Aloha from Goa - Calamari Fish Tikka

Energy and A New Beginning.

Ah Goa. I’m finally here. The train ride took forever but it was comfortable enough. Unfortunately I didn’t get much sleep and spent the night in my clothes clutching my bag because I was afraid someone was going to steal it. I met a really nice girl on board from Australia who wants to share a room with me here in Goa to save on money which sounds like a good idea and I guess it would be safer travelling with someone too. But what if she steals from me.. I shouldn’t be so paranoid but I can’t help it. She is friendly and polite and was very helpful on the train - escorting me to the bathroom and back because I was too scared to go by myself. Well, we’re finally here. We have a beautiful room overlooking the beach in Anjuna Beach Resort. There’s a swimming pool here too and the staff is really friendly. The weather is hot and humid, even more so than Delhi. It’s such a beautiful place and you can really smell the spices in the air. They literally grow everywhere along the narrow roads and there are spice farms galore.

Once we got here we rented scooters and went to Candolim Beach. The sand is white and very difficult to walk on because it burns your feet. We sat at a cafe and I drank my very first beer called King’s. This is a beer that is apparently brewed only in Goa and cannot be found anywhere else in the world. I can honestly say that I did not really enjoy the taste when I first sipped it, so bitter, but it seems to have really grown on me. I can't help but feel woozy and giggly after drinking only a bottle though! Kate, my friend, told me so many things about Melbourne, her city, and I can’t wait to visit it!

Kate has been prancing around in her bikini all day but I’m so shy that I haven’t even been able to go swimming in the sea yet. I’m lounging in a T-shirt and my jeans, though it’s so hot. I do think the beer is helping me change my mind though.

Apparently the hippie movement started here in Goa and I can see why. There’s colour, magic and a sense of freedom in the air. People walk around freely and embrace each other, preaching love and peace to everyone they meet. Being on the outside and just observing this is so magical. I don't think I have ever met such giving, beautiful people.

Kate introduced me to a guy called Warren who comes from Australia and an Austrian girl named Sabine, hanging out with him. Warren was playing the guitar, while Sabine danced around merrily facing the sunset on the horizon. We all got to talking and shared our many stories. Everyone really sympathized with me and has assured me that they will help my trip be unforgettable. It already has been thanks to my wonderful free friends. They for some reason keep telling me I am so brave to have done what I did even though they have travelled alone halfway across the world themselves.

Sabine suggested visiting Arambol Beach which is where we’re headed tomorrow. But for tonight lets cook up some calamari fish tikka and add some thyme to it to give us the energy to see and do everything here.

Ingredients

• 500 gms fish pieces of any type

• 150 gms vegetable oil

• 1 tbsp ajwain

• 45 ml cream

• 2 tsp cumin seeds powder

• 2 tsp garam masala

• 1 tbsp garlic paste

• 20 gms flour (beasn)

• 30 ml lemon juice

• 5 tbsp mint or coriander chutney

• 1/2 tsp white pepper powder

• 1 onion, chopped in circles.

• 60 gms curd / plain yogurt

• Salt To Taste

• chili powder to taste

Method

• Mix cream garlic paste, ajwain , chili powder, cumin seeds powder, garam masala, lemon juice, salt, mint or coriander chutney, besan flour in yogurt.

• Add fish pieces to the above mixture and mainate them for about 3 hours.

• Heat oil in a pan, fry fish pieces on both sides till golden & crisp.

• Serve fried fish tikka with chopped onions. Add thyme for taste

#thym #energy #newbeginning #spice #goa #calamarifishtikka