butternut squash and other unsolicited thoughts about curry

2 weeks and 2 days until Ironman Arizona and the taper is on! Our approach to training has been different this time, focusing on key sessions that will give me the confidence that i can put together a good Ironman. I feel really good.

Since I am training less, I have had more time for other things I enjoy, so one afternoon I spent a couple hours making a chicken and butternut squash curry. Having spent my highschool years in the middle east, I have a lot of experience with curries; Indian curry, Thai curry, Arabic curry, I love it all.

As a triathlete, I don't really have time to make a proper curry (anyone who knows anything about curry will tell you that it takes days, not hours, to make a good curry). So here is a recipe for an easy curry that i learned along the way;

1. Partially fry 2-4 large chicken breasts in a big frying pan with onions.
2. At the same time, put a whole butternut squash in the oven for 45mins.
3. Add curry powder, cumin and cinnamon to the chicken. (Now, dont ask me how much because i dont know. At a guess; 5tbsp curry powder, 2tbsp cumin, 1tbsp cinnamon?). If your curry power is not hot (most arent) and you like it hot, then add some chilli sauce (or not, in the case of Loopy-Lou!).
4. Keep frying the chicken and spices until its fully cooked, then put it all in a big pot.
5. Add as many vegetables as you can fit in your pot!
6. Add something juicy. I suggest the following: a can of chickpeas or beans with the juices, a can of pineapple with the juices, or a can of chopped tomatoes. Your sauce needs some juice!
7. Add some honey. (Again, amounts, not sure!)
8. Keep the whole concoction simmering on low for 1-2hours. Curry vegetables need to be mushy, not crispy like stirfry.
9. Add more honey if its not sweet enough.
10. Take the butternut squash out of the oven, chop it into little square chunks, add it to the mixture and stir.
11. Now, you're pretty much done.

A few other tips:
1. Leave it overnight, it will taste better!
2. Add a jar of pre-made Tikka Masala, or Rogan Josh. Its kinda cheating, but it tastes good! (Still cook the chicken with the spices, the flavor will be very rich!)
3. Have mango chutney and plain yogurt with it.
4. Use the leftovers to make a wrap the next day OR, my favorite thing, add a big scoop to a bowl of vegetable soup. It adds flavor, protein and a lot of goodness!

Enjoy! And happy Autumn!
S.