There’s more to Goan cuisine than fenny, vindaloo, and bebinca. In fact, Goan cuisine is home to one of the most creamy mushroom recipes, the mushroom xacuti. A vegan adaptation of the traditional chicken xacuti, this mushroom recipe yields a spicy curry that pairs beautifully with buttered pav or steamed rice. Xacuti, an authentic Goan spice blend, is what lends it the signature taste.
Traditionally, the recipe used wild or forest mushrooms, available during the rainy season. However, you can also use simple, store-bought mushrooms. Follow this mushroom xacuti recipe to jazz up your weekly dinners, or as one of the many dishes of an elaborate feast — it won’t disappoint!
1 tbspOil
400 gButton mushrooms, sliced
1–1½ tspTamarind pulp, soaked and strained
2Onions, finely chopped
3Cloves
¼ cupDesiccated coconut
1½–2 tbspCoriander seeds
½ tspFennel seeds
1 tbspGinger-garlic paste
4Dry red chillies
1 tbspPoppy seeds
½ tspTurmeric powder
11-inch cinnamon stick
1 tbspWhole black peppercorns
1 tbspCumin seeds
¼ tspFenugreek seeds
4-6 sprigsCoriander, finely chopped
to tasteSalt
As neededWater