I‘ve been beach bummin it up for let’s see now.. 4 days? 5? 6? oh, who’s counting anymore. I live in a little beach hut for $2 a day, my days are filled with swimming in clear blue waters, drinking too many chai’s too count (yes, even in this heat- I’m totally Indian), and life is good. I could seriously get used to this, oh wait- I already have.
Morning Time at the hut
After being a bum for this long, I decided I would do what I do best- find out what’s cooking in the local scene. Yes, I skip the tourist restaurants and opt for some local curd in a clay pot in the mornings with some sweet bread and chai, and in the afternoon I hit up my friend who makes bomb egg sandwiches on the street for only 20 rupees. But what is truly “Goan” about these foods?
So last night, I bit my tongue and headed over to one of the tourist trap restaurants to try some truly Goan, fish curry. I first decided to have a look at all the fishies on display, and by display I mean they were chillin in a crate with a glaring fluorescent light shining above.
There were red snappers, pom-frets, and sharks. Shark!? No thanks.
I’m still unsure how I feel about eating fish. If I had seen a bunch of dead cows laying there I would’ve felt sick, but for some reason I felt totally fine taking pictures of these fish and in the end, eating one. This could evolve, like everything else.
At least for that night, I was having fish. And fish was had. I ordered my fish curry with a side of garlic rice. A traveler I had met told me that garlic is a good repeller of mosquitoes (and vampires) – and since I’m not too keen on either, I gave it shot.
And I must say, Goa, my lad, you’ve outdone yourself.
The flavors of chili, coconut milk and tumeric were a perfect combination. The sauce was thick, but not overpowering and the (king)fish were marinated well. It was a pretty big portion and I was at first daunted by this feat. But being the eater that I am, I devoured it all, and then some of my friend’s aloo gobi (a classic Indian dish of potatoes and cauliflowers).
The fish had been caught the same day, which made the meal so fresh tasting. And what’s an Indian meal without some naan?
If you want to try a wonderful recipe similar to this meal check out Nashira’s blog, and taste for yourself!
