Not Just Curry and Chapatti

Tuesday, 19 November 2013

Review on Silver Fins Restaurant - Candolim Goa

With only two vacant tables left at eight o’clock on a Friday night, Terence Fernandes, owner of the new restaurant Silver Fins, clearly has made an impression with the tourists.

No sooner seated, than a drinks order taken, leaving us to peruse the menu.

Spoilt for choice, the menu offered an array of tantalizing dishes to suit every taste. Continental, Indian and Goan at very reasonable and most of all, modest prices.

With only two waiters, Saurabh Das from Kolkata and Sidhartha Basumatay from Assam had a full restaurant to contend with; however, both seemed to take it in their stride. With happy smiling faces, they were always on hand.

MR R chose half-tandoor chicken excellent value at 160 Rupees.

Served with chips, rice and vegetables this made an impressive plate. So often menus claim to be half a chicken, yet how many chickens do you know, have four thighs, no breast or legs? This was not the case at Sliver Fins; you do get half a chicken.

MR R was more than happy, cooked just how he liked his tandoori, burnt and crispy on the outside, juicy and succulent on the inside, and full of tandoori spice.

My first choice was the grilled prawns after seeing it was a popular dish amongst the other guests, unfortunately it proved to be too popular, and had sold out. My second choice grilled red snapper.

Served with rice, chips and veg 290 Rupees.

Not disappointed I had a good-sized piece of fish, very fresh full of flavour that just melted in your mouth.

If I had one complaint, and this is purely personnel constructive criticism, I would much prefer to be offered a choice of either rice or chips, that way one can get a decent sized portion inside of a tiny bit of rice and chips. My other issue is veg, a tiny portion. This is not just a criticism for this restaurant I find it all over, come on please a serving spoon full would be more appropriate than a couple of teaspoons. My other disappointment was the veg, rice and chips were only just warm.

Overall I really like Silver Fins, and will be going back again. I congratulate you on your new opening, and look forward to my next visit.

I am going to give 4 red chillies out of 5 for this new restaurant, mainly because of the lack in veg, and the small sized portion of rice and chips, and not warm.

Thursday, 14 November 2013

Jo's Yummy Potato, Leek and Mushroom Curry - Serves 2

MR R loves this lightly spiced curry in a coconut gravy. Quick and easy.

YOU WILL NEED:
200g potatoes peeled and cut into quarters          2 tablespoons olive oil or oil      2 cloves garlic crushed          1/2 teaspoon of fresh grated ginger          1 large onion chopped      100 g leeks sliced
3 teaspoons curry powder          1 teaspoon salt          1 teaspoon garam masala     200g mushrooms wipe clean and cut into quarters          4 tablespoons desiccated coconut      2 cups milk  1 teaspoon corn flour mixed to a paste with a little water
2 teaspoons lemon juice      fresh coriander to garnish

GET COOKING:
1. While you are boiling a kettle peel and cut potatoes, use the boiling water to cook potatoes for about 4 - 5 minutes.

2. Potatoes are cooking, heat oil add garlic, ginger and onion fry for 2-3 minutes then add leeks fry for another minute.

3. Add your spices and coat the onion and leek well.

4. Potatoes should now be cooked enough, drain and throw into the pan as well. Make sure they all get coated in that spice mixture.

5. Now add your mushrooms.

6. Mix the coconut with the milk and pour over the veg and spice mixture cover and cook on a low heat for about 8 - 10 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked.

7. Just before serving add the corn flour and lemon juice and stir in. Take care not to let it stick to the pan now.

8. Serve on a bed of rice and sprinkle with the fresh coriander.

If you have time make it the day before, up until step 7. Cool and keep in a sealed container in the fridge. Next day all that wonderful coconut milk has soaked into the veg. Reheat and when ready go from step 7.

Sometimes if I want a bit of spice, I add 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of green curry paste with the rest of the spices.

Happy Cooking!

Wednesday, 13 November 2013

Pinterest - Angel of Kindness featured on Holiday Reading List

'Twas The Bookshelf Before Christmas: A Holiday Reading List

From picture books to classics, from cozy mysteries to adult contemporary romances to paranormal YA, if it's Christmas related, you'll find it here...

Rusty Fischer

http://www.pinterest.com/rustyfischerya/twas-the-bookshelf-before-christmas-a-holiday-read/

Thanks to Rusty for featuring my book.

Best Buys in Goa for Tops and Shorts

Looking for something a little different at reasonable prices? The head down to Beach Road Calangute for two fabulous shops.

For a great selection of shorts, trousers at unbelievable prices then check out Cotton Express.

Cheeky chap Rajesh is the man. All be it slight seconds or end of lines you will find labels such as H&M, Khakis & Co, Point Zero and Lee Cooper to name a few.

Ladies looking for good quality tops that fit? Then head for Naman & Style.

A great choice in tops, t-shirts and dresses. Anil and his wife Komal are only too willing to help.

Saturday, 9 November 2013

Jiya's Pure Veg Restaurant Calangute Goa

Having taken our morning beach stroll from Candolim to Calangute and then fighting our way through the crowds of tourists at Calanugue steps, Mr R and I were in need of some lunch.

We headed off into town, while walking past the old petrol station on Beach Road, I stopped to look at some hats, when MR R noticed down a dusty dirty track Jiya's Pure veg Restaurant.

The entrance hardly five star but after years in Goa I have learnt you should never judge a book by its cover, or in this case, never judge a restaurant by its entrance.

Pleasantly surprised when arrived outside. Inside it is small, with around 20 covers. Downstairs is non- a/c , upstairs a/c but only opens at noon.

Like most of the pure veg restaurants it is basic, but the main thing is it was clean and cheap.

A vast menu that serves South Indian, snacks, Thali, Punjabi and Chinese.

We opted for Masala Dosa RS 0.50 A large paper style pancake filled with potato and spiced with masala.
Puri Bhaja RS 0.50 a spicy potato dish with puri bread.

The dosa was a little disappointing not as much filling as I would have liked, but then it was mid-day and dosa had finished being cooked, but they kindly made them for us.

On the other hand the Puri Bhaja has to be the best I have tasted in a long time. Full of flavour and lovely thick chunks of potato. Puri's were so light they melted in your mouth.

Manager and staff all very friendly and helpful, I especially enjoyed the salsa music playing in the background!

On the whole I will give Jiya's Pure Veg Restaurant 3/5 chillies.