Chicken Cafreal from Goa!

Chicken Cafreal is one of my favourite dish.  It is like tandoori chicken of Goa  except Chicken cafreal  is in green color and is fried and not roasted in an oven. I love to cook this dish myself and my family and friends love this Goan speciality.  My daughter in Chicago, raves about this dish and prepares it herself, whenever she feels home sick. I have tried to eat this dish in several restaurants and hotels in Goa, but none of them tastes as it used to be during my childhood days or as good or as authentic as is prepared at home. A very few  food outlets run by Goan restauranteurs or Goan Cooks, still prepare chicken cafreal in their own style and they are yummy and tasty. There is one in Saligao in north Goa called Florentine.  The other one is Martins Corner at Colva in South Goa. And Quarter Deck at Mandovi, Panjim also serves good Chicken cafreal. Each one of these outlets have their own stamp and tastes different. They are unique!

Little background  of this Chicken Cafreal dish:

Goan Cuisine has its own character. Goan life is vibrant, colorful, cheerful  and fun and  Goan cuisine reflects the true spirit of the land that evolved over time by embracing culinary methods and styles from varied culture. Chicken Cafreal  or 'Galinha à Cafreal'  is basically an African dish that was introduced to Goa by Portuguese soldiers during the colonial rule over Goa. It was supposed to be a grilled chicken but over the years it has developed an Indian twist and is being fried instead of being cooked in the grill.  It could be because the soldiers from Mozambique of  African continent as well as from the Macau Colony from China, that  might have developed their own culinary style or it might be our own Goan cooks, those who worked with their Portuguese masters who might have modified and used variations to perfect this dish  by frying instead of grilling and mending to local Goan spicy and pungent taste, after a glass of Urrak  or a shot of Caju Feni.

Post liberation, Goa, became famous and renowned for its beaches and world heritage architecture as well as sunny beaches. Tourists those who had  heard about chicken cafreal,  raved  about this dish and started tasting it, whenever they came  to Goa. So, this  Goan speciality became sought after by every traveller to Goa.

The dish got so much popular  that all the restaurants, hotels and eating houses started putting this dish on their menu card. However, the Chefs and the cooks those who had no knowledge and background of Goan cuisine, started preparing this dish  using various variations and modifications that has destroyed the original taste of Chicken cafreal. Today, you will find Very few Goan Cooks, Chefs and housewives and grannies prepare this dish in an authentic way. Goan cooks or house wives start preparing this dish by using seasoned chicken overnight with the paste prepared comprising corriander,garlic, ginger, lemon, olive oil, salt and chilli, cloves, pepper, tiki, jeera, white vinegar and then fry  it the next day — they marinate the stuff overnight or atleast for four hours before cooking. The dominant ingredient in this dish is cilantro or coriander leaves and for that typical authentic Goan culinary smell, I use white vinegar.

I have intentionally not provided here the recipe of Chicken cafreal. The reason is that, there are several versions of it available on the net.  When you google  "chicken cafreal",  a whole new world will be unveiled to you.  Several  recipes will  be found. Pick up the one that fancies you. Make no mistake. See that the cook or chef is a Goan. Dont look for exact measurements. You might not get the best result at first go, but the repeat stint will turn into this Goan  speciality.  The ingredients are common that could be always found in your refrigerator and pantry. Each  recipe has its own variations, but the main ingredients remain the same. Few changes here and there. And it is very easy to prepare. If you are able to make this dish and you like it, don't forget to say " moito obrigado" in the comments column below.

When you are in Goa, you could always stay at Urba Luxury Service Apartments, Porvorim.  We have our own Goan Cook, who will prepare this special dish for you. Alternatively, we will take you to renowned restaurants, who serve  this Goan speciality. You can do the booking for BARDEZ themed apartment from urbaluxury.com or airbnb.com.