Potato, Butternut Squash and Mixed Pepper curry

I do not know what to call this dish. I just thought of few ingredients to begin with and then made it up as I kept cooking. So, yet to find a name for it. But, I did take some influences of 'Kadai Masala' cooking which is popular in North India.This recipe is quick, simple and packed with flavours.I always make my own spice powders and try a different combination each time. This time I kept it very simple. So, lets have a look at the spice mix.

Coriander seeds - 2 tbsp
Dry red chillies- 2 nos
Cumin seeds-1tbsp
Cinnamon stick-1
Fenugreek seeds- 1 tsp
Dry roast all the above spices in the pan for about 2-3 minutes on a medium flame and make a coarse powder out of them either using a pestle and mortar or spice blender.

Vegetables-
potatoes- cubed- 250gm
Butternut Squash-cut into 1/2 inch-200gm
Red pepper-1
Yellow pepper-1
Chopped onion- 1
sliced Green chillies-2
Ginger- 25gm-ground into paste with garlic
Garlic-25 gm
Chopped tomatoes in can -400 gms
chopped Coriander leaves- 1 bunch
Garnishes- single cream and roasted peanuts.


Whole Spices-
Bay leaves- 2
Cloves-4
Cumin seeds- 1 tsp
Cardamom pods- 3
Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
Method -
Heat vegetable oil in a deep thick bottom pan on medium heat and all the whole spices to it.
Sauté the whole spices for a minute and let the oil get infused with all the whole spices.
Add the turmeric powder and 2 tbsp of the ground spice powder. Cook for about another minute.
Add the chopped onions and green chillies and cook at least for 10 minutes till the onions have caramelised .
Add ginger and garlic paste and sauté for another 5 minutes.
Add potatoes and stir them till they are well coated with the onion and spice mix.
 After 5 minutes add the butternut squash and  salt.
Add chopped tomatoes and then stir in the peppers.Add just enough water to cover the veggies and let them simmer for about good 12-15 minutes.
The starch from the potatoes will thicken the sauce and you will end up with a sauce of coating consistency.

Check for the potatoes if they are cooked. They should be well cooked but not mushy.
Check for the seasoning and add more salt if needed.
Add the chopped coriander leaves and finish it with a swirl of single cream.
Sprinkle some roasted peanuts or any nuts of your choice or no nuts at all if you are allergic.
Serve hot with steamed rice or chapatis.