The Best Goan Cookbook
2,530 views
Skip to first unread message
augusto pinto
May 10, 2012, 4:36:25 AM5/10/12
to goa-bo...@googlegroups.com
On some other threads, Helga, Janet, Tensing and Fred have been teasing the palate with talk about bebinca and dodol and suchlike sweet things, so maybe this is a good time to also start a discussion about the biggest
selling category of all Goan books - the Goan cookbook.
I have picked up a few of them over the years in the hope that they may inspire Bibian to make my tummy more rotund in shape and I must say she has been so far quite successful.
So which is the best Goan cookbook of them all?
I'm not really competent to review these productions except to say that The Goa Portuguesa Cookbook by Deepa Awchat (formerly Deepa Mahambre the table tennis champion) definitely looks the most sumptuous.
So I tried to get the good wife to give me the real masala on Goan food books, but Mrs Pinto does not like being quizzed too much and she soon just buzzed me off.
Then I decided to use an ingenious method of research - I checked how dog-eared her cookbooks had become on the hypothesis that the most used volumes would also have the tastiest recipes.
For all that it is worth here are the top 6 results of my study: 1) Goan cookbook by Joyce Fernandes 2) 100 Easy - to - Make Goan Dishes by Jennifer Fernandes 3) Home Style Cuisine by Joyce Fernandes 4) The Best of Goan Cooking by Gilda Mendonca and 5) Ishtaan by Padma Mahale and 6) A Taste of Goa by Beryl Viera Coutinho.
So what do you think of this selection?
Bon appetit
Augusto
40, Novo Portugal,
Moira, Bardez,
Goa, India
E pint...@gmail.com or ypin...@yahoo.co.in
P 0832-2470336
M 9881126350
I have picked up a few of them over the years in the hope that they may inspire Bibian to make my tummy more rotund in shape and I must say she has been so far quite successful.
So which is the best Goan cookbook of them all?
I'm not really competent to review these productions except to say that The Goa Portuguesa Cookbook by Deepa Awchat (formerly Deepa Mahambre the table tennis champion) definitely looks the most sumptuous.
So I tried to get the good wife to give me the real masala on Goan food books, but Mrs Pinto does not like being quizzed too much and she soon just buzzed me off.
Then I decided to use an ingenious method of research - I checked how dog-eared her cookbooks had become on the hypothesis that the most used volumes would also have the tastiest recipes.
For all that it is worth here are the top 6 results of my study: 1) Goan cookbook by Joyce Fernandes 2) 100 Easy - to - Make Goan Dishes by Jennifer Fernandes 3) Home Style Cuisine by Joyce Fernandes 4) The Best of Goan Cooking by Gilda Mendonca and 5) Ishtaan by Padma Mahale and 6) A Taste of Goa by Beryl Viera Coutinho.
So what do you think of this selection?
Bon appetit
Augusto
40, Novo Portugal,
Moira, Bardez,
Goa, India
E pint...@gmail.com or ypin...@yahoo.co.in
P 0832-2470336
M 9881126350
--
Augusto Pinto
40, Novo Portugal,
Moira, Bardez,
Goa, India
E pint...@gmail.com or ypin...@yahoo.co.in
P 0832-2470336
M 9881126350
Frederick FN Noronha * फ्रेड्रिक नोरोन्या * فريدريك نورونيا
May 10, 2012, 4:57:06 AM5/10/12
to The Third Thursday Goa Book Club
Augusto, a book could be dog-eared because it is older than the newer books :-)
Btw, my mum's own favourite was Isidore Coelho's *The Chef*. Though it
is Mangalorean-authored, their food is close to the Goan Catholic
cuisine.
My late mum would often hint that it saved her marriage, after she
moved into it from a career as a professional nurse. She didn't have
the parents/grandparents around as she grew up -- they died young, as
did many in those times, in their forties -- to teach her the skills
expected of a young lady of those times.
Khalil Ahmed of Broadway Book Centre says a lot of these books are
sold each month.
I do appreciate the work by Joyce Fernandes and Gilda Mendonca (late
sister of Brig. Ian DaCosta). In particular, I believe, Joyce had an
innovative way of promoting her books through hair dressing saloons in
places like Panjim. What an idea, considering the overlapping
interests in good looks and good cuisine!
The cookbooks on Goan Hindu cuisine do a good job of filling in a
long-neglected sector. I wish there was something on Goan Muslim food
too -- is there such a distinct category? My apologies for the ignorance....
As for our contemporary authors, Alda Figueiredo's book is being very
well received, and is hard to find often. Fatima Gracias' book fills,
in my view, an interesting slot, straddling the words of academia and
food -- it is an academic look at the world of Goan food. No wonder it
got a huge review in the *Economic Times* too. Kornelia Santoro's book
on cooking Mediterranean food with Indian ingredients is also of
interest, dealing as it does with a niche audience. More recent is
Odette Mascarenhas' Goan Receipes and More. I won't say much about
this, except that I find it a very easy-to-sell book!
Thanks Augusto for this opportunity to discuss cookbooks. This is a
sphere in which there is much interest. Some time back, Selma was
complaining that readers in the UK were only interested in cookbooks!
Our aproach is: if that is what they want, that is what we'll give
'em. FN
--
FN +91-832-2409490 or +91-9822122436 f...@goa-india.org
Books from Goa,1556 http://scr.bi/Goa1556Books
Audio recordings (mostly from Goa): http://bit.ly/GoaRecordings
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/7169727338/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/7169729932/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/7169734112/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/7169732110/in/photostream
Btw, my mum's own favourite was Isidore Coelho's *The Chef*. Though it
is Mangalorean-authored, their food is close to the Goan Catholic
cuisine.
My late mum would often hint that it saved her marriage, after she
moved into it from a career as a professional nurse. She didn't have
the parents/grandparents around as she grew up -- they died young, as
did many in those times, in their forties -- to teach her the skills
expected of a young lady of those times.
Khalil Ahmed of Broadway Book Centre says a lot of these books are
sold each month.
I do appreciate the work by Joyce Fernandes and Gilda Mendonca (late
sister of Brig. Ian DaCosta). In particular, I believe, Joyce had an
innovative way of promoting her books through hair dressing saloons in
places like Panjim. What an idea, considering the overlapping
interests in good looks and good cuisine!
The cookbooks on Goan Hindu cuisine do a good job of filling in a
long-neglected sector. I wish there was something on Goan Muslim food
too -- is there such a distinct category? My apologies for the ignorance....
As for our contemporary authors, Alda Figueiredo's book is being very
well received, and is hard to find often. Fatima Gracias' book fills,
in my view, an interesting slot, straddling the words of academia and
food -- it is an academic look at the world of Goan food. No wonder it
got a huge review in the *Economic Times* too. Kornelia Santoro's book
on cooking Mediterranean food with Indian ingredients is also of
interest, dealing as it does with a niche audience. More recent is
Odette Mascarenhas' Goan Receipes and More. I won't say much about
this, except that I find it a very easy-to-sell book!
Thanks Augusto for this opportunity to discuss cookbooks. This is a
sphere in which there is much interest. Some time back, Selma was
complaining that readers in the UK were only interested in cookbooks!
Our aproach is: if that is what they want, that is what we'll give
'em. FN
--
FN +91-832-2409490 or +91-9822122436 f...@goa-india.org
Books from Goa,1556 http://scr.bi/Goa1556Books
Audio recordings (mostly from Goa): http://bit.ly/GoaRecordings
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/7169727338/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/7169729932/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/7169734112/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/7169732110/in/photostream
Albertina Almeida
May 10, 2012, 5:35:31 AM5/10/12
to goa-bo...@googlegroups.com
I guess we are because of our backgrounds veering the focus on Goan Catholic cuisine. I also saw my mum using Isidore Coelho's book and when it did get badly dog-eared, she bought another copy at that time from the Bookshop at Mandovi. So Augusto, the research method can go faulty there :-).
I also have not come across any cookbooks on Goan Muslim cuisine, but I guess biryani etc have wonderfully got entrenched into our cuisine by now. However, I think there is still a big void in the cook-book world as far as Goan tribal cuisine is concerned. It may not be all that appealing to some palates because of a certain orientation on taste. But it is certainly nutritive, using locally available ingredients and their simple home remedies are superb. Or is there something already on this that I am not aware of?
albertina
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Third Thursday Goa Book Club" group.
To post to this group, send email to goa-bo...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to goa-book-clu...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/goa-book-club?hl=en.
--
(M) 09326137682
'Words are a form of action, capable of influencing change'. - Ingrid Bengis
Helga do Rosario Gomes
May 10, 2012, 8:46:32 AM5/10/12
to goa-bo...@googlegroups.com
Augusto, until you get into the kitchen the 'research' is not yours and so its unacceptable at least to me.
H
--
Helga do Rosario Gomes
610 West 115th Street
NY 10025
USA
http://www.goachitra.com/
Visit my blog at http://goantoantarctica.blogspot.com/
http://www.bigelow.org/elnino/
http://www.bigelow.org/climatechange/
H
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Third Thursday Goa Book Club" group.
To post to this group, send email to goa-bo...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to goa-book-clu...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/goa-book-club?hl=en.
--
Helga do Rosario Gomes
610 West 115th Street
NY 10025
USA
http://www.goachitra.com/
Visit my blog at http://goantoantarctica.blogspot.com/
http://www.bigelow.org/elnino/
http://www.bigelow.org/climatechange/
Jeanne Hromnik
May 11, 2012, 3:06:31 AM5/11/12
to goa-bo...@googlegroups.com
The best Goan cookbook is the one I am about to write, based on my recently-acquired grandmother's "Black recipe book, with written recipes". It is a treasure and the recipes travelled all the way to East Africa, where Goan cooking reached unimagined and fondly remembered heights.
Frederik will have first option on publishing, of course. Cookbooks encompass history, drama, ecology, nostalgia, geographical divides .. If cookbooks are all the market wants, it is because it is all it needs.
Jeanne
Frederik will have first option on publishing, of course. Cookbooks encompass history, drama, ecology, nostalgia, geographical divides .. If cookbooks are all the market wants, it is because it is all it needs.
Jeanne
--
augusto pinto
May 11, 2012, 5:53:34 AM5/11/12
to goa-bo...@googlegroups.com
Dear Jeanne
What a magnificent post! I must quote you," Cookbooks encompass history, drama, ecology, nostalgia, geographical divides .. If cookbooks are all the market wants, it is because it is all it needs." How true!
The suspense as we wait for your magnum opus is almost unbearable, Jeanne!
Of course as Helga will aver, I am sure, the proof of the cooking is in the eating and it remains to be seen how many dishes that Granny made were of pure Saraswat vintage and how many had the tribal touch, for Albertina will be waiting to count.
Speaking of Albertina, what is so special about tribal cuisine and when is the authentic Goan tribal cookbook going to come our way? Her recommendation,"nutritive, using locally available ingredients and their simple home remedies are superb" is tempting but puzzling for I do not recall ever tasting this.
Incidentally, I have a book of recipes in Konkani (Roman Script) called Gostachem Jevonn by Wajtyla de Sa published by Vavradeanche Ixtt in 2006. It includes authentic modern Goan specialities like Nusteachem Vindalu, Chikon Tik'ka and Tanteancho Masalo.
One of the most desired for dishes, when I on the rare occasion go out of Goa, apart from xitt kodi, is bhaji puri. Goan bhaji puri of all varieties including sukhi, usal, tomat, mixed, olmeachi, alsande, tisreanchi and so on is quite different from the ghanti variety.
Incidentally, there is a nice essay on Goa yet to be written called The Ghanti and the Gaunti.
Bon appetit!
Augusto
What a magnificent post! I must quote you," Cookbooks encompass history, drama, ecology, nostalgia, geographical divides .. If cookbooks are all the market wants, it is because it is all it needs." How true!
The suspense as we wait for your magnum opus is almost unbearable, Jeanne!
Of course as Helga will aver, I am sure, the proof of the cooking is in the eating and it remains to be seen how many dishes that Granny made were of pure Saraswat vintage and how many had the tribal touch, for Albertina will be waiting to count.
Speaking of Albertina, what is so special about tribal cuisine and when is the authentic Goan tribal cookbook going to come our way? Her recommendation,"nutritive, using locally available ingredients and their simple home remedies are superb" is tempting but puzzling for I do not recall ever tasting this.
Incidentally, I have a book of recipes in Konkani (Roman Script) called Gostachem Jevonn by Wajtyla de Sa published by Vavradeanche Ixtt in 2006. It includes authentic modern Goan specialities like Nusteachem Vindalu, Chikon Tik'ka and Tanteancho Masalo.
One of the most desired for dishes, when I on the rare occasion go out of Goa, apart from xitt kodi, is bhaji puri. Goan bhaji puri of all varieties including sukhi, usal, tomat, mixed, olmeachi, alsande, tisreanchi and so on is quite different from the ghanti variety.
Incidentally, there is a nice essay on Goa yet to be written called The Ghanti and the Gaunti.
Bon appetit!
Augusto
xanno_m...@yahoo.co.uk
May 11, 2012, 5:42:40 AM5/11/12
to goa-bo...@googlegroups.com
Dear Ms Hromnik
I believe the Romans subscribed to the school of thought that ad coques est creare beautitudinem - you must fotgive me if my Latin shows its rust.
I also like the way you let us all know what we can look forward to.
Excellent or as the old inhabitants of Via Appia would have said, carpe diem.
XM
Sent from Samsung Mobile
Sent from Samsung Mobile
Helga do Rosario Gomes
May 11, 2012, 9:11:48 AM5/11/12
to goa-bo...@googlegroups.com
I have no idea what that means. Is this an attempt at jest?
Helga
Frederick FN Noronha * फ्रेड्रिक नोरोन्या * فريدريك نورونيا
May 12, 2012, 12:44:06 AM5/12/12
to goa-bo...@googlegroups.com
Oh ye of little appetit (Augusto).
Stop pouring vinegar onto our hapless faith (or is it fate?). I see no
reason why you poke fun at authors, publishers, caste, tribal food,
grannies, and "authentic modern Goan specialities". That too, all in
one post.
Like you, I too have a copy of the cookbook by Wajtyla. (Those of our
lady members who insinuate that we guys are useless in the kitchen,
couldn't be further from the truth. Don't they know, after all, how
kitchen-obsessed we can be -- even if it's mainly at the level of
evaluating any works of art prepared there?) Like you, probably, I too
was wondering whether she was named after the Papal visit to Goa in
1986 (or was it 1987?)
FN
--
FN +91-832-2409490 or +91-9822122436 f...@goa-india.org
Books from Goa,1556 http://scr.bi/Goa1556Books
Audio recordings (mostly from Goa): http://bit.ly/GoaRecordings
Stop pouring vinegar onto our hapless faith (or is it fate?). I see no
reason why you poke fun at authors, publishers, caste, tribal food,
grannies, and "authentic modern Goan specialities". That too, all in
one post.
Like you, I too have a copy of the cookbook by Wajtyla. (Those of our
lady members who insinuate that we guys are useless in the kitchen,
couldn't be further from the truth. Don't they know, after all, how
kitchen-obsessed we can be -- even if it's mainly at the level of
evaluating any works of art prepared there?) Like you, probably, I too
was wondering whether she was named after the Papal visit to Goa in
1986 (or was it 1987?)
FN
--
FN +91-832-2409490 or +91-9822122436 f...@goa-india.org
Books from Goa,1556 http://scr.bi/Goa1556Books
Audio recordings (mostly from Goa): http://bit.ly/GoaRecordings
Jeanne Hromnik
May 12, 2012, 12:59:26 PM5/12/12
to goa-bo...@googlegroups.com
Was it only Moira-kars who responded to my half-in-jest post?
Though, of course, Frederick carries this debate (on what is the best Goan cookbook) to a higher level ( i.e. are men kitchen-obsessed and after whom was Wajtyla named).
For those whom it concerns: I am entirely serious about my cookbook, which is a literary effort -- not photographic (possibly cartoons) -- and even wanders into Goan folklore (I have also acquired and am very excited about Lucio Rodriguez's Soil and Soul and Konkani Folk Tales, replete with tales of the wise fools of Moira).
Would anyone like a copy of my authentic "Baby's rum punch" recipe? .I have just sampled it ... Very Goan and guaranteed to postpone publication date of proposed book.
Jeanne
Though, of course, Frederick carries this debate (on what is the best Goan cookbook) to a higher level ( i.e. are men kitchen-obsessed and after whom was Wajtyla named).
For those whom it concerns: I am entirely serious about my cookbook, which is a literary effort -- not photographic (possibly cartoons) -- and even wanders into Goan folklore (I have also acquired and am very excited about Lucio Rodriguez's Soil and Soul and Konkani Folk Tales, replete with tales of the wise fools of Moira).
Would anyone like a copy of my authentic "Baby's rum punch" recipe? .I have just sampled it ... Very Goan and guaranteed to postpone publication date of proposed book.
Jeanne
Helga do Rosario Gomes
May 12, 2012, 7:54:18 AM5/12/12
to goa-bo...@googlegroups.com
Making denigrate comments on castes is a part of this forum I thought?
--
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Third Thursday Goa Book Club" group.
To post to this group, send email to goa-bo...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to goa-book-clu...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/goa-book-club?hl=en.
--
xanno_m...@yahoo.co.uk
May 12, 2012, 2:10:45 PM5/12/12
to goa-bo...@googlegroups.com
Dear Ms Hromnik
I do not presume to speak for other Moidecars. On my part I assure you that I wish you nothing but success in your endeavour.
The cuisine of us Goemcars is certainly something that ought to be cherished and preserved for posterity.
All the very best. I look forward to your, what certainly sounds from your passionate declaration, a feast for both body and soul.
XM
Jeanne Hromnik wrote:
Was it only Moira-kars who responded to my half-in-jest post?
Though, of course, Frederick carries this debate (on what is the best Goan cookbook) to a higher level ( i.e. are men kitchen-obsessed and after whom was Wajtyla named).
For those whom it concerns: I am entirely serious about my cookbook, which is a literary effort -- not photographic (possibly cartoons) -- and even wanders into Goan folklore (I have also acquired and am very excited about Lucio Rodriguez's Soil and Soul and Konkani Folk Tales, replete with tales of the wise fools of Moira).
Would anyone like a copy of my authentic "Baby's rum punch" recipe? .I have just sampled it ... Very Goan and guaranteed to postpone publication date of proposed book.
Jeanne
Though, of course, Frederick carries this debate (on what is the best Goan cookbook) to a higher level ( i.e. are men kitchen-obsessed and after whom was Wajtyla named).
For those whom it concerns: I am entirely serious about my cookbook, which is a literary effort -- not photographic (possibly cartoons) -- and even wanders into Goan folklore (I have also acquired and am very excited about Lucio Rodriguez's Soil and Soul and Konkani Folk Tales, replete with tales of the wise fools of Moira).
Would anyone like a copy of my authentic "Baby's rum punch" recipe? .I have just sampled it ... Very Goan and guaranteed to postpone publication date of proposed book.
Jeanne
Tensing Rodrigues
May 12, 2012, 11:41:21 PM5/12/12
to goa-bo...@googlegroups.com
Lucio Rodrigues not
Lucio Rodriguez !
Tensing.
joe...@gmail.com
May 16, 2012, 9:44:10 AM5/16/12
to goa-bo...@googlegroups.com
Hi,
Here are some of the cookbook titles. It's quite a wide choice... and all the books are available at the Other India BookStore in Mapusa. This picture was from their stall at the recently held three-day Konkan Food Festival in Goa.
Viva goa
Apr 9, 2015, 1:48:35 AM4/9/15
to goa-bo...@googlegroups.com
Hi, Can u guide me to get my hands on the joyce fernandes cook books, m based in bombay..ur help is greatly appreciated..rgds Neil
Viva goa
Apr 9, 2015, 1:49:06 AM4/9/15
to goa-bo...@googlegroups.com
Hi, Can u guide me to get my hands on the joyce fernandes cook books, m based in bombay..ur help is greatly appreciated..rgds Neil
augusto pinto
Apr 9, 2015, 1:57:12 AM4/9/15
to goa-bo...@googlegroups.com
They should be available at Broadway Book House near Pharmacy College Panjim; or Golden Heart Emporium in Margao. There are lots of other Goan cookbooks too.
Augusto
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Goa Book Club" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to goa-book-clu...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Rafael Fernandes
Apr 10, 2015, 2:04:26 AM4/10/15
to goa-bo...@googlegroups.com
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages