Jeevkadgi Phodi
Crispy, pan-fried breadfruit slices coated in a spicy semolina crust. This Goan classic is a perfect side dish, offering a unique texture that's soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside. A delightful tea-time snack or accompaniment to a traditional meal.
For 4 servings
Prepare the breadfruit
- Wash the breadfruit thoroughly under running water.
- Using a sturdy peeler or knife, peel off the thick, bumpy green skin.
- Cut the breadfruit in half lengthwise and scoop out the soft, spongy central core.
- Slice the breadfruit into uniform semi-circles, about 1/4 inch thick.
Marinate the slices
- In a small bowl, combine the red chili powder, turmeric powder, hing, and salt.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of water to form a thick, spreadable paste.
- Gently apply this spice paste evenly over both sides of each breadfruit slice.
- Set the slices aside to marinate for about 10 minutes.
Prepare the coating and pan
- On a flat plate or shallow dish, mix the semolina (rava) and rice flour together.
- Heat about 1/4 cup of oil in a wide, flat pan or tawa over medium heat.
Coat and shallow fry the phodis
- Take one marinated slice at a time and press it into the semolina mixture, ensuring it's well-coated on all sides.
- Carefully place the coated slices onto the hot pan in a single layer. Do not overcrowd.
- Fry for 4-5 minutes on the first side, or until it's golden brown and crisp.
- Flip the slices carefully, drizzle a little more oil if needed, and fry the other side for another 4-5 minutes.
- Once both sides are crisp and the breadfruit is cooked through, remove the phodis and place them on a wire rack to drain any excess oil.
- Repeat the process with the remaining slices, adding more oil to the pan as needed.
Serve immediately.
- Jeevkadgi Phodi is best enjoyed hot and crispy, either as a snack or as a side dish with rice and curry.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Ensure your breadfruit is firm and not overly ripe for the best texture.
- 2Cut the slices to a uniform thickness to ensure they all cook at the same rate.
- 3Do not marinate for too long, as the salt will draw out water and make the slices soggy.
- 4Fry on a steady medium heat. High heat will burn the coating before the inside is cooked, and low heat will make them absorb too much oil.
- 5For an extra crispy crust, you can double-coat the slices in the semolina mixture.
- 6Serve immediately, as they tend to lose their crispiness upon cooling.
Adapt it for your goals.
Gluten free
Replace semolina entirely with rice flour or chickpea flour (besan) for the coating. Ensure your asafoetida is certified gluten-free.
quickQuick
Skip the paste and marination. Mix all the dry spice powders directly with the semolina and rice flour, then coat the plain breadfruit slices and fry.
tangyTangy
Add 1 teaspoon of tamarind paste or kokum agal to the spice marinade for a tangy Goan twist. Adjust salt as needed.
