Momo “म:म:” being one of the most popular cuisines for Nepalese, was actually introduced from ancient Tibet. But Nepal having its Geolocation between 2 nations China and India, has mixture in all of its cuisines. Thereby same with Momo, it has the texture and stuffings of Tibetan dumplings with a spicy sauce of Indian cuisines. Chicken, Veg, and Buff Momos are the most common kinds of Momo in the country but other kinds are available too.
@img:Prajjwal_Budhathoki
After finishing college, I along with my friends decided not to visit one of the most popular momo shop in the locality which was about 500m far from our college, nearby Zoo. But as it was his treat for the first salary, he wanted to go somewhere new. The restaurant we went to was NPP Burger House, Kumaripati. We had a lot of varieties of momos and chowmeins (a kind of noodle with a blend of Chinese and Indian culture). Though in normal momo shops the costs range from Rs.100-120 or 0.82-0.98 USD for Buff momo, though it depends from shop to shop as well as on-brand.
Why anyone should try making Momo?
=> Not only eating Momos, but the process of making them is also a unique experience. It is a wonderful family activity perfect for gatherings. Everyone can be involved in the process of wrapping the mix and it always tastes better when the whole family plays a part. Momo is also a great food to experiment with. You can experiment with the fillings and create your own type of Momo. Furthermore, the dipping sauce can be a unique creation of your own. In our family, we generally make it in our home in the interval of a few weeks' time. And that is when we get to stay close and share our life stories with one another.
Momo recipes
=> Momos can be made in various ways but the basic ingredients and process are as follows:
Choice of the filling (minced meat/veggies)
Onions
Peppers
Ginger
Oil
Coriander
Flour for the dough
Tomato
Garlic
Masala mix
Momo Making Steps
=> Add some water, oil, and salt and knead the flour until you get a soft but not sticky dough.
=> Wrap the dough in plastic and set it.
=> Add the ingredients (apart from the dough) in the filling of your choice and mix it properly. Add a tiny bit of water to ensure the filling is soft and moist. It is best if the filling is prepared an hour or so earlier to let the flavors set in.
=> Ball up tiny pieces of the dough and roll it out
=> Place the filling inside it and wrap it (YouTube wrapping techniques)
=> Steam the dumplings until it is ready
=> You can make the dipping as per your taste.
So when in Nepal, make sure you enjoy this mouthwatering cuisine which comes in different shapes, sizes, and colors. You will not only find it yummy and be wanting more but also experience the richness of the community in this dish. A unique identity and delicious taste, Momo will have that effect on you where you can’t help but drool on the thought of having it again.