The Khoja cuisine belonging to the close knit community found in places like Mumbai, Gujarat and Hyderabad is coming out of the family cook books into commercial kitchens. Ranging from kheema samosas, paaya to raan and muthiya, Khoja food is defined by the simplicity of its flavours. Khoja food has the power to bring the community and families together. Tapping the same concept this coming festival of Eid, Vivanta by Taj will be introducing the culinary delights of the Khoja community. The Khoja ancestors travelled to Bombay from Iran, via Gujarat. So, the food has heavy influences of Iranian and Gujarati cuisine.
Vivanta by Taj, Panaji being the promoter of culinary expertise across global, is bringing the Khoja cuisine for the first time in Goa now in a 11-day long festival starting from June 15-25. The event has been conceptualised keeping in mind the celebration for the upcoming festival of Eid. The sumptuous menu will bring an array of specially curated dishes such as machchli ka saalan - fish in a chilli, tamarind and sesame curry with Bhavnagari chillies, mutton undhiyo - a tribute to the classical undhiyo, where in lamb is cooked with seasonal vegetables and fenugreek dumplings, Khoja gosht biryani - traditional lamb biryani from the house of Khojas prepared with culinary expertise of the master chefs of Vivanta by Taj.
One will be able to try a wide spread of scrumptious starters mutton naan chaap - curried lamb sandwiched in oven baked naan buns, patti samosa - chicken and spring onion wrapped in pastry sheets and crisp fried, junagadhi kebab - tender lamb and pearl millet kebabs. Ingredients such as dill (representing Iranian influence), tamarind (from Gujarati cuisine) and coconut are used in abundance. For instance, the kheema samosa has a generous sprinkling of dill leaves, adding to its smokiness. Also to satiate the sweet tooth one could devour desserts like pav ka halwa, anjeer halwa and Ramzan malpua - the perfect way to round off a mouth-watering palate.
Regional food has taken off in a big way over the last couple of years. Dishes from Bihar, Kashmir, Konkan and those belonging to various communities such as Bohri and Khoja. Be a part of the jovial atmosphere, accented by the aromas and tastes of authentic Khoja cuisine narrating its culture and history.
(The Khoja food festival will start from June 15- 25, 2018, where lunch will be served at 12:30 pm “ 3:30 pm and dinner: 7:00 pm “ 11:00 pm at Latitude, Vivanta by Taj, Panaji. Contact +91 832 6633636 )
