Fijian food is a tasty fusion of fresh tropical ingredients, blended with timeless recipes and cooking methods. Collecting European and Asian influence along the way, the flavours are subtle and as relaxed as their culture.
Meals typically consist of tapioca, sweet potato, taro and meat. Traditionally this was cooked in an outdoor underground oven, a Lovo.
Most resorts feature a Lovo night once a week, thereby giving guests the opportunity to try this unique cooking method.
Another meal the Fijians love is Kokoda, pronounced kokonda (Fijian Ceviche). This refreshing dish consists of freshly caught local fish marinated in coconut cream, lime, lemon, onions chilli and tomatoes.
This cooking process results in tender, mouth watering pieces of fish you can enjoy as a whole meal or try it combined with a fresh fruit salad.
Image: Thisislandlife.com
If you stay at Musket Cove Resort your cooking class will have you making this from scratch, including squeezing the coconut milk from the fruit and picking other ingredients from the organic farm.
If you’d like to give it a go in the meantime, here’s the recipe to serve about four people;
INGREDIENTS:
Image: Gamefishingfiji.com
1kg of very fresh fish fillets like mahi-mahi or snapper – skinned
About one cup of lime or lemon juice
One medium-sized red onion, finely diced
One to two red chillies, minced
Two cups of finely chopped tomato
Several spring onions, finely sliced
A few stems of coriander leaves
One cup of coconut milk, add a bit more to cover the fish
½ tablespoon sea salt
Lime wedges to serve
METHOD:
First cut the fish into 1cm squares.
Take a bowl and combine the fish, the citrus juices and chilli, marinate for about 45 minutes or until the fish is white in colour. Overnight is good if you have the time.
Then add the onion, tomato, spring onion, coriander, coconut milk and salt (to taste).
Mix well, re-chill and serve with lime wedges and extra coriander. To make it look extra fancy, serve in large sea shells or coconut shells.
Rooms at the Musket Cove Resort start from AU$339 per night.
Head over to www.musketcovefiji.com for more information