More than sun, beaches and generous hospitality, Fiji is home to beautiful cuisine that you can make at home from locally sourced ingredients. Fiji is a multicultural country with flavour influences from India and China - think curries, creamy coconut and lots of fresh seafood. Head to your local fishmonger and greengrocer and fill up the fridge, it’s island time!
The ingredients
- Fresh fish
- Prawns
- Mud crabs
- Chicken
- Lamb
- Coconut
- Cassava
- Lime
- Tomato
- Banana
- Passion fruit
- Mango
- Garlic
- Chilli
- Ginger
- Coriander
- Mint
Kokoda
Beginner Cooks
Considered Fiji’s national dish, Kokoda is top of our list! Similar to ceviche, Kokoda uses citrus to lightly ‘cook’ the fish, which combined with velvety coconut cream creates the most refreshingly tangy flavour! Follow this easy Kokoda recipe to recreate at home.
Mud Crab Curry
Experienced Cooks
If you’re daunted by the prospect of cooking crab at home, you’re not alone. But if you are up to a challenge, Fijian style crab curry is truly delicious. Our top tip for choosing the best crab is the fresher the better. Try to buy them live if you can and always watch out for the claws!
Fiji-style BBQ
Beginner Cooks
Up your BBQ game this summer and add Fijian flavours into the mix. This recipe will help you create flavourful Fijian-Indian lamb and chicken, but you could use any meat of your choice. Remember to marinate the day before you fire up the grill for a deeper flavour and tender meat.
Spicy Fijian Prawns
Beginner Cooks
It's no secret that Aussies love their prawns! Change things up with this saucy Fijian Prawn Recipe. Spicy and fresh with lots of coriander, some may say this is the ONLY way to eat prawns. Give it a go - you'll thank us!
Vakalolo - Cassava Dessert
Intermediate Cooks
If you have a sweet tooth, Vakalolo is for you! This traditional Fijian dessert uses sweetened cassava and coconut steamed in banana leaves. If you can't find fresh cassava, try shredded cassava usually found in Asian and Indian supermarkets.
Fijian Sunshine Mocktail
Beginner Cooks
We're not sure if this could technically be called cooking, but Fiji is known for their tropical cocktails and mocktails. Any delectable beverage of fresh fruits is a win in our books! This recipe is a good foundation to start with and there are limitless tropical fruity flavours to add to the mix!
We hope your foray into Fijian cooking brings you the ‘Bula Spirit’. More than a greeting, the Bula Spirit is a wish for happiness, good health and energy of life!
Where should we take you on our next instalment of food holidays at home? Let us know on Facebook!
