Shrimp & Butternut Squash with mustard seed paste

Sorshe Diye Chingri-Kumro
(Shrimp & Butternut Squash with mustard seed paste)

Ingredients:

1. 1 lb medium shrimp shelled, deveined, washed in hot water and
   marinated with a tsp each of turmeric powder, corn starch and salt.
2. 1 butternut squash (about 8\” long and 6\” diameter)
3. 2 medium potatoes (do not peel; scrub clean with a brush)
4. A handful of green chilies washed & stemmed
5. 1/2 cup mustard seeds (first dry grind, then add 1/2 cup water, 2
   cloves garlic and four green chilies and blend thoroughly in a blender)
6. Turmeric powder and 1 heaping tblsp of hot curry powder.
7. Panch-phoron (a mixture of 1/4 tsp each of mustard seeds,
   fenugreek, cumin, methi and kalonji)
8. Salt and sugar to taste and vegetable oil for cooking.

Procedure:

1. Peel the butternut squash and cut into 1\” cubes. Cut potatoes into 3/4\” cubes.
2. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a heavy bottomed, preferably non-stick fryingpan over high heat.
3. Throw in the panch-phoron and four split green chilies. When the seeds stop spattering, carefully add the potatoes.
4. Fry for about 3 minutes over high heat.
5. Now add the squash and fry for another 5 to 7 minutes, taking care that the vegetables are stirred often to prevent burning.
6. Put in the curry powder and one heaping tsp turmeric. Lower the heat to medium, stir and fry until the
   powdered spices lose their raw smell (about 2 minutes).
7. Add salt to taste (normally I add 1 tablespoon to this amount).
8. Sprinkle 1/2 cup hot tap water over vegetables and simmer, covered, over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
9. In the mean time, in a separate frypan, heat 1 tablespoon oil, add the shirmp and fry very briefly over high heat.
10. Add to vegetables, and cook, covered, for another 5 minutes.
11. Now carefully stir to check if the vegetables are done.
12. Add sugar to taste and pour in the blended mustard paste from the blender.
13. Turn off heat immediately.
14. Stir it in and keep covered until flavors mix.
15. If you prefer hot food and the green chilies have failed to make the dish hot enough for you, you can add either a tsp of ground red chili powder or a handful of chopped green chilies. 
16. Serve with hot steamed rice or parathas.
     
    Source: Bharati Mitra

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