Embark on a Culinary Journey with Goan Cuisine – Try Now

There are no doubts about the fact that food is something that binds all of us together. When we are sad, we love eating our favourite comfort food. At the same time, when we are happy, we want to celebrate the same with food. If there is one thing that makes us so comfortable with food is because of the experience it adds. Most of you will have some or other favourite memory for your favourite meals. Today we will talk about one such Indian cuisine, which feels like a warm hug to your gut. Many of you might have guessed by now that it is none other than Goan cuisine.

If you have ever visited Goa, you would know that this is an exceptionally small state in India. However, no matter how small it is, its culture and legacy are worth retaliation. Today’s discussion will discuss another important part of the Goan culture – food. The first and most important thing you must understand is that this is a culturally diverse area. Consequently, the food you get today results from globalization and rich history.

Not only that, when it comes to Goan food, you do not need a lot of exotic elements. The major catch is using the abundant, authentic ingredients available in Goa. Along with that, the recipes we will share towards the end are also quite easy to make. All you need to do is understand the interplay, and this will be quite promising for you to kick-start your culinary journey.

The Evolution of Goan Cuisine From Its Roots:

As many of you would know, Goa is one of the most celebrated parts of India. There are a lot of people who say that this is the place in India that gives you a lot of foreign Vibes. A major reason behind the vibe is because of the history that it has and how Goa evolved from its roots. Consequently, you will notice that this evolution has impacted a lot in the cuisine, and today, Goan cuisine has gone global. You have some of the most iconic dishes which have seen an influx of Portuguese culture.

There is also a sheer mix of Malvani or Konkani cuisine. The best thing about this type of cuisine is that it is not difficult if you want to learn. The only thing that you need to do is be diligent in your pursuit of more!

The Predominance of Goan Cuisine in Coastal Areas

A very important thing about this particular cuisine is its predominant role in the coastal area. As many of you would know, the location of Goa is just on the coast of the Arabian Sea. Consequently, the environment and availability play a key role here. Because of this influence, you will see there are a lot of uses for seafood and various options. Not only that, Goa is a spot on the map that has consistently received a lot of attention; hence, tourism here is booming as well. It also has a major impact that has imprinted on the food.

If we trace the origin of Goan cuisine, we must go back at least 451 years. Why so! It was around this point of time when the Portuguese first came into Goa and settled there. Preceding the Portuguese rule, it was none other than the Sultanate rule. Not only that but because the population of Goa consists of a huge population of Christian people, there is a major catholic influence on the food as well. You will find that in Goa, a staple food is rice and fish because of the availability of the sea route. One of the very popular fish that a lot of people love eating is the kingfish. Usually, in most roadside dhabas and seaside shacks, you will find a rendition of the kingfish curry, and each of them tends to be authentic in its own way.

Variety of Fish in Goan Cuisine

Along with the kingfish, there is a predominant use of other types of fish like pomfret, mackerel, prawns, king prawns, crabs, shellfish, squid, and lobsters. Do you know why fish is so popular? A major reason behind it is the easy availability of the same from the Arabian Sea. Not only that the seafood price is also quite low in Goa.

The Portuguese invasion had a clear impact on the food. The Portuguese brought them the culture of eating rice, potatoes, and wine. It was the Portuguese who introduced the concept of Paella in Goa. They also started producing local and cheap beer and port wine in Goa itself. Another prominent use that you will see in most of the Goan cuisine is vinegar and Kokum. Kokum is a very popular fruit from this part of the country, and it has a juice that is bright red. Kokum adds tartness to your dishes, much like vinegar.

The Popularity of Goan Hindu Cuisine

Another important part of the cuisine is popularly addressed as the Goan Hindu cuisine. Hindu cuisine is also very popular in this part of the state because of the predominantly Hindu population. The major influence on the Goan Hindu cuisine was the Saraswat cuisine. It is usually vegetarian, and there is the predominant use of vinegar, Kokum, fenugreek, asafoetida, and curry leaves. There is also up usage of some of the tastiest vegetables like pumpkin, bamboo shoots, and gourds.

Along with that, a very important fruit used in vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes is none other than coconut. A very important reason why coconut is used so widely is because of its availability as well as the richness that it adds. You can choose to use coconut oil in Goan food, coconut cream, and grated coconut, which is equally popular. One of the most striking features of this particular cuisine is that people like to use fresh produce. You will see that the culture of using fresh produce is restricted to houses, restaurants, and shacks.

Special Goan Dishes That You Must Try Once

While we are talking about the glory of this particular cuisine, it would be unjust if you do not discuss some of the most popular and celebrated dishes. You will notice that in Goa, people come from various parts of the world, yet they all have to try these dishes. Such is the popularity that you will be able to get in most of the good restaurants and small eateries. Some of the very popular dishes that deserve mention in this discussion are:

1. Chicken Vindaloo:

Yes, the first dish we will discuss is none other than Vindaloo, and this one is spicy. Usually, you will notice that one will make gravy with meat, pork, or mutton. But because of the availability, the most predominant meat in Vindaloo is chicken. So what is Vindaloo? 

The term is an amalgamation of two Portuguese words- Alho, which means garlic, and Vinho, which means red wine. As you can make out from the name itself, the dish is made out of a marinade from the two. It is very often regarded that the Vindaloo is a dish for the sailors. It is because the availability of ingredients, in this case, is often quite less. If you can cook Vindaloo in the right way, it is delicious!

2. Prawn Balchao:

The next dish that we are going to talk about is not a main course or a starter. However, if you serve it in a meal, this one will always get more appreciation and attention than any other dish. As you can understand from the introduction, it is none other than the very popular prawn Balchao. In the most simple terms, we can see that it is a pickle prawn that is made out of oil and fiery spices. To make a good Balchao, let the prawns marinate in the mixture for at least a few days after drying it.

The best thing about this dish is that it goes amazing with rice and plain dal. Not only that, you will be able to preserve this dish for months, and you can even enjoy it by carrying it to other places.

3. Goan Red Rice:

When we started the discussion, we had already mentioned the love Goans have for rice. However, at the same time, it is important to note that this is not any other rice that you will get in the market. The speciality of Goa is its very popular and delicious Goan Red Rice. It is an unpolished thick-grain rice, and its colour makes it look extremely exotic. Not only that, you will see that rice is mostly made using coconut milk.

One of the major reasons why coconut milk is used to make this rice is because the thick grain soaks coconut milk very promptly. A unique thing about the rice is that it has an extremely nutty flavor which goes well with most variants of curries.

4. Chicken Cafreal:

When talking about the specialities from Goa, it is almost a major sin if we do not mention the very popular chicken Cafreal. If there is one chicken dish in Goa that you need to try out under all circumstances, then it is the Cafreal. It is a spicy green-coloured dish, and the best thing is that it derives spice from all-natural elements.

You do not need anything on the side to have this chicken Cafreal. You can cut up some salads to balance out the spice and rub some lemon juice on top to enhance the flavours. However, always ensure to use fresh chicken from authentic stores like Zorabian Foods. You may also choose to buy chicken online in Mumbai & Pune and also you can get home delivery for the same Click on this link to find our Chicken store near your location in areas like Goa, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Surat or use our store locator now.

5. Chicken Xacuti:

And finally, the most amazing dish of Goan cuisine, which is nothing less than a household staple, is the very popular chicken Xacuti. The two major ingredients you will need to cook this particular dish are poppy seeds and a dry red chilli paste. The chicken Xacuti is one of those dishes which has become exceptionally popular in the past few years.

There are some amazing sharks by the beach selling some of the most amazing chicken Xacuti you will ever come across. However, if you cannot handle good spice, this is a dish that we will not ask you not to indulge in. Paired with some rice and kokum sharbat, the chicken Xacuti is a stellar recipe. You may opt for ‘raw chicken delivery near me’ and prepare a tasty chicken dish quickly.

Recipes Of Some Of The Most Popular Goan Dishes:

The discussion on the most popular dishes from Goa will remain incomplete if we do not share the most iconic recipes with you. We strongly believe that to get a taste of Goa, you always do not have to visit the same. However, if you are not able to be in Goa, you can cook some of the most authentic Goan dishes at home. Here are some Goan recipes that are quite authentic and can suffice for the purpose of fulfilling your hunger cravings.

1. Chicken Vindaloo:

Ingredients Required

• 2 Packets of Zorabian Chicken Cubes (500 gms each)
• Six red Goan chillies soaked in water for at least a couple of hours.
• Garlic and Ginger chopped – 2 teaspoons each
• Cumin seeds- 2 tablespoons
• Coriander Seeds – 1 tablespoon
• Oil – 3 tablespoons
• Turmeric powder – 1 teaspoon
• Cinnamon Stick – ½ inch
• Green Cardamom – 3 
• Cloves – 3
• Salt to Taste
• White Vinegar – 2 tablespoons
• Jaggery Powder
• Onions – sliced

You first need to grind the ginger garlic, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, cinnamon stick, cardamom, and cloves into a smooth fine paste along with the chillies. You may also dry roast the masala before grinding them together with the ginger and garlic. Once the paste is ready, you can choose to marinate the chicken with the masala. In this case, we suggest you go with the boneless chicken, and you can get the best quality from Zorabian Foods. We have the most quality rich chicken in a very affordable price range. We will deliver to you at your doorstep without any hassles. Next, you need to heat some oil on the pan and then add the marinated chicken. 

Let the chicken simmer in the pan and then slightly increase the heat to get a fried texture. Once you notice that the chicken is getting a brown colour on the top and has a sizzling coating, you can add the onions along with the white vinegar. The vinegar will give a tangy taste to the dish, which is a specific vindaloo taste. Next, put a cover on the chicken and let it simmer on medium heat for another few minutes until it is soft. After some time, take the lid out, add some jaggery powder, and you are good to go. You can also choose to add some coriander leaves before finishing the dish. Buy fresh chicken online prepare your dish quickly and enjoy a delicious meal.

2. Chicken Cafreal:

Ingredients Required:

• 2 Packets of Pre-Cut Chicken Skinless (500 gms each)
• 1 Cup Water
• Salt as Per Taste
• Coriander Leaves – Chopped
• One piece Cinnamon
• 6 Cloves
• Cardamom
• Ginger, chillies, and garlic chopped – 2 tablespoons each
• ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
• One teaspoon vinegar
• One tablespoon of white rum
• Oil – 5 tablespoons
• Onion Rings

 To make a good quality chicken Cafreal, the first thing that you need to do is get good quality chicken. You may opt for chicken home delivery from sellers like Zorabian Foods for the best quality fresh chicken. First, you need to add some salt to the water and let your chicken boil for a good couple of minutes. The next thing you need to do is add all your spices, as well as the Ginger chillies, garlic, and a bit of vinegar and then grind it into a fine paste. Once you have a smooth paste, add the White rum and then rub it again. The next thing you need to do is add oil and the onion rings to the chicken, which is already simmering After you have done that, you need to lower the heat.

Once you see that 10 minutes have passed and the chicken is still cooking, add the rest of the oil and a tablespoon of white rum. Keep cooking the chicken until you see that all the water has evaporated and the chicken is slowly coming into a nice gravy-like mixture. After you see that the chicken is standard and cooked properly, you can serve the same with salad and chips. The chicken Cafreal goes great with your rice as well.

The Final Wrap

At Zorabian Foods, we have the best quality chicken, and you can get it in any cut you want. For example, for the Chicken Cafreal, you would need some nice curry-cut chicken, and we will get that to you at your doorstep. There is no doubt that Goan cuisine is beautiful, and at the same time, it is all very natural. If you think that you want to make all these yummy dishes without compromising on the taste, you need good materials. Go for fresh chicken home delivery from Zorabian Foods today and get the finest quality chicken delivered to your disposal. We offer the best farm fresh chicken, and the good part is that our chickens do not contain any steroids or antibiotics. Order today, and you will have a shopping experience that is one of a kind and best works for you.