Komidiche Xacuti - Chicken Curry - Goan style

The east is the east, the west the west, but the twain do meet in Goa

Vegeterians look at end of the post.

Year: 198* or rather the year Fauji aired.

Almost two decades ago, my family went on week long vacation to Goa. The trip was not long but the picture that was painted in my mind was enough to last a life time. The beautiful sand, swaying coconut palms and smell of fresh sea food. A beautiful picture indeed.

A sixth grader who had no clue about the place. All I knew was that we were driving to Goa to spent 10 days with my aunt. Goa, the land of old architecture, beautiful beaches-nude beaches too, hippies, lots of fisherman(like old Hindi movie Bobby) and lots of water activities. The typical stereotype description.

But the trip was an eye opener. More than anything it was the friendly ,happy go lucky spirit of the people in Goa that won my heart. They enjoyed every bit, life had to offer. I guess the sun, Fenny( their local toddy), the fresh sea food and their beaches had to do something with it.

We visited a lot small shacks and tasted authentic Goan food. Goan cuisine, like the land itself, has many flavours and tastes with its vast treasure trove of culinary delicacies. Long period of Portuguese rule, besides that of the Muslim and Hindu kingdoms, has left an indelible influence on the original style of cooking and this has led to an exotic mix of truly tasty and spicy cuisine. Most people who sample Goan cuisine, enjoy this different and unique style of food which has a distinct and unique combination of spicy flavours.

My dad and mom went to Goa this year again with my sister's family and I guess that is what brought back memories of our trip. Apart from the Vindaloos and Spicy fish curries, one dish that screams for attention is Komiche Xacuti (Chicken Curry ). So from my trusted Hawkins Cookbook, here is recipe for curry(this is one of my family favorite dish). The time saving tips I used are stated in the Notes below.

Komidiche Xacuti - Chicken Curry - Goan style

Serve 8

Coconut grated - 3 3/4 cups

Water - 3 Cups

Vegetable Oil -3/4 Cup *

Aniseed - 1 Tbsp

Peppercorns - 12

Nutmeg Powder -1/4 tsp

Fenugreek Seeds - 1 tsp

Poppy Seeds - 3 tbsp

Coriander Seeds - 1 tbsp*

Cumin Seeds - 1 1/2 seeds

Whole dry red Kashimiri chillies - 12

Onion - 3 medium

Garlic - 9 flakes

Onions - 4 medium

Chicken - 1 1/2 kgs

Tamarind - 25 gms soaks in 1/2 cup of hot water and the pulp extracted.

Vinegar - 3 tbsp

Salt - 5 tsp

1. Extract 1 cup thick milk from 2.5 cups coconut using 1 cup of water. Add 3/4 cup of water to the same coconut and extract 3/4 c thin milk.*
2. In a pan, heat 1 tbsp oil for about 1/2 minute. Roast aniseed, nutmeg, fenugreek, poppy, coriander and cumin seeds. Remove and keep aside. Roast red chillies in the oil left in the pan. Remove and keep aside.
3. In the same pan, heat remaining oil (3/4 cup)for about 2 minutes. Add sliced onion and garlic. Fry till onions are golden brown. Remove and keep aside.
4. To the oil in pan, add remaining coconut (1 1/4 c). Stir fry till light brown and remove. Strain oil and put in cooker.
5. Grind together fried and roasted ingredients into paste, adding a little water (remaining 1 1/4 cups) from time to time.
6. Place cooker on high heat. Add chopped onions and fry till golden brown. Add ground paste. Stir for about 2 minutes. Add chicken . Mix. Add tamarind pulp, vinegar, salt and thin coconut milk. Stir.
7. Close cooker. Bring to full pressure on high heat. Reduce heat and cook for 7 minutes.
8. Remove cooker from heat. Allow to cool naturally.
9. Open cooker. Add thick coconut milk. Stir.
10. Place cooker on high heat and bring boil, stirring constantly. Serve hot.

Hope you enjoy this dish as much as my family does.

Notes:

I did not use pressure cooker instead cooked it in a pan as the chicken in US cooks fast.I used 1 tbsp of coriander powder instead of coriander seeds.I reduced the oil to 1/2 Cup [ I try to cut fat fat if possible] .I used coconut milk powder instead of extracting coconut milk. I reduced the onions to two large instead of seven mediums.

Vegeterians: Check out these fellow blogger for vegeterian version of Xacuti

Nupurs One Hot stove