OPOS 7 Mins Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken tikka masala was (or is?)  the national dish of the UK. The rich red color and taste took the English by storm. However I do not really approve the food color added to the food for that brilliant red. The same can be achieved by either the Cayenne pepper or Kashimiri chilli powder.  What really happens is when the chicken is cooked for long, the brilliant red becomes a dull brick if the color is not added.   What if I show you a way to get the same color and cook the chicken in 7 mins?

As you have seen my other posts, OPOS is a way of fast cooking in a scientific way that retains the freshness of the ingredients and also the vitamins and proteins without any loss of taste.  This method breaks down dishes to their building blocks allowing you to prepare anything anywhere with the same results.

My better half does the OPOS as I am not too organized and prefer to do it on my own terms. But OPOS does produce some phenomenal results

Ingredients

Chicken drumsticks with shalow slits (3-4 pieces) that will fit into a 2 ltr cooker, 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste, 1 tbsp yoghurt, 1 tsp garam masala, 2 tsp kashmiri chilli powder,  1 tsp regular chilli powder (optional if you want it spicy), 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp oil, 2 lts cooker !!

Note 1 – Before you begin, the cooker must be standardized first. Read about it here

Note 2 – I prefer to use induction as its more controlled than a gas flame

Note 3 – Use a timer and measure cups and spoons. Do not change or experiment

Method

1. Mix all ingredients well so the drumsticks  are coated well and also into those slits
2. Pour 1 tbsp water in the pressure cooker
3. Pour 3 tbsp ghee as second layer
4. Wipe off excess spice from the side of the chicken drumstick that you place in the cooker to avoid burning
5. Place shallots in between the pieces.
6. Add a 1 deseeded whole tomato filled with 3 tbsp almond powder.  Another deseeded tomato filled with yoghurt and a full tomato.  My better half used cashewnut powder.
7. Cook on high for 7 mins or 8 whistles
8. You will find the tomato brillantly cooked and so will the shallots.  The chicken will also be exquisitely charred.   Remove the pieces and blend the tomato and the gravy in the cooker to a crude paste (or fine if you like it silky). The color you get will be unbelievable.  Add back the chicken pieces. mix well and enjoy.

Note – To make it malai chicken tikka just add 1/4 cup of cream !! Yes it’s that simple 🙂

Any change in the whistles or if you forget to monitor it will result in burnt gravy. OPOS is a very regulated method and any change will be its undoing.  Hey it’s just 7 minutes.  Use a timer

If you like this method join the OPOS school facebook group and watch videos on the OPOS Chef channel

Let me know about your experience as well 🙂