---

Famous dishes of Goa you must try

Over the years, the blending of diverse cultures has influenced Goa's food. The final product is hot, lip-smacking, and really Goan cuisine. Given that this state is characterised by a tropical climate, this cuisine is distinguished by its liberal use of spices and condiments. This article brings you the top 12 dishes in Goa that you should treat your taste buds to.

Goa is a state on the west coast of India, situated close to the Arabian Sea. Its cuisine is sassy and spicy—and that's just how we like it!

The most common dishes are rice and fish curry. Rice and coconut milk are used as ingredients in most dishes. The main spices used include kokum and tamarind.

Goa's cuisine is heavily influenced by Portuguese cuisine, which can be seen in its heavy use of seafood, such as shark, tuna, pomfret, and mackerel fish. The state is situated on the west coast of India close to the Arabian Sea so seafood is a staple here.

Here is a list of 10 dishes you must try to truly experience Goan cuisine.

1) Goan Fish Curry

Since it is a cornerstone of every Goan's diet, Goan fish curry, also known as Xitti Kodi, is a well-known dish from Goa. The Goan fish curry is flavoured with a variety of spices and coconut. To give the dish a tart flavour, raw mango is also added. A sizable Pomfret and raw mango make up the dish's key ingredients. Kingfish may also be used in place of pomfret. Rice is served with this Goan meal.

Fish curry from Goa is the ideal fusion of hot and coconut flavours. It is a curry filled with coastal tastes that is sweet, tangy, and spicy. Rice and Goan fish curry are two dishes that are commonly eaten in Goa.

Goan fish curry has grown in popularity over the years and is one of the most popular fish dishes in India. It can be had for lunch or dinner.

2) Chicken Cafrael

Cafreal chicken is a mouthwatering dish with a green colour and a spicy flavour. The masala for the chicken is made by grinding together green chilies, herbs, and different spices. The chicken is then cooked after being combined with this masala. Although it is not necessary to serve a side dish with this Goan dish, salads can be.

Chicken cafcafrael is simultaneously hot, rustic, somewhat acidic, intensely aromatic, and fantastic!

Words can't express how delicious this dish is!

When the chicken is almost done, some people add a splash of rum, which gives the dish a great, festive ending. Served with a side of salad, potato wedges, or fries, and you have a full, healthy dinner!

3) Chicken Xacuti

Chicken Xacuti, which is pronounced "sha-kooti," is a traditional Goan dish that uses a wide variety of the region's spices to create a flavorful, complex dish. Instead of using flour or cornstarch, Indian cuisine relies on ingredients like ground nuts or, in this instance, ground dried coconut, to thicken its dishes. Naturally gluten-free and paleo, chicken Xacuti.

You will love this delicious Goan meal, which is layered with flavours.

The traditional chicken curry Chicken Xacuti, which is made with coconut, is a staple of all festive and joyous occasions in Goan homes, whether they be Christian or Hindu.

Chicken xacuti evokes the lush tropical essence and natural wealth of India's Konkan coast, much like chicken cafreal, prawn balchao, sorpotel, and bebinca. It also demonstrates the successful blending of regional culinary customs and Portuguese influences that characterises Goan cuisine.

4) Pork Vindaloo

Vin is derived from the word vinegar, while in Portuguese, ahlo is the word for garlic. It is stated that this Goan dish was originally known as vindahlo, but people began calling it vindaloo since it included potatoes (aloo means potatoes). Pork, onions, garlic, chilies, vinegar, and other spices are all included in this dish. Along with the typical suspects of hot dry red chiles and peppercorns, these are the main components of this well-known pork recipe. According to folklore, the Indians added the chiles and pepper to the Portuguese cuisine, which was more like to a garlicky stew.

Chilies and other seasonings are used to make the masala, which is then combined with the meat and vinegar. The overnight storage of this mixture. Onions and other herbs are then added to the meal.

5) Sorpotel

A Konkani term that means alcohol or liquor is "soro." A well-known dish from Goa is sorpotel, often referred to as sarapatel. Goan sorpotel is a spicy pork gravy dish served with sanna or even some sweet bread. It is best consumed after a few days.For this meal, liver from either beef or mutton is used. The fat is fried while the meat is parboiled.

Traditional Goan Pork Sorpotel is produced from a variety of key pig organs and offals, in addition to pork flesh and liver. There are numerous variations of this meal, with East Indians, Goans, and Mangalorians all having their own versions. My mother prepares it according to this recipe. She also receives glowing reviews for it.

Along with additional spices and herbs, onions, garlic, and the masala that has been created are added. Although sorpotel can be eaten at any time of the day, some people prefer to have it first thing in the morning.

6) Feijoada

The ingredients for feijoada, a thick, spicy, tangy red gravy with a rich flavour, are red kidney beans and beef or pork sausages. To prepare feijoada, we utilise Goa Pork Sausages in Goa. The Portuguese word "Feijo," which means "Beans," is where the name Feijoada originates.

Red beans and pork are stewed together in this recipe. The recipe for Goan feijoada has Portuguese influences. To make this dish, salted pork, masala, and red beans are mixed together and fried. For the gravy, coconut milk may be substituted for the water because it will bring a distinctive flavour and make the sauce richer. Rice or pois are served with goan feijoada.

7) Samarachi Kodi

A dish made during the monsoons is samarachikodi. It is a dry curry made with prawns. In the old days, when Goa was shut during the monsoons and households were stocked with dry prawns, dry fish, and sausages to endure till the end of the monsoons, residents would understand the significance of this dinner.

The main ingredients in a friend with a spicy, tangy masala are dry prawns, onion, coconut, tamarind, and tomatoes. To give it the customary flavour and texture, coconut milk is added. Some people substitute Bombay ducks for prawns. The ideal side dish for samarachikodi is hot rice and pickles.

8) Crab Xacuti

A well-known Goan dish is crab xacuti. This dish's preparation is comparable to that of Chicken Xacuti. However, before continuing, the crabs must first be properly stripped of their claws and then cooked for 15 minutes. To give the curry a thicker, fluffier consistency, eggs may be added.

The Goan crab xacuti recipe is really basic and straightforward. The recipe calls for simple, readily accessible spices. Freshly grated coconut, entire spices, and onions make up the gravy's masala. Each of these items must be sautéed in coconut oil until browned, which is crucial. Although it takes a little time, this step will improve the gravy's flavour and give it a lovely dark brown hue.

9) Bebinca

Bebinca, the queen of Goan desserts, is deserving of all the praise it receives for the laborious process that produces this mouthwatering treat. This style of delicacy, also known as Bibik or Bebinka, is cooked using an Indo-Portuguese recipe and has seven delectable layers and loads of affection. Before lining the pan, the batter is put into it and covered with a covering of bay leaves. The dessert has a rich flavour since the dish employs caramelised sugar rather than plain old sugar.

10) Fish Recheado

Recheado masala is a Goan dish with a Portuguese name that means "stuffed." It has a traditional Goan masala's balanced flavour of spiciness, sourness, and slight sweetness.

Like rava fried mussels, recheado packed mackerels are a common dish on the menus of all Goan beach shacks and eateries. With a cold beverage to wash it all down, these dishes are ideal! So be sure to sample these mouthwatering treats or prepare some of your own the next time you are in Goa. It's also not that difficult:)

11) Sannas

Sanna or Sannas, which are spongy steamed rice cakes, are the Goan/Mangalorean equivalent of idlis. It is made using a batter that includes freshly grated coconut and ground red rice. Coconut and rice are mashed with toddy (fermented coconut water). The batter is then cooked and allowed to ferment. For sorpotel, xacuti, chicken curry, and other meat curries, sannas are a common side dish. They complement these spicy and acidic gravies well because they have a subtle sweetness to them.

12) Choris Pao

These are a popular choice among Goans. They are pronounced "Cho-rees" and are written "choris" or "chouriços." They are traditionally produced in Goa from pork.

These spicy sausages are stir-fried with lots of onions and a few potatoes after being cooked. The sausages' hot masala imparts a flavorful, overwhelming scent to the stuffing. It tastes divine when paired with Goan "pao" or "poee/poi" (whole-wheat flour bread). Most people end up eating two or even more of the bread that has this stuffing inside since it is so delicious.

Posted On : 01/11/2022

Written By : Goan Gypsy Girl