Shallots in Goan Cuisine - Delicious Food

by Dherya Tyagi Travelling to World

The party capital of India, Goa is situated at a charming spot on the western coastline of the Indian subcontinent all along the Arabian Sea. Considering the area this state is the It is the smallest Indian state, is the fourth-smallest state considering the population, and is in the entire Konkan region. The coastline is world-famous and attracts a large number of tourists who are drawn to the beaches and the wonderfully unique food.

Goan cuisine is celebrated for its delicious yet distinctive dishes, which are completely unique due to the combination of Portuguese and Indian cultures present in the region. There is a real feel of east meets west in the dishes crafted by the Goan people. The Portuguese occupied Goa for more than 500 years and introduced many ingredients to the culture which have now become synonymous with Goan cuisine and help to create flavors you won’t necessarily find in dishes from any other Indian state.

Due to its coastal location, Goa is well known for the wonderful selection of fish which feature heavily in the iconic food of the region. Coconut milk, rice, and local spices are also very important ingredients in Goan cuisine. Another ingredient that is a key element in many recipes is shallots; in contemporary recipes, shallots are often replaced with onions. In traditional Goan recipes, shallots are important as they have a milder flavor than onions and don’t dominate a dish, which allows the other ingredients to take center stage. This is particularly important in the delicious spicy dishes of Goa.

An example of a traditional Goan dish that features shallots to create delicious flavors is Goan coconut chutney. Shallots combined with grated coconut, chopped fresh green coriander, fresh coarsely chopped ginger, garlic, coriander seeds, cloves, cinnamon, lemon juice, and sugar. The result is simply mouth-watering and will complement any Indian curry.

Fish curry is one of the most iconic dishes in Goan culture and shallots normally play an important part in most traditional versions. Along with fish and shallots, the other ingredients are usually fresh ginger, garlic, green chilies, curry leaves, red chili powder, turmeric, garam masala, cumin powder, toasted, and ground cumin seeds, coriander powder, coconut milk, lime, and cilantro leaves. The dish is commonly served with beautifully fluffy steamed rice. It is a wonderfully warming dish that will make your tongue tingle but won’t make you reach for too many glasses of water, as although it is fiery the spices aren’t overpowering.

Jingoist curry is a fantastic dish that is full of flavor. Shallots are an integral ingredient and help to create a dish that packs a punch but doesn’t overwhelm the senses. The key ingredients are beef, shallots, cayenne pepper, ground turmeric, potatoes, green cardamom pods, dry bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, ground cumin seeds, ground coriander seeds, coconut milk, diced tomatoes, vinegar, and cilantro leaves.

As Goan cuisine traditionally contains a large number of fiery spices to create strong flavors it is important to balance a dish effectively to create a delicious flavor. The expert chefs at a fine dining Indian restaurant in the heart of London can prepare the perfect shallot-based Goan curry.