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The
intermingling of Arabian, Portuguese and native cultures is reflected in the
cuisine of Goa, which is a unique blend of richness and simplicity- the
constantly recurring notes being struck by the fish and the coconut.
Goa is also unique in the sense that this mixture of East and West
co-exists in a friendly and peaceful lifestyle.
The best of both worlds has been absorbed and knit into a culture very
distinctly different from that of any other part of India. This is well
reflected in its cuisine.
In
the villages, food is generally cooked on wood fires in clay pots.
Homesick Goans the world over dream and reminiscence about the
simple life and food of their childhood days, trying to re-create the smoky
flavor of the mid-day curry and the glass of fresh toddy. Even
today, most homes in Goan villages have preserved the tradition of wood fires
and clay pots.
The
requisites for authentic Goan cooking are certain ingredients peculiar to it.
Hardly any Goan dish is complete without coconut as one of the main
flavoring agents.
Fresh coconut, in one form or the other, is added or grated, ground fine
into a paste or in the form of a milk, extracted from the flesh of the fresh
coconut. These
ripe coconuts are available in every open market in Goa and often in grocery
stores too.
For
most Goan fish and meat dishes, red, dried chilies / peppers are used.
The Goan native chili / pepper is large and pungent.
It gives red colour to the cooking without the fierce pungency of the
normal Indian chili / pepper.
Since the Goan chili / pepper is not always easy to obtain, the Kashmiri chili
/ pepper is used instead.
It has the same qualities as the Goan red, dried chili / pepper.
This red dried chilies / peppers form the major ingredient for the
ground spices in most fish and meat dishes.
For those intending to taste
Goan and Indian cuisine in restaurants, It might be worthwhile to mention the grade of
"spiciness" at the time of ordering the food; generally described as
-mild , moderate or spicy
hot!!!. For the uninitiated it would be well
worth it to start with a "mild spicy version".
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The
Soup in Goa and Goan homes originated with the serving of “Pez”, rice gruel,
served in almost all village homes at around eleven in the morning.
This is usually accompanied by a piece of Mango pickle (known as
“Aamli” in Konkani) and or dry fish roasted or fried in oil.
With the added vegetables, beans, and bits of meat or
fish it is a meal in itself. This
soup is popularly known as Sopa Grossa.
Sopa
Grossa
This
soup consist of "Pez" with chicken, mutton, beef or vegetables, rice, fresh beans, spring
onion, cabbage, green peas, chick peas, tomatoes etc.
Caldo
It
is a soup of feasts and no wedding buffet or an important celebration is complete
without it. Great attention is given to its preparation, giving it just that desired
amount of piquancy.
This
soup is made of chicken, milk, corn flour, cheddar cheese, salt and pepper to
taste.
Bolinas
Queijo
This
soup is made of flour (sieved), butter and salt to taste.
Canja
de Galinha
This
soup consists of chicken, onions, clove garlic, turmeric, green peas, salt and
pepper to taste.
Shellfish
Soup
This
soup is made of mussels or divined prawns, rice, onions, clove garlic, ginger,
garam masala, and white wine.
Caldo
Verde
This
soup is made of potatoes (boiled), onions, clove garlic, meat or
vegetable, spinach, and salt and pepper to taste.
Sopa
de Cenuova
This
soup is made of carrots, meat or vegetables, onions, clove garlic,
tomatoes, flour, sugar, milk, butter and nutmeg.
Sopa
de Cebola
This
soup is made of butter, onions, clove garlic, flour, sugar, beef, mutton or chicken,
dry red wine and bread croutons.
Sopa
de Ervilhas
This
soup is made of of dried peas, onions, chicken or vegetables, diced
potatoes and bacon.
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Fish is one of the most important ingredients of Goan cuisine. For all practical
purposes, “fish curry and rice” is without doubt Goa's staple diet. All along the
coast, fishing trawlers can be seen casting their nets
to collect the bounty of the Arabian Sea. The catch usually consist of king fish,
mackerels, sardines, shark fish, squid, sting rays, other small fish of many varieties and then the lower sea fish like prawns of
all sizes, crabs, mussels, oysters and crayfish. The Pomphret sometimes called
"Plaice", is not a common
find, and hence is more expensive. During low tides, the smaller shellfish are collected usually by the
womenfolk and children of fishermen and sold fresh in the market
place. During the monsoon months (June-September), fresh fish is scarce and
is sold at a premium
. During this season salted shrimp and mackerels prepared in many different ways, find their way to the family table.
Traditional Fish Curry
It is made of of prawns (peeled / divined ) or sliced fish, green chilies or peppers (deseeded), onion, grated
coconut, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cloves garlic. Red dried chilies or peppers, ginger, turmeric powder
and tamarind pulp.
Sorak
This is a curry made without fish during the monsoon season. It goes well with a
variety of pickles and or salted fish prepared in the Goan inimitable style. Eggs
are sometimes used to garnish
the Sorak. The Sorak itself consists of grated coconut, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cloves garlic, turmeric powder, dried
chilies or peppers, onion, green chilies or peppers (deseeded) and tamarind pulp.
Onion Fish Curry
This consist of prawns, grated coconut, dried chilies or peppers, peppercorns, cloves garlic,
onions, turmeric
powder and salt to taste.
Amottik Fish Curry
This consists of shark fish or sting ray, dried red chilies or peppers, cloves garlic, ginger, peppercorns,
cloves, cinnamon, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, sugar, vinegar, oil, onions, curry leaves and salt to
taste.
Crab Curry
This consists of large crabs boiled (only body and claws), red chilies or peppers,
cumin seeds, turmeric
powder, cloves garlic, ginger, oil, onion, grated coconut, garam masala, tamarind pulp and salt to
taste.
Oyster Pie
This consists of Oysters, butter, tomatoes, cloves garlic, green chilies (de-seeded), flour, milk, eggs,
soup cubes (vegetable or chicken), boiled peas, grated cheese, breadcrumbs and salt to taste.
Fried Fish Fingers / Shellfish Platter
This commonly consists of about four fish fillets, twelve large prawns, twelve large oysters, twelve mussels and juice of two
lemons, salt and pepper to taste, breadcrumbs, eggs and oil.
Fish Temperade
This is specially made of shellfish, crabs, prawns, mussels, clams etc.
Fish Recheiado
This consists of mackerels, lemon juice, turmeric, oil and salt to taste.
Prawn Temperado
This usually consists of about twelve large prawns, white pumpkin, red chilies, ginger, coconut milk, green
chilies,
turmeric powder and salt to taste.
Fish Balchao
This is made of fish fillets, large prawns, cloves garlic, turmeric powder,, ginger, red dried
chilies, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, sugar, dried shrimps, oil, onion, tomato puree and salt to taste.
Langouste Balchao
The big Cray-fish, called langouste is sometimes mistaken for the
lobster. It is often called a lobster on a menu, and priced accordingly also. It is made of
Cray fish, oil, onion, green chilies, tomatoes, Recheiado masala, dried shrimps,
sugar and salt to taste.
Portuguese Sardines
This is made of sardines, olive oil, tomato puree, pepper corns, clove garlic, sugar, vinegar and salt to
taste.
Fofos de Peixe
This is made of Fish, pepper corns, potato (boiled), eggs, clove garlic, ginger, green
chilies, lemon
juice, coriander, bread crumbs, oil and salt to taste.
Caldeirada
This is made of fish, large prawns, coconut grated, coriander, cumin seeds, cloves garlic, ginger,
onions,
tomato, green chilies, lemon juice and salt to taste.
Fish Guisado
This is made of Fish / fillet, oil, onions, ginger, cloves garlic, green chilies, tomatoes, turmeric
powder, vinegar and salt to taste.
Apa de
This is made of rice, grated coconut, toddy, eggs, prawn Balchao, butter, sugar and salt to taste.
Fish Moile
This is made of fish / prawn, coconut grated, oil, onions, tomatoes, green chilies, ginger, turmeric
powder and salt to taste.
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The
popularity of Feni, the native alcoholic drink of Goa is attested to by the fact
that practically every third little house is a “Tavern”.
In general the two types of Feni available are based on what it is
created from. Coconut Feni is made
from toddy, the fermented sap of the coconut tree and cashew Feni is the
fermented juice of the cashew fruit.
Feni
cocktails
Feni
cocktails are a must in every cocktail bar of every hotel in Goa.
The rating do not matter. These
cocktail sharpen one’s appetite for food, be it lunch, snacks or dinner and
creates the mood for conversation.
Sangria
It
consists
of water, sugar, cinnamon, ripe orange, brandy, ice cubes and red wine
This
refreshing drink comes from an old recipe from “those were the days” of the
40’s and earlier. It was made to
welcome homecoming relatives and guests. Children
were given a sip or two as an indulgence. This
magic still holds.
Fidalgo's
Punch
It
consists
of coconut Feni, rum, lemon juice, Angostura bitters, sugar, orange juice, and
nutmeg decorated with a slice of orange and a sprig of mint.
The
Goan Punch
It
consists
of ice cubes, coconut Feni and coffee liqueur.
Sun
Kissed Cocktail
It
consists
of coconut cream, coconut Feni, pineapple juice, ice cubes decorated with wedge
of pineapple and a cherry.
Holiday
Sparkle
It
consists of coconut Feni, ice, sugar and lemon juice and wine.
Sol
de Orange
It
consists of coconut
Feni, ice and orange juice garnished with a slice of orange.
For
longer drink, it is topped with lemonade or soda water.
Tambre
Maria
or Bloody Mary
It
consists
of Feni, ice cubes, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, pinch of salt, pepper,
sugar and Tabasco sauce decorated with fresh celery and a sprig of mint.
Frozen
Pineapple
It
consists
of pineapple, sugar, lemon juice, coconut Feni decorated with half a ring of
pine apple.
Song
Of Goa
It
consists
of black tea, orange liqueur and some lemon peel into a saucepan, coconut Feni and ice cubes.
It is reportedly guaranteed
to make you sing till the wee hours of the morning.
Orchata
This
is a drink originally made with almonds or cashew nuts.
Orchata has a cooling effect on a hot summer day.
It contains no alcohol.
It consists
of cashew nuts, water, sugar, rose water or orange flower water, almond essence
and citric acid.
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While imbibing Feni, one is treated to an array of
mouth watering Goan snacks.
These are unique to Goa and never quite taste the same anywhere else.
Rissois
de Camarao
These
consist
of prawns, onion, grated cheddar cheese, milk and butter.
Salt
Fish Balls
These
consist
of dried salted mackerels, onion, cloves garlic, green chilies (de-seeded),
eggs, potatoes, rice flour, salt and pepper to taste.
Sour
– Hot Sauce
It
consists of pepper corns,
dried chilies, cloves garlic, fresh ginger, tamarind and vinegar.
Mandare
It
consists
of orange pumpkin, rice flour fried in oil.
Croquettes
It
consists
of minced mutton or beef, red chilies (dry), green chilies (de-seeded),
cloves, ginger, cloves garlic, bread, eggs.
Mussels
in Shell
These
consist
of mussels, red chilies or peppers, cloves garlic, ginger, masala, cumin seeds,
vinegar, sugar, onion.
Baked Caranguejos
(Crabs)
These
consist
of crabs, butter, onion, tomatoes, green chilies or peppers, cloves garlic,
ginger, eggs, breadcrumbs and coriander leaves.
King
Prawns
These
are king prawns that are fried and served.
They are fried applying a paste made of red chilies or peppers, clove
garlic, ginger, garam masala, Cummins seed, vinegar, sugar and onion.
Stuffed
Papads
They
are usually stuffed with prawns, onion chopped fine, green chilies or peppers,
cloves garlic and fried in oil.
Many
varieties
of stuffed Papads are served in almost all restaurants of Goa like vegetarian
stuffed masala papa etc.
Fried
Fish Platter
These
consist
of fish fillets, large prawns, oysters, mussels, lemon juice, eggs, breadcrumbs,
salt and pepper to taste.
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There are some very popular vegetarian dishes, enjoyed by all and
some prepared on special occasions. Beans, lentils and vegetables are usually grown in the rice fields
of Goa after harvesting. Most of these vegetables are cooked with grated coconut and some with a sprinkling of tiny
prawns.
Pez
This consists of Goan rice
(also known as Ukade rice that are reddish in color and thick grained), water and salt to taste.
This is usually eaten with pickle or Papads or dried roasted fish or prawn curry
(very thick). Pez is very popular in Goan homes and usually eaten at
around 11.00 am everyday. Pez is also considered to be the best for patients
recuperating from illness. It is also given to babies for weaning as their first solid food.
Feigoada
This is made of dried black-eyed beans, oil, onion, tomatoes, cloves, ginger,
turmeric powder, tamarind pulp, chili powder / paprika powder, salt to taste and coconut milk.
Kokum Curry (Binda Fruit)
This is made of grated coconut, green
chilies, gloves garlic, pinch of asafetida, kokum peels and salt to taste.
Sprouted Lentil Curry
This consists / made of sprouted green lentils
( Moog Dal), grated coconut, peppercorns, cinnamon, cloves, cloves garlic, oil, mustard seeds, curry leaves, onion, peanuts, tamarind pulp, sugar and salt to
taste.
Breadfruit Curry
This is made / consists of large breadfruit, water, grated coconut, onion, red
chilies, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cloves garlic, ginger, curry leaves, turmeric powder, sugar, tamarind pulp, sugar and salt to taste.
Pungent Feijoada
This is made / consists of red
beans, dried peppers, cloves, cumin seeds, grated coconut, oil onion, tamarind pulp and salt to taste.
Rice Bread
This is made / consists rice flour, grated coconut, onion, coriander, sugar,
green chilies, de-seeded, salt to taste and butter (ghee).
Sannas
This is made / consists of rice, grated coconut, toddy, sugar and salt to taste.
Sannas without Toddy.
This is made of boiled rice, raw rice, white lentils (known as Udad), dry yeast and
salt to taste.
Arroz
This is made / consists of Basmati rice, ghee (clarified butter), onion, cloves,
cinnamon, cardamoms, vegetable cubes, fresh lemon juice, olives and green peas.
Coconut Pulao
Made / consists of Basmati rice, Ghee (butter), onion, cloves, cinnamon,
cardamoms, coconut milk, fresh lemon juice, green peas, cauliflower, cashew nuts
and salt to taste.
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The typical Goan is a meat and fish eater with a preference for pork, chicken,
beef and mutton. The usual daily meal is “fish curry and rice” along with other various
accompaniments. The evening meal usually consists of a meat dish with a salad or cooked vegetable. Pork and chicken are generally cooked for special
occasions and on Sundays in Goan homes. The ingredients used in Goan meat dishes
are common for chicken, pork, beef and mutton. Because of its significant
Christian population, Goa is one of the few places in India where Pork is
eaten with relish and accepted by society.
Pork is is taboo to both Hindus and Muslims in
India and the significance of this is amply illustrated by what the British
termed as "The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. It was the first Indian attempt
to overthrow the British and it began with the native Indian soldiers refusing
to use the pork grease used for their rifles, thus triggering the mutiny. It
was subsequently crushed.
A quintessential famous Goan dish is
“Sorpotel” , It is a pork dish and is today available in most beach side restaurants.
“Sorpotel” is usually prepared four to five days in advance. It is warmed up
once a day until the day it is served and eaten with “Sanna”, a steamed rice
muffin.
Sorpotel
Consists of boneless pork, pork liver, tongue, kidneys, red dried chilies,
peppers, peppercorns, cloves garlic, ginger, cumin seeds, cloves, cinnamon, vinegar, oil, coconut feni, green
chilies, peppers, onion and salt to taste.
Cabidela
Consists of Meat, pork liver, tongue, kidneys, red dried
chilies, peppers, peppercorns, cloves garlic, ginger, cumin seeds, cloves, cinnamon, vinegar, oil
and sugar.
Pork Balchao
Consists of boneless pork, dried red chilies, peppers, peppercorns, cloves,
cinnamon, cumin seeds, cloves garlic, ginger, vinegar, oil, onion, dried prawn powder, sugar.
Pork Baffado
Consists of pork, beef under cut, peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon, cumin seeds,
mustard seeds, fresh coriander, green chilies / peppers, vinegar, lemon size ball tamarind, sugar, onion, oil, and potatoes.
Pork Assado
Consists of pork, red dried chilies, peppers, green chilies, cumin seeds,
peppercorns, ginger, cloves garlic, turmeric powder, oil, tamarind extract, potatoes, onion and tomatoes.
Roast Pigling
Consists of a small pigling, peppercorns, ginger, cloves garlic, juice, lemon,
pork lard / dripping, onion, tomatoes, green chilies / peppers, cloves garlic, coriander, mint leaves, breadcrumbs, green peas, potatoes and salt to taste.
Pork Vindaloo
Consists of pork, red dried chilies / peppers, peppercorns, cloves
garlic, ginger, cinnamon, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, sugar, vinegar, oil, coconut feni, onion and salt to taste.
Pickled Pork
Consists of pork, vinegar, red chilies / pepper, turmeric powder, cumin
seeds, peppercorns, cloves garlic, oil and salt to taste.
Spiced Pork Sausages
Consists of pork (boneless), vinegar, turmeric powder, red
chilies / peppers, garlic pods, ginger, peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon, cumin seeds and
beef.
Girem - Mirem
Consists of pork, oil, onion, tomato, green chilies, coriander leaves,
cumin seeds, peppercorns in vinegar, ginger, turmeric powder and salt to taste.
Chicken Xacuti (Shakuti)
Consists of Chicken, grated coconut, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, poppy
seeds, turmeric powder, red dried chilies, grated nutmeg, aniseed, fennel seeds, oil, onion, green
chilies, tamarind pulp.
Chicken Galinha Cafreal
Consists of Chicken, green chilies / peppers, ginger, cloves garlic,
coriander seeds, cumin seeds, garam masala, lemon juice, oil, onion, tomatoes, potatoes.
Chicken Coconut Curry
Consists of Chicken, oil, onion, coconut milk, cloves garlic, ginger,
coriander powder, cumin powder, green chilies / peppers, tomatoes and salt to taste.
Bife de Goa
Consists of beef undercut, peppercorns, cloves garlic, onion, potatoes,
tomatoes, olive oil, red dried chilies, peppers and vinegar.
Spiced Roast Beef
Consists of beef (sirloin), cloves garlic, ginger, lemon juice, oil,
peppercorns, cinnamon, cloves, red dried chilies / peppers, Worcestershire sauce,
corn flour and potatoes.
Feijoada
Consists of dried black-eyed beans, onion, vinegar, tomatoes, recheiado
masala, cloves garlic, ginger, oil, pork, Goan sausages and salt to taste.
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Pickles made of green Mangoes are most popular in Goa. It is made from a
variety of mixed recipes / masala. The pickles are cooked or from fresh fruit or sun cooked.
Mango Water Pickle
This is usually made of small raw green mangoes (seeds still unformed) with a mixture
of red dried chilies / paprika and peppercorns and salt.
Korum
This pickle is quickly made for daily use. This is made of raw green mangoes
(seeds still unformed or removing the seed) with green chilies, peppers, salt
and water.
Green Mango Chutney
This chutney is made of large green mangoes, grated coconut, green chilies,
peppers, cloves garlic, cumin seeds, sugar, mint leaves, sprig of coriander,
lemon juice and salt.
All the above ingredients are put in a grinder after cutting the mangoes to
small pieces and blend smooth.
Coconut Pickled Fish Relish
This pickle / chutney is made of pickled mackerel (fish), oil, grated coconut,
tamarind pulp, onion, chilies / peppers, cloves garlic, sugar, and fresh coriander
.
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Goan sweets have their origin both in Portugal and also the local Konkan region. At Christmas,
trays of delicacies are produced and consumed. After the Christmas midnight
mass, families visit each other and share a slice of the Christmas cake and a glass of
wine. The next morning there is an exchange of sweets, with each tray covered with a
home made Christmas Crib and a Christmas star. Each locality usually has a
competition to judge the best Star and the Crib.
Goan sweets have the coconut either thinly sliced or in the form of its
juice.
Bibinca
This sweet is very popular in Goa. It is made of coconut milk, yolks, flour,
grated nutmeg, cardamom essence, and clarified butter (ghee).
Sans Rival
This is a delicious cake and is made of eggs (white), castor sugar, almonds,
baking powder, cream and cherries.
Cocada
This is a coconut sweet and is made of sugar, water, eggs yolk, grated coconut,
fresh bread cut into small cubes, almond essence and raisins.
Coconut Macaroons
This is made of flour, salt, castor sugar, clarified butter (ghee), vanilla and
almond essence.
Dodol
This is a soft sweetmeat. This is prepared of raw rice, grated coconut, jaggery
(coconut molasses), cashew nuts, butter and vanilla essence.
Neurios
Neurios are basically prepared from flour and filled / stuffed with raisins,
cashew nuts, grated coconut, sesame seeds, granulated sugar and cardamom powder.
