I Survived A Day Cooking Only In OTG: Here's What Worked, What Didn't

What if someday your gas runs out and all you have is an OTG to survive the day? That's what I challenged myself to try. For a whole day, I tried making the most out of my old OTG and seeing what it is truly capable of. From a failed daal experiment to a successful chicken recipe and sweet desserts, it was truly a rollercoaster. But between these undercooked edges and juicy vegetables, here is how I survived a day cooking only in the OTG. 

Here Is How OTG Helped Me Cook Meals For The Entire Day; Photo Credit: Pexels

Breakfast: An Attempt To Cook Eggs And Bread

Since I'm not a seasoned chef, I started with simple meals for the week. For day 1 breakfast, I tried to make eggs and toast in my old OTG that is still going strong. Although I love my eggs well-cooked into an omelette or scrambled, it was not possible with an OTG. 
So instead, I cracked eggs, added a few veggies, and seasonings. I let this batter cook until it looked well-cooked. Next, I placed the bread in the middle rack to get perfectly crisp edges. If I'm being honest, this breakfast tasted better than I thought. 

Lunch: Satisfying Cravings

Once my breakfast was sorted, I relaxed until it was time for the next meal. For lunch, I was craving chicken, but not runny like those eggs in the morning. The best part about having an OTG at home is its grilling and roasting features. 

I prepared a simple marination using curd and some spices. Next, I marinated small chicken pieces and vegetable cubes for an hour. Once this was done, I placed chicken cubes on the oven rack and vegetables in the bottom baking pan to catch chicken juices. To my surprise, my chicken was cooked well and tasted amazing. I will definitely try it again. 

Here Is How OTG Helped Me Cook Meals For The Entire Day; Photo Credit: Pexels

Snacks: Toasting And Roasting Deliciousness

I can have garlic bread at any time of the day, and that's what I decided to make for my snack time. It was easy, quick, and above all, mess-free. First, I preheated my OTG at 180 degrees Celsius. Next, I applied a thick layer of butter, finely chopped garlic, grated cheese, chili flakes, salt, and oregano. And in the next 10 minutes, my house smelled like a bakery, and my plate was full of delicious garlic bread. This is definitely a thumbs up from my side. 

Also Read: Top 5 OTG Microwave Picks Under ₹5000 To Shop Today

Dinner: An Unevenly Cooked Disaster

As my day with cooking only in the OTG was going surprisingly well, things decided to take a turn. I thought, why not prepare fulling daal in it? As I waited for the moong daal to slow cook, it started to turn crusty, dry, and uneven. Even after covering the container with foil and adding extra water, it wasn't a success. So, lesson learned, OTGs may not be the best option for cooking Indian main courses. 

Here Is How OTG Helped Me Cook Meals For The Entire Day; Photo Credit: Pexels

Dessert: A Sweet End To My Day

The OTG couldn't defeat my cooking endeavors after a failed attempt to cook daal in it. So, to end things on a sweet note, I decided to cook a small portion of chocolate lava cake. And let me, it was the best decision of my life. 

Simply add dark chocolate, butter, eggs, sugar, flour, and chocolate chips to a baking dish. Let the OTG bake it for 10 minutes and keep checking in between to prevent it from burning. This was hands down my best attempt at cooking something edible. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking With OTGs (FAQs)

1. What food can be cooked in OTG?

You can use OTGs to cook a large variety of delicious food, like cookies, eggs, grilled chicken, grilled vegetables, and mug cake.

2. Can we bake a cake in the OTG?

Yes, you can bake cakes in an OTG. Just make sure to set the right temperature and time to get an evenly cooked, soft cake at home. 

3. Which is better, OTG or microwave?

While an OTG is ideal for baking, grilling, and roasting, microwaves are more suitable for quick reheating and defrosting. The final choice depends on your personal requirements. 

4. Can we use aluminium foil in OTG ovens?

Yes, you can use aluminum foil while cooking in your OTG. 

Products Related To This Article

1. WONDERCHEF 10-Litre Oven Toaster Grill (OTG)  (WCOTG01OTG1001, Black)

2. Pigeon 25-Litre with Rotisserie Oven Toaster Grill (OTG)  (HANA CODE - 19003847 & 14347-M, Black)#JustHere

3. BAJAJ 16-Litre Oven Toaster Grill (OTG)  (1603 16L, White)

4. Pigeon 20-Litre Oven Toaster Grill (OTG) (16321/16132/19004057., Black)

5. Pigeon 9-Litre Oven Toaster Grill (OTG)  (16239, Black)

6. Pigeon 14-Litre Oven Toaster Grill (OTG)  (19004365, Black)

7. USHA 29-Litre Oven Toaster Grill (OTG)  (OTGW 3629R, Wine & Matte Black)

8. USHA 25-Litre Oven Toaster Grill (OTG)  (OTGW25RC, Wine)

9. USHA 35-Litre Oven Toaster Grill (OTG)  (OTGW 3635RC, Wine & Matte Black)

10. Morphy Richards 30-Litre Oven Toaster Grill (OTG)  (30RCSS 510051, Silver/Gold)

By the end of this day, I wasn't just using the OTG to cook meals. Instead, I was wondering what else I can cook in this small yet powerful appliance. The best part about an OTG is that it is a multipurpose appliance. You can use it to roast, bake, or grill to get that char flavour at home. Sounds mouth-watering, right? However, it may not be the best choice to cook your daily daal, subzi, and chawal. But if you want to enjoy something unique once in a while, buying an OTG is totally worth it.