Over centuries of Portuguese rule, these pastries worked their way into the Goan palate. A good example of this mixing is the "Ross Omelette", which is an omelette covered in a spicy gravy and served with pav.
A "thali" is a silver plate with small bowls (katoris) used to offer a balanced meal. Thalis can be seen all across India, but your location will determine what is in your thali! When I go to university, I eat at the canteen which offers several thali options for lunch. I also often find myself there for chai around 3PM!
My favorite thali from the university canteen is the prawn thali, but I've also tried the bangda (mackerel) and chicken thalis. I have included a picture of the bangda thali. Here is a breakdown of everything that is on this plate:
-Bangda: The fish is coated in a rava fry and serves as the main protein for the dish.
-One scoop of rice: This is the primary grain which serves as a base for all the various elements.
-One papadam: This is a thin piece of flatbread often had as a snack or as a side to a larger dish.
-Gravy: This is poured on top of the rice and eaten with the fish to bring the flavors of the meal together.
-Bhindi: Often referred to as "lady fingers", bhindi is the primary vegetable featured in this thali.
-Achaar: This is a spicy and tangy pickled vegetable used to add flavor to the meal. Only a little bit is needed as it packs quite a punch!
