Cuisine of Goa
Goa is popular all over India and all over the world for numerous things, starting for its several beautiful beaches, plethora of tourist places of interests, variety of accommodation options and cuisine. The cuisine of Goa is considered one of the best in India. Goa cuisine has significant influence of Portuguese and Hindu and Muslim. In the present day Goa cuisine is often considered to be very spicy and flavorsome. Thouh over the years, both the techniques and recipes of Goa cuisine have changed the primary ingredients is still the same.
The principal stable food of Goa includes fish, rice and coconut. Cocnut milk is a very important ingredient of Goan dishes and so is “Kokum’ which is a kind of fruit. The other important ingredients are red chilies of Goa, tamarind, a special kind of vinegar and chutneys. The cuisine of Goa is mainly dominated by non vegetarian dishes. From beef to chicken, sausages to prawns, the Goa cuisine is known for its variety. Seafood forms an important part of the cuisine of Goa, the variety of restaurants dotting this state serves numerous delicious dishes of seafood.
The cuisine of Goa can mainly be divided into two categories; Goan Hindu Cuisine and Goan Catholic Cuisine.
Goa Hindu Cuisine
This category of cuisine of Goa is less spicy, less oily and there is not much use of either onion or garlic. Instead lentils, vegetables, gourd, pumpkins, shoots, bamboo and roots are used in plenty for the preparations of the various dishes. Both non-vegetarian and vegetarian dishes form the part of Goa Hindu cuisines.
Goan Catholic Cuisine
Highly influenced by Konkani, South Indian, Portuguese, British and Saraswat cuisines, Goan Catholic Cuisine is mainly the cuisine of Goan Catholic community.
Popular Goa Cuisine Dishes
There are a number of popular dishes of Goa cuisines, some of them have been listed in the following:
Ambot-Tik
It is one of the most fashion versions of fish curry. This taste of this popular dish is sour and spicy, it is enjoyed a most of the non-vegetarian lovers.
Prawn Balchao
Originally a Portuguese dish, Prawn Balchao is one of the most lip-smacking dishes of the cuisine of Goa.
Fish Recheado
Various sea fishes are used in the preparation of Fish Recheado, like pomfret and mackerel. Mackerel Recheado is a very popular dish of Goa. Chicken Xacuti
Perfect for those who like spicy preparation, Chicken Xacuti is mainly made with various spices like coriander, nutmeg, ginger, green and red chilies and cloves. Preferably prepared with lamb, mutton and fish, this dish is relished by almost all the non-vegetarians.
Sorpotel
An adapted version of Sarabulho, a Portuguese dish, Sorpotel is mainly served during celebrations, like, Christmas. This dish is a perfect display of the combination Portuguese and Goan cuisine culture. This dish is mainly made from pork, kidney, heart and liver.
Chicken Cafreal
Originally a dish of the tribes, Chicken Cafreal is enjoyed by many.
Chouricos
Alternatively known as the Goan Sausages, Chouricos are extremely spicy and are prepared with spiced and salted pork cubes.
Bebinca
One of the most popular sweetmeats of Goa, Bebinca is also known as bibik. It is made of coconut and pancakes. This dessert satisfies the taste bud of the different people.
The principal stable food of Goa includes fish, rice and coconut. Cocnut milk is a very important ingredient of Goan dishes and so is “Kokum’ which is a kind of fruit. The other important ingredients are red chilies of Goa, tamarind, a special kind of vinegar and chutneys. The cuisine of Goa is mainly dominated by non vegetarian dishes. From beef to chicken, sausages to prawns, the Goa cuisine is known for its variety. Seafood forms an important part of the cuisine of Goa, the variety of restaurants dotting this state serves numerous delicious dishes of seafood.
The cuisine of Goa can mainly be divided into two categories; Goan Hindu Cuisine and Goan Catholic Cuisine.
Goa Hindu Cuisine
This category of cuisine of Goa is less spicy, less oily and there is not much use of either onion or garlic. Instead lentils, vegetables, gourd, pumpkins, shoots, bamboo and roots are used in plenty for the preparations of the various dishes. Both non-vegetarian and vegetarian dishes form the part of Goa Hindu cuisines.
Goan Catholic Cuisine
Highly influenced by Konkani, South Indian, Portuguese, British and Saraswat cuisines, Goan Catholic Cuisine is mainly the cuisine of Goan Catholic community.
Popular Goa Cuisine Dishes
There are a number of popular dishes of Goa cuisines, some of them have been listed in the following:
Ambot-Tik
It is one of the most fashion versions of fish curry. This taste of this popular dish is sour and spicy, it is enjoyed a most of the non-vegetarian lovers.
Prawn Balchao
Originally a Portuguese dish, Prawn Balchao is one of the most lip-smacking dishes of the cuisine of Goa.
Fish Recheado
Various sea fishes are used in the preparation of Fish Recheado, like pomfret and mackerel. Mackerel Recheado is a very popular dish of Goa. Chicken Xacuti
Perfect for those who like spicy preparation, Chicken Xacuti is mainly made with various spices like coriander, nutmeg, ginger, green and red chilies and cloves. Preferably prepared with lamb, mutton and fish, this dish is relished by almost all the non-vegetarians.
Sorpotel
An adapted version of Sarabulho, a Portuguese dish, Sorpotel is mainly served during celebrations, like, Christmas. This dish is a perfect display of the combination Portuguese and Goan cuisine culture. This dish is mainly made from pork, kidney, heart and liver.
Chicken Cafreal
Originally a dish of the tribes, Chicken Cafreal is enjoyed by many.
Chouricos
Alternatively known as the Goan Sausages, Chouricos are extremely spicy and are prepared with spiced and salted pork cubes.
Bebinca
One of the most popular sweetmeats of Goa, Bebinca is also known as bibik. It is made of coconut and pancakes. This dessert satisfies the taste bud of the different people.