Monday, October 22, 2012

Triple Pumpkin Curry

My dish for this month's 5 Star Makeover - hosted as ever by Natasha of 5 Star Foodie and Lazaro of Lazaro Cooks - came about quite by accident. As in, I made the dish on purpose and only later realized that it fit with the October theme of squash. And retrofit it with the catchy little name of "triple pumpkin curry." And it's a good thing too, because otherwise I may have missed a 5 Star challenge for the very first time.

I am not so vain as to think you are sitting around wondering where on earth I have been and sighing and moping and waiting expectantly for my return (though hugs to you if you have) but the fact is I haven't posted for weeks. It's a record posting drought, in fact! It's not that I haven't been inspired. And I certainly (in between having a sinus thing and not being able to breathe) have been cooking. A lot. And writing. Tons.

Let me catch you up (if you care). Remember that job I had, being food and drink editor at Urbanite? The one where I got to eat and drink all over the place and then write about it? Yep, that was fun. While it lasted. The magazine  folded in September. Sadness!

But then I got a job as the recipe columnist for Style magazine. Happiness! I also get to do the photographs - and they'll be in print, not online. Joy! Except in a relatively short period of time I suddenly had four dishes to create, test, write the recipes for, and shoot. And, before I got that job, I went on a press trip to Charlevoix in Quebec. And pitched stories all over, landing three. Which have all been due at roughly the same time. And then because I can never leave well enough alone, I started freelancing for yet another local place. And then, because I am just plain crazy, I pitched another story to the Toronto Globe & Mail and guess what? I got the assignment and I'm working on that one too.

Oh, and it's all due before I go to Iceland in a week and a half. (Yay, Iceland!)

Now, I am not complaining - believe me. I feel lucky to have landed all this work doing what I love to do. But I haven't been this deep in the freelance game for awhile, and it's taking me some time to adjust. I've been a bit frantic, quite frankly.

Which brings me back to my triple pumpkin curry.
I am not sure you would call this "gourmet" or "5 Star" exactly. But it is special. It's a triple, not merely a common single pumpkin curry. Why, you ask? Well, in addition to those tender chunks of pumpkin, it's got toasted pumpkin seeds and a drizzle of Austrian pumpkin seed oil. Three - count em, three - types of pumpkin, all for the price of one.

But here's the thing: I've been so busy I forgot to write down what I did. So it's a little fuzzy at this point. Here's what I do remember: there were mustard seeds involved, and maybe some fenugreek, and onions. And garlic. And also fire roasted tomatoes, curry powder, hot red peppers, and chick peas. Green onions, which I remember because I can clearly see them in the photo. And of course the pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil.

Oh yeah - and it was really good! Sorry I can't be of more help. I think I may  recreate it for my Style magazine gig for a January comfort foods theme. And once I figure it out, I will let you know where to go find the recipe. Deal?

In the meantime, follow the links below and check out what squash dishes the other fabulous participants made when the round up posts on Friday. I'll bet you that most of them were even kind enough to include the recipe.





19 comments:

  1. Well, notwithstanding the lack of a specific recipe, I'm betting it was good. I like the triple pumpkin effect and curry just has to have flavor!

    Good luck with your new endeavors.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Cute Trix!
    Ooh Iceland, how fabulous! Bon Voyage. I am in love with the New Nordic/New Icelandic cuisine...
    Congrats on your work successes and on the triple winner of a makeover! Love the triple pumpkin colors too (bowl, napkin, spoon).
    LL

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yeah--Congrats and good for you and all your job news! I am super impressed (and now can claim I have a six degree thingy with Style magazine). I hope the trip is wonderful and your new job is amazing--love this recipe, too!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Trix - Congratulations - this must be both an excitng and insanely crazy time for you, but I am sure you will rock it.
    A pumpkin three way sounds like a treat for sure & enjoy that trip! Great to see you pop in on the interwebs.

    ReplyDelete
  5. !!! Love this. I have to admit - pumpkin and curry go so beautifully together.

    ReplyDelete
  6. A HUGE congrats to you on your new job, Trix! I can imagine how happy and excited you must be (and I'm sorry to hear about Urbanite folding...it must have been like losing a dear friend). But, cheers to your fabulous new job!

    The curry is gorgeous, pumpkin lends itself perfectly to richly spiced dishes like this. Pure comfort food.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congrats on all your well deserved new assignments. This recipe looks wonderful. I love the triple pumpkin effect. Have fun in Iceland!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is something new indeed. Never thought of having pumpkin curry, let alone triple pumpkin. It looks great, i must try it sometime

    ReplyDelete
  9. It warms my heart to see that you are so busy doing something you not only so clearly love but also something that you are so clearly wonderful at. You deserve it. I am all about the pumkin as a savory delight...never much cared for it as a dessert item so this dish is right up my street. That top photo? Wow. Now if you had only written it all down I would surely be making it! (Even though I don't know what fenugreek is? Sounds like some kind of slang though..)

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is amazing! and I'm so happy that you are so busy doing exactly what you love. Oh, to be in your shoes. I was wondering where you were, btw...totally...sighing and pacing was involved. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow haven't we been busy, so awesome for you and things are crazy in your life. Glad you did not miss this 5 star - triple happy -as the curry looks amazing. Have fun on your trip.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Congrats on your new job, and the trip to Iceland sounds so fabulous! The triple curry looks terrific - we were on the same wavelength with using the pumpkin flesh, seeds, and oil :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. congrats on so many gigs! i'm jealous of your upcoming iceland trip, enjoy :) and this pumpkin curry looks delicious, love how you utilized pumpkin thrice!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love the combination of pumpkin and curry! It looks so good and your pictures are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Yippee yeah hey. Great news about the mag. One door opens and a bigger one opens. Style magazine is a fun gig. Can't wait to see it.

    Iceland is very cool. Pet a pony for me!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Best wishes on your new magazine adventure--how fun! Your colorful curry dish sounds great too!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm with Joan. Sometimes it just gets like that. I have to force myself to write down the recipe most times. Good looking curry. And can't wait to hear more about the Style mag feature. Congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Trixie, I've missed you. Sorry to hear about Urbanite but a huge congratulations to you on all of the work you've got lined up. Yay!! So happy for you sweetie. You are so talented and deserve all the best. I can't wait to see the recipe in Style. It looks and sounds amazing. Have fun in Iceland.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Congras on the new job! All the best :)

    ReplyDelete