Author Dianne Hartsock sent her main character from her paranormal e-book, Trials of a Lonely Specter to visit us today. Thanks, Dianne for this recipe, er, I mean, thanks Quinn for sharing this curry recipe with us. To be eligible to win Dianne's book, leave a comment on what kind of pie you prefer...apple or pumpkin. Yes, that's your only choices for entering the contest. I imagine there will be some very interesting comments on this. Thanks, Everyone, for participating.
Quinn knows that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and Liam is no exception. Trying to intice Liam to appear, who, for a ghost, has some curiously earthy appetites, he cooked this up for dinner last night. Once the rich, spicy aroma started to fill the house, it was only a matter of minutes before the specter appeared at the table, blue eyes sparkling with hunger. Quinn counts this one a success!
Cashew, Coconut, and Pumpkin Curry |
Cashew, Coconut, and Pumpkin Curry
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 qts. peeled, 1 1/2-in. chunks
pumpkin or other orange-fleshed squash (from a 3-lb. squash)
- About 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 1 onion, halved and cut into
half-moons
- 1 or 2 red or green serrano chiles,
minced
- 1 cinnamon stick (2 1/2 in. long)
- 20 fresh curry leaves* or 6 dried bay
leaves
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 can (14.5 oz.) coconut milk
- 1 cup salted roasted cashews
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Steamed basmati rice
Preparation
- 1. Sprinkle pumpkin with 1/2 tsp.
salt. Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a large nonstick frying pan over medium-high
heat. Brown half the pumpkin in oil, turning once, 6 to 8 minutes; reduce
heat if pumpkin starts getting dark. Transfer to a bowl and repeat with 1
tbsp. oil and remaining pumpkin.
- 2. Heat remaining 1 tbsp. oil
meanwhile in another large frying pan over medium heat. Cook onion,
stirring occasionally, until deep golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer half
to the nonstick frying pan and reserve other half in a bowl.
- 3. Add chiles, cinnamon, and curry
leaves to onion in pan. Cook, stirring often, until curry leaves are very
fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add turmeric, cumin, and remaining 1/2 tsp.
salt and cook, stirring, until spices are fragrant, about 1 minute.
- 4. Return pumpkin to nonstick frying pan (with onion) and add coconut milk. Bring to a boil over high heat, then cover, reduce heat, and simmer until pumpkin is tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in cashews and lemon juice, and add more salt to taste. Top curry with reserved onion and serve with rice.
Trials of a Lonely Specter
MuseItUp Publishing, October 14, 2011 http://bit.ly/rhfkBG
Amazon: http://amzn.to/oSJqEX
There’s been an
accident. Quinn believes he’s dead, though Liam insists otherwise. But if that
is the case, why does Quinn see the two of them as ghosts? And why does Liam
play along? Exposed to mediums and apparitions, Quinn has to make a decision:
either accept his fate or risk everything to trust Liam one more time.
Excerpt:
The room darkened
as Liam walked through an archway on the left and he hurried to follow him. He
would have liked to take some time to examine the furnishing and tapestries of
the parlor, but Liam pressed on. Quinn finally caught him at the far end of the
room.
“Where’re we
going?”
“We’ll find
Betterford’s body reposing in the highest room of the tallest tower.”
Quinn gave him a
dry look. “Wasn’t that for the ‘Sleeping Beauty’?”
“So I’ve heard,”
Liam purred, looking like he was about to eat the canary.
Quinn didn’t like the eager way he
swept through the kitchen to the servants’ staircase.
He tramped up the
dark stairs in the apparition’s wake. Liam’s werelight was a mere flicker in
his hand, casting eerie shadows on the close walls. Quinn was huffing by the
time they reached the third flight and Liam stopped to let him catch his
breath.
“Quinn?”
He looked up at
the fond tone. Liam stood several steps above, curiously watching him. “You’re
a ghost, my dear. You should be gliding up these stairs.”
Quinn’s mouth fell
open. “I forgot,” he confessed. His eyes dropped, waiting for Liam’s mocking
laughter. It never came. Instead, the man descended the stairs until he stood
level with him. Quinn held his breath as the hand that held the werelight
touched his cheek.
“You give me
hope,” Liam said surprisingly. “Here, let me help you.” He slipped his arm
through Quinn’s.
They fairly flew
up the steps after that. Quinn laughed with the exhilaration that raced through
him. He’d never felt so free. He wanted to burst through the roof and fly
straight into the night. Liam grinned, sharing his joy in the sensation of
weightlessness and speed.
All too soon they
spilled into the hallway far above. Their laughter died at the grimness of the
shadowy corridor. Quinn winced when Liam suddenly grabbed his hand. The
spirit’s eyes glowed with anticipation.
He leaned close.
“Trust me, Quinn.” His voice was shaking and the man cleared his throat.
“Whatever you think of me after this, please remember that I want the best for
you. For us.”
“I don’t
understand.”
Liam shook his
head, clearly disappointed by his answer. Tugging on his hand, he led him to a
door in the middle of the corridor.
Quinn stared at
the closed door, reluctant to open it. “Betterford’s in there?”
Liam made a
noncommittal sound. They stood side-by-side looking at the door until a smile
lifted the corner of Liam’s mobile mouth. “Are you going to open it, or are we
staying out here all night?”
Dianne Hartsock
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/#!/diannehartsock