In the mood to try out some scrumptious Goan delicacies? Hotel Novotel’s Goan Food Festival takes you on a culinary journey through the beautiful coastal town with a buffet spread that will remind you of your Goan holidays. And for those who are new to the cuisine – there are many delicious surprises in store from the two chefs who have been invited from Goa to recreate the authentic flavours.
Goan cuisine is a blend of three communities of the coastal town – Catholic Goan, Saraswat Goan and the Portuguese Goan. “While the Saraswat Goan dishes are primarily vegetarian ones, Catholic Goans use coconut liberally and the Portuguese have a strong pickle flavour with toddy vinegar used in most preparations. But there are some signature dishes that no tourists or food lovers should miss,” says Alexander Pereira, the chef from Goa.
The chef’s ‘must try’ list includes the chicken cafreal and the Goan fish curry. “The chicken cafreal is made from a paste of coriander, chillies and spices which is marinated overnight with dark rum with the meat and served the next day. Equally popular is the Goan fish curry which has a mild coconut milk flavour,” says chef Alexander.
One of the highlights of the food festival is its emphasis on sea food. The main course consists of three varieties of sea food, which keeps changing every day. The buffet will be cyclical and will be repeated every four days. These include fish curry and prawn curry Goan style, crabs in green curry, squids, a variety of locally available sea fish like kingfish. For the starters, the rawa fried prawn is not to be missed. A popular Goan starter, the prawns are marinated with Goan spices and semolina crumbs and deep fried for the crunchy taste. The hot and spicy curried chicken Xacuti goes well with freshly baked bread.
For desserts, one of the Goan favourites is the Bibinca or layered gateau. It’s a multi layered Goan cake, made with refined flour, coconut milk, egg and cardamom. Among the other Goan delights, there are Dodol made with coconut jaggery, coconut milk and rice flour and Alle Belle or the Goan pan cake which should be tried with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
The festival is on for dinner till Sunday.
Goan food festival
Where : Hotel Novotel’s The Square restaurant
Timing : For dinner till Sunday
Wallet factor : Rs 1,000 (taxes extra) per head
