So, here’s a fact of life that every foodie, home chef, chef and homemaker knows—cooking is not easy. Yes, it’s a life skill and an art, but it’s not easy. You have to manage everything from temperatures and so many techniques, from sauteeing to boiling to stir-frying, to be able to cook your meals. But what if you could prepare meals without cooking at all? That’s precisely what the new trend of no oil no boil or fireless cooking is all about, and it’s just what you need on weekdays.
For those who don’t know, no oil no boil is a style of food preparation that involves cooking meals without the use of any oil and without boiling or applying direct heat to the ingredients. Instead of frying, sautéing, or boiling, the no oil no boil method relies on alternative techniques to prepare dishes, emphasizing raw or pre-cooked ingredients and using ingredients' natural flavors and textures to create tasty and nutritious meals.
In no oil no boil cooking, common methods include:
Raw Food Preparation: Utilizing raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds to create salads, smoothies, and raw desserts without any cooking involved.
Marinating: Allowing ingredients to marinate in a flavorful sauce or dressing to infuse flavors and soften textures.
Pickling: Preserving vegetables or fruits in vinegar or brine, adding tanginess and enhancing their shelf life.
Fermenting: Allowing natural fermentation processes to create probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut.
Soaking: Preparing dishes that involve soaking ingredients like grains, nuts, or legumes to soften them and make them easier to digest.
Blending: Creating soups, sauces, and dips by blending raw or soaked ingredients to achieve smooth and creamy textures.
Sprouting: Growing sprouts from seeds, grains, or legumes to enhance their nutritional value and incorporate them into salads and other dishes.
Video Credit: YouTube/HomeCookingShow
No oil, no boil cooking is embraced by those seeking healthier food choices, as it eliminates added fats and reduces the loss of nutrients that may occur during traditional cooking methods. It also promotes the consumption of raw and minimally processed ingredients, leading to increased intake of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and dietary fiber. Additionally, this style of cooking is often associated with plant-based or raw food diets, which have gained popularity due to their potential health benefits and eco-friendly nature.
Wondering how to start out with no oil no boil food preparation? Here are some Indian-inspired dishes you can prepare using the hassle-free no oil no boil method.
Sprouted Moong Salad
This is a refreshing and nutritious salad made with sprouted moong beans, mixed with chopped vegetables like onions, tomatoes, cucumber, green chillies, lemon juice, and mild spices. It's a perfect low-fat and fiber-rich dish packed with vitamins and minerals.
Bhel
This puffed rice dish does taste better when ingredients are dry roasted, but trust us, a bhel tastes amazing even without all that. Toss some puffed rice with onions, tomatoes, peanuts, chillies, cucumbers and herbs and spices to make a delicious bhel.
Raw Mango Chaat
A tangy and zesty chaat made with raw mangoes, mixed with chopped onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and chaat masala, this is just the season for a raw mango chaat. It's a delightful snack bursting with flavors, providing a good dose of vitamin C and aiding digestion.
Veg Raita
A cooling and creamy yogurt-based side dish prepared with grated cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, green chillies, yogurt, roasted cumin powder, and a pinch of salt, veg raita is rehydrating and filling. It complements spicy meals, aids in digestion, and is a great source of hydration during hot summer days.
Paneer Tikka Skewers
You thought you can only make these skewers loaded with marinated paneer chunks, bell peppers, and onions by using heat? What you need to do is let the paneer marinate in mild spices and then consume without cooking. This protein-packed snack is flavorsome, can be enjoyed with mint chutney, and makes for a perfect appetizer or party dish.
Dates And Nuts Laddoos
A no-bake treat made with dates, assorted nuts, and a touch of honey or maple syrup this one can be made easily blending ingredients together. Then, the ingredients can be rolled into bite-sized balls or ladoos. These energy-packed snacks are perfect for a quick boost of energy, providing essential nutrients, fiber, and natural sweetness.
Coconut Chutney
A classic South Indian condiment made with fresh coconut, green chilies, ginger, and tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and asafoetida, you can pair coconut chutney with plenty of dishes. This versatile chutney pairs well with dosas, idlis, and vadas, offering a burst of flavors while being light and oil-free.