ginger; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in broth and pureed squash. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add the cream, salt, pepper and cayenne if desired; heat through (do not boil).

WINTER SQUASH AND CHICKEN STEW WITH INDIAN SPICES

Steps:

• Heat 1 teaspoon oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Add to Dutch oven; sauté until brown on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer to plate.
• Heat remaining 1 teaspoon oil in same pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté until golden, about 5 minutes. Add curry powder, cumin, and cinnamon; stir 1 minute. Return chicken to pot. Add squash, potatoes, broth and tomatoes. Cover and simmer 15 minutes. Uncover and simmer until chicken and potatoes are cooked through and liquid is slightly reduced, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with cilantro.