Goan Fish Curry: A Carnival For Your Taste Buds

Visiting Goa and not tasting its Goan Fish Curry is something similar to imagining a world without flowers, palm trees and the high seas. Fish is an inextricable item of the Goan diet and the average Goan simply can’t do without it. The sheer abundance of fresh sea fish along the coastline only makes it simpler.

Picture this: You are served a whole pomfret or chunks of tuna or boneless mackerel in a rich golden brown gravy that has onions, tomatoes, red chillies, garlic, ginger, fresh grated coconut, cumin, coriander, turmeric and green chillies. The gravy, moreover, has the tangy taste of tamarind that makes it different from the other fish curries cooked elsewhere in India.

Believe me, it’s sheer magic! Take a spoonful of the wonderful golden brown gravy and swirl it around your mouth as if you were tasting an exotic wine. It’s sure to play havoc on your taste buds. There’s the tangy taste of tamarind, the fierceness of red chilli powder, the zing of the cumin--coriander combination, the smoothness of the right use of salt and the slightly sour taste of the dash of vinegar that was used to cook the gravy. Sheer heaven, won’t you say? Eat it with steamed rice, preferably with your fingers. It’s an experience no fish lover will ever forget. What’s more, Goan Fish Curry uses very little oil and is therefore, healthy, too. The sea fish is, moreover, rich in Omega D3 fats and makes your heart stronger. Is there anything more that you could ask for?

Clean the fish and marinate with a little vinegar, turmeric and chilli powder. The gravy is prepared by first frying the sliced onions and garlic together. Once the onion turns translucent, the ginger is added and the frying continues till its aroma can be smelt. Subsequently, the fish, coriander, tamarind, cumin, and grated coconut are added. Once these have been properly sautéed, add a little water to it and set to boil.  Allow the gravy to boil for 10-15 minutes and simmer for another ten minutes. This should allow the fish to soften. Serve with steamed rice.  

Go on, give it a try. We guarantee that you will be asking for more!