As the festive season sets in, house parties and gatherings become a recurrent part of our social calendar. And one of the major challenges when hosting a party is deciding on a menu to satiate all tastes. Kebabs work as great options at parties because they are versatile, easy to make, and appeal both to vegetarian and non-vegetarian palates. Whether it is a small gathering or full celebration, kebabs are an appetizing appetizer that adds festivity to your party.
The best part? You don't need a tandoor or grill to make them. An Usha Calypso OTG
Chicken Malai Kebab
Creamy and tender, Chicken Malai Kebab is the ultimate call on every house party menu. Prepared from boneless pieces of chicken marinated in a mixture of cream and yoghurt along with mild spices, such as cardamom and pepper, this kebab variety simply melts in one's mouth. OTG is ideal for preparing these kebabs since one is able to grill them good enough to get that slight burn around the edges giving it that smoky taste.
Seekh Kebab
Originating from the Mughal era, Seekh Kebabs are, for sure, one of the party favourites. These kebabs are prepared by using minced meat-smashed from lamb or chicken, mixed with spices like garam masala, cumin, and coriander. The meat is shaped upon a skewer and barbecued till juicy and full of flavour. For Seekh Kebabs, the rotisserie function of your OTG can work like magic since it will be able to rotate them very nicely, even, and provide an appropriate cook and charred exterior or texture.
Fish Tikka Kebab
Fish Tikka Kebab is a must-have for all those who love seafood. These kebabs made of marinated fish chunks-pomfret or surmai-smear with a good amount of masalas such as red chilli, turmeric, and garam masala-are just perfect for a light and healthy appetizer. You can cook fish tikka kebabs in just a few minutes by using the grill function in your OTG. High heat ensures the outside becomes crisp while it remains soft and flaky inside.
Paneer Tikka Kebab
Paneer Tikka is the vegetarian counterpart of Chicken Tikka and never disappoints. Cubes of paneer or Indian cottage cheese, marinated in a mixture of yoghurt, tandoori masala, and other spices, are grilled to perfection. Paneer tikka kebabs are best cooked on the 'Grill' setting on your OTG, which crisps up the paneer while keeping it soft inside. That makes for a great vegetarian appetizer at any party.
Hara Bhara Kebab
A healthful and flavor-packed kebab, hara bhara kebab is prepared by using spinach, peas, and potatoes. Since it is packed with greens, it is good eating for all people. These are lightly spiced and then grilled to a golden crust. With the convection feature on in the OTG, these cook through perfectly, turning crispy outside but retaining much of their softness inside. These kebabs will do a great job for guests who like lighter, healthier options.
Dahi Ke Kebab
Dahi Ke Kebab, with its soft and velvety texture, is the star of every party. These kebabs would be prepared from hung curd, bread crumbs, and mild spices such as cumin and coriander powder. The baking feature of the OTG at medium temperature will make sure the kebabs are well cooked yet not crispy enough to keep the inside soft.
How to Use the OTG When Making Kebabs
When making kebabs in an OTG, knowing the right use of the appliance is very much required to get the perfect cook. Here are a few tips on how to use the OTG effectively.
Preheating the OTG
Preheating the OTG becomes very important for the kebabs to be cooked without having them burnt. Keep your OTG at the desired temperature (usually 180-200°C) and let it heat up for 10-15 minutes before placing the kebabs inside.
Grill or Rotisserie Feature
For the kebabs that need to be grilled, use the 'Grill' mode in your OTG. This mode will help cook the kebabs from all sides evenly. If your OTG has a rotisserie function, it is great for things like Seekh Kebabs. They ensure rotation for uniform cooking and slight charring.
Convection Mode for Even Cooking
Convection mode circulates the hot air, thereby cooking kebabs from all sides uniformly. This feature is perfect for vegetable kebabs, like Hara Bhara or Dahi Ke Kebab, that require more cooking but not drying.
Line Your Tray with Foil
Just line your baking or grilling tray with foil for any mess. It would catch the drips of the marinade and make cleaning a hell of a lot easier.
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