OPOS (One Pot One Shot)cooking technique has gotten popular among food enthusiasts. This technique uses high heat & flash cooking method using a pressure cooker to cook many dishes. You can read more about OPOS technique here.
I realised that I've always been flash cooking my vegetables to make a South Indian dry curry/Palya. Flash cooking saves time, it retains the colour of the vegetables & it is never overcooked, which retains the crunch of the vegetables. Plus, it gets done in a pressure cooker which is very convenient for me.
I have mentioned both the old way of Flash cooking as well as the OPOS method. Both are easy & both work.
I have mentioned both the old way of Flash cooking as well as the OPOS method. Both are easy & both work.
You Will Need:
- 250g Green Beans
- 2 large Carrots
- 2 tablespoon grated coconut
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon Cumin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon Urad Dal
- 1/2 teaspoon Chana Dal
- A big pinch of Asafoetida/Hing
- 2 teaspoon cooking oil
- 3 Green Chilies
- Salt as per taste
How To Flash Cook Vegetables
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Method 1: (Old Method)
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Trim the ends of the beans & chop them. Clean the carrots & peel the skin if you wish to & dice them
In a Pressure Cooker (I use a Hawkins 2.5L Pressure Cooker), bring 3 cups of water to a boil, Add the beans & carrots. Cover it with add some salt.
Close the lid & let the steam build, After 1 whistle, turn off the stove. Manually release pressure by putting the pressure cooker under running water or use a spoon or a spatula. The pressure is released almost immediately
Open the lid & transfer the beans & carrots into a colander & set aside for a few minutes for the water to be drained completely
Method 2: (OPOS Method)
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Take a 2 L or a 3 L Pressure Cooker ( I use a Hawkins 2.5 L ) Spread 2 teaspoon of oil evenly. Now add 3 tablespoons of water & spread evenly. Now, spread the chopped beans & carrots evenly & sprinkle some salt on top.
Close the lid & cook on high flame & let the pressure build up. After 2 whistles, turn off the heat & manually release pressure using a spoon or a spatula or place the cooker under running water.
Your beans & Carrots will be cooked to perfection.
Now Proceed to make the Palya:
In a thick bottomed Kadhai, heat oil, splutter mustard & cumin seeds. Add hing, Urad Dal & Chana Dal & fry until they slightly change colour. Add Slit Green Chilies & Curry Leaves. Add the cooked Beans & carrots & some salt & mix well. Add grated coconut & give it another mix. Turn off the heat & garnish with chopped coriander.
Serve along with Rice & Saaru or even Chapatis
NOTE:
-- I also use this method to flash cook Cabbage & it works well.
-- If you are trying the OPOS technique for the first time, watch this Video about how to flash cook using this technique. It is a very detailed & precise video
