Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
served with rice, grains (lentils or haricot beans),
brèdes
(local spinach) and
rougail
, a
spicy chutney that mixes tomato, garlic, ginger and chillies; other preparations of
rougail
may include a mixture of green mango and citrus.
The word
rougail
is a bit confusing, though. It's also used for some variations of
carris
.
Rougail saucisses
is in fact sausages cooked in tomato sauce, while
rougail boucané
is a
smoked-pork
carri
(without saffron), and
rougail morue
is cod
carri
(also without saf-
fron). You'll also find
civet
, which is another variety of stew. A widespread Tamil stew is
cabri massalé
(goat
carri
). On top of this, you'll find excellent beef (usually imported
from South Africa) prepared in all its forms (steak, sirloin, rib).
Snacks include samosas,
beignets
(fritters) and
bonbons piments
(chilli fritters). You'll
also find cheap and tasty sandwiches.
Seafood
Seafood lovers will be delighted to hear that the warm waters of the Indian Ocean provide
an ample net of produce: lobster, prawns,
légine
(toothfish), swordfish, marlin, tuna and
shark, among others. Freshwater prawns, usually served in
carri
, are highly prized.
Breakfast
Breakfast is decidedly French:
pain-beurre-confiture
(baguette, butter and jam) served
with coffee, tea or hot chocolate is the most common threesome. Added treats may in-
clude croissants,
pain au chocola
t (chocolate-filled pastry), brioches and honey.
Desserts
What about desserts? If you like carb-laden cakes and pies, you'll be happy in Réunion.
Each family has its own recipe for
gâteaux maison
(homemade cakes), which come in
various guises. They are usually made from vanilla, banana, sweet potato, maize, carrot,
guava… One favourite is
macatia
(a variety of bun), which can also be served at break-
fast.
Fruits
Fruits reign supreme in Réunion. Two iconic Réunionnais fruits are
litchis
(lychees) and
ananas Victoria
(pineapple of the Victoria variety). Local mangoes, passionfruit and
