The Spirited Gourmet for Cashew Trail 2016 At Park Hyatt Goa

This year’s Cashew Trail kick started from 3rd April leading up to the grand Finale on 10th April 2016 in Park Hyatt Goa Resort And Spa. It was the 5th edition of the most loved Cashew and Feni Bonanza that has patrons reaching out to and being a part of it not only just from Goa but from across the globe. Check out their website for all details.

We reached Park Hyatt Goa Resort And Spa on 7th April, just in time to witness the Queen of mixology Shatbhi Basu stir up some magic with the spirits.

The spirited Gourmet session with Shatbhi Basu was all about making the most of the drinks and ingredients, which we all have in our homes and jazz up the simple recipes with her own twist. How many of you’ll can say that you will eat your cakes and mousses and then drink them too?? 😉

So this session was a fun and an interactive one, where she made spirited gourmet look like a walk down the crystal clear Goan beaches. I got to interact with her for sometime, post her session wherein she listed down few of her most favourites out of the lot she demonstrated that day. One of them was the “Salsa dip” which was topped with Tequila and could be used just as a spread too on your toast with your cuppa.

My quick conversation with the #Queen of #Mixology #ShatbhiBasu during the #SpiritedGourmet Session at @parkhyattgoa #CashewTrail Article about this interesting day COMING UP on my #Blog tonight!! #StayTuned #SpruceUpYourRecipies #CashewTrail2016 #ParkHyattGoa #DIY #SalsaDip #WithATwist #SassyShifSays #SassyGalInTheCity #SassyShifTravels #GoaMadness #GoaDiaries #WithLove
A video posted by Shifa Merchant (@sassyshifsays) on Apr 17, 2016 at 12:03pm PDT

Mango Cream Cheese Margarita with Aged Feni & Tequila and Chocolate Mousse with Orange Vodka were the hot favourites amongst all the women too who were a part of this session. What an energy ball Shatbhi is!!! I am already dreaming of the next session with her. Kudos to Park Hyatt Goa Resort And Spa for introducing this Spirited Gourmet Session.

After chilling for sometime in the vast lush green property of Park Hyatt Goa Resort And Spa, we headed to the Palms which is located right adjoining the beautiful beach in their property itself. In a Hyatt World, by their own Hyatt beach – A true HEAVEN!!

The dinner was a delightful six-course meal with some awesome company.

1) Goat cheese, apple compote and pistachio dust – Freshly made apple compote could be a part of your French toasts as well for those light breakfasts. It tasted exceptional with goat cheese drizzled with pistachio dust.

2) Scallop, pisco and passion fruit – The refrigerated scallops were thinly cut without corals and topped with a puree of pistachios and passion fruit with freshly cut red chillies. I liked the spicy and tangy mix of flavours and especially the after taste of the chilly that lingers.

3) Seafood cakes, fresh cashew fruit and fennel slaw – Perfectly brown seafood cakes topped with fresh cashew and fennel slaw are my hot favourites. I can eat seafood cakes on a repeat mode from breakfast to dinner all through the week. And when it tastes like this, then there’s no stopping me ever!!! The fennel slaw reminded me of my garden picnics while growing up, so fresh and crunchy.

4) Golden tomato soup with baby basil – Don’t be deceived by its looks, it packs quite a punch XD. This soup with lemon zest can be devoured both as chilled and hot.

5) Assorted Seafood Platter, Prawns, Sea Bass and Squid – This grilled seafood platter is a must have at Park Hyatt Goa, overlooked by Chef Saulo. All these dishes were prepared under the supervision of his expertise.

6) The Grand Desserts – All the desserts were prepared using the most favourite fruit of Goa – Cashews!! Cashew Brownie with Chocolate Urak Sauce (1st) Cashew Crumble (2nd) & Fresh Cashew fruit feni trifle (3). All 3 desserts had unique flavours and I enjoyed each one thoroughly.