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In the high stakes environment of a cricket match party, the kitchen needs to function like a well oiled machine. There is no time for slow simmering or complex marinades when the opening batsmen are taking their guard. The goal is to produce snacks that offer maximum flavour with minimum active cooking time. By focusing on assembly and high heat techniques, you can ensure that your guests are well fed without missing the highlights. An Usha infrared cooktop is the perfect tool for this kind of sprint. Its ability to reach high temperatures almost instantly means you are not waiting for a coil to warm up or a flame to stabilise. The direct radiant heat is particularly effective for flash frying and quick toasting, which are the foundations of great last minute snacks. Because the surface stays hot, you can move from one batch to the next with zero downtime, keeping the snack bowl topped up through every over.
5 Minute Crispy Masala Corn
Frozen or canned sweet corn is a lifesaver for the last minute host. It requires almost no prep and cooks in a flash. For this snack, toss the corn in a small bowl with a spoonful of cornflour, red chilli powder, and chaat masala. Set your infrared cooktop to a high stir fry setting and add a splash of oil to a wide pan. Throw in the corn and keep it moving. The intense heat will crisp up the cornflour coating in under three minutes, creating a crunchy, addictive snack that is far better than anything from a packet. Finish with a squeeze of lime and a handful of fresh coriander right before serving.
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Instant Bread Pizza Discs
If you have a loaf of bread and some cheese in the fridge, you have a gourmet snack ready to go. Use a glass or a round cutter to stamp out circles from the bread slices. Lightly butter one side and place them butter side down on a flat tawa on your infrared cooktop. Top the bread with a little tomato ketchup or pizza sauce, a sprinkle of oregano, and a handful of grated cheese. Cover the pan with a lid for sixty seconds. The infrared heat will toast the bottom to a perfect crunch while the trapped steam melts the cheese on top. It is a faster and more satisfying alternative to ordering in, and you can customise the toppings based on whatever vegetables are lurking in your crisper drawer.
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Quick Paneer Pepper Fry
Paneer is the ultimate emergency protein because it requires no cleaning or long cooking times. Cut a block of paneer into small, half inch cubes. In a small bowl, mix them with black pepper, salt, and a little turmeric. Heat a tawa on the BBQ setting of your infrared cooktop. Sear the paneer cubes for two minutes on each side until they have a dark, golden crust. The radiant heat of the infrared surface ensures the paneer gets a smoky, grilled finish without becoming rubbery. Toss in some curry leaves and slit green chillies at the very end for an aromatic punch that feels like it took much longer to prepare than it actually did.
Image credit: Adobe Stock
Masala Papad Nachos
This is an Indian fusion take on the classic stadium snack. Instead of corn chips, use roasted papads. You can roast the papads directly on the infrared cooktop surface or in a dry pan; it takes only seconds for them to bubble and crisp up. Break the papads into large shards and arrange them on a platter. Top with finely chopped onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Drizzle some whisked yoghurt and tamarind chutney over the top, and finish with a heavy dusting of sev. Because the papads are roasted and the vegetables are fresh, this is a light and refreshing snack that provides a great crunch during the tense middle overs of the match.
Image credit: Adobe Stock
Chilli Garlic Potato Strings
If you have five minutes and a couple of potatoes, you can make a snack that looks like it came from a professional kitchen. Use a grater or a mandolin to create very thin potato strings. Pat them dry with a kitchen towel to remove excess starch. Set your infrared cooktop to its highest power setting and heat a thin layer of oil in a wide frying pan. Drop the potato strings in small batches. They will turn golden and brittle in less than ninety seconds. Drain them and immediately toss with garlic powder and dried chilli flakes. These are infinitely better than store bought potato sticks and can be made in massive quantities very easily.
