The Goan vegetable curry

I started cooking as a teenage when I was living as a paying guest with couple of my friends. My love for food has grown with the passing time. I wanted to write a blog related to cooking for food lovers like me.

Therefore, in this blog I will be share the recipe of Goan vegetable curry that I learn from my Chef friend “Anish Theavar.” Although, I must confess that it I had some changes to make it more “Homely.”

Goan Vegetable Curry | Image Resource : wordpress.com

The Recipe:

You can use different vegetables in this curry as you wish but make sure that they are fresh.

Ingredients needed are:

– Two cups (220 gram) of fresh or frozen coconut – grated.
– One tsp (5 gram) tamarind.
– One tsp (5 gram) fresh ginger.
– Using 1/2 tsp turmeric powder is optional.

Spices that has to be roasted

Coriander seeds – 2 tbsp.
Cumin seeds – 1 tsp
Peppercorns – 1/4 tsp
Two dry red chillies
Water – 3/4 cup

Vegetable I used:

Assorted French beans, carrots and cauliflower – 1 cup each
Peas – 1/2 cup
Potatoes – 1/2 cup
Water – 1 litre
Salt to taste

For seasoning use:

Using sprig curry leaves in optional
Two dry red chillies
Vegetable oil – 2 tsp
Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
Asafoetida powder – 1/2 tsp

Preparation:

Place a small saucepan on medium heat. Put all the species in it and dry roast until the coriander seeds appears golden brown. Do not over roast.

Take a blender put tamarind, ginger, coconut, the roasted spices turmeric, 3/4 cups water and grind them into fine paste.

Take a saucepan with water; cut your vegetables into it, cover it and cook for around 10 to 12 minutes. It is recommended that you add little cauliflower when the carrot and beans are half cooked.

This will prevent them from becoming mushy.

Then add salt and ground paste and boil. If you prefer a thinner gravy, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup more water.

Take a small saucepan, heat the oil on medium heat. Put some mustard seeds in it. As soon as they start popping add the curry leaves, asafoetida powder and red chillies; mix well once and add this mixture into your vegetable curry.

Mix it well and serve hot with Parathas, roti has or rice.

Goan Vegetable Curry at Goa Hotel – A Must Try

I entered the resort’s restaurant. The interior of the restaurant was pleasing. I settled myself on one vacant table and looked for the menu. It was flooded with numerous cuisines. Being a first time visitor of the place, I was not aware of the most local dishes and specialties. Besides, most of the dishes in the menu card were non vegetarian and I am a vegetarian. Looking at my perplexed situation, one of the staff members of the hotel approached me. On listening to my situation, he smiled and suggested me to try one vegetarian dish – Goan vegetable curry. He insisted that it was a delicious cuisine of Goa and a specialty of their hotel as well. He further added that I could replace any vegetable of my choice in that curry. I agreed to his persistence and ordered for Goan vegetable curry.

Goan Vegetable Curry | Image Resource : blogspot.com

The legitimate service attitude of the staff and the attention, as well as catering to specific demands by keeping in mind the choice of the customer was purely exemplary. It was amongst the few places that have that quality to make their guests feel at home.

When I was served with the food, I had a look at the special curry. It was little similar to our normal curries but had a unique aroma of its own. I tasted the curry; it had special taste of spiced coconut.

Evocative of the coastal fragrance of Goa, the tall coconut trees, pure beaches and fresh air, this curry was an assortment of different vegetables in gravy that is spiced and flavored with coconut. I couldn’t stop but relishing over this excellent dish that I tasted for the first time. The curry was served with some well-cooked fragrant basmati rice and a bowl of yogurt. The combination was amazing and filling as well. The nice dinner with the Goan vegetable curry made my soul happy. I was wondering, how mere change of place and flavor can rejuvenate you in every way. I had my delicious dinner and thanked the waiter for his suggestion of the dish. I started off my journey as I had to visit a lot of places.