Pork Vindaloo

Pork Vindaloo: A Spicy and Tangy Goan Curry

If you love spicy and tangy food, you will enjoy pork vindaloo, a popular dish from Goa, India. Pork vindaloo is a rich and flavorful curry that combines tender pork pieces with a sauce made of red chilies, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and spices. The name vindaloo comes from the Portuguese term vinha d’alhos, which means cooked in wine. The original dish was brought to India by Portuguese explorers, who used wine vinegar to preserve the meat. Over time, the dish was adapted by Goans using local ingredients and spices, such as Kashmiri red chilies, which give the curry its distinctive red color.

To make pork vindaloo, you will need:

  • 1 kg of pork shoulder, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 10 dried Kashmiri red chilies, soaked in warm water for 15 minutes
  • 10 garlic cloves
  • 2-inch piece of ginger
  • 1/4 cup of vinegar (preferably plum or apple cider)
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons of oil
  • 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 4 cloves
  • 4 green cardamom pods
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup of water
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

To prepare the pork vindaloo, follow these steps:

  1. In a blender, grind the soaked red chilies, garlic, ginger, vinegar, salt, turmeric, and pepper into a smooth paste. Transfer to a bowl and add the pork pieces. Mix well and marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
  2. In a large pot or pressure cooker, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom pods, and bay leaves. Fry for a few seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add onion and sauté until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
  4. Add the marinated pork along with any remaining marinade and water. Mix well and bring to a boil.
  5. If using a pot, lower the heat and simmer until the pork is tender and the sauce is thickened, about an hour. If using a pressure cooker, cook for 15 minutes after the first whistle.
  6. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot with rice or bread.

Enjoy this delicious pork vindaloo with your family and friends. It is a great dish for special occasions or when you crave some spicy food.