Snacking on Momos!

1. Snacking on Momos! Originating from different parts of Asia, momos came along slowly through China, Nepal, and Sikkim making their way through the rest of the country. The authenticity of the dish remains in the Tibetan range, where it's always cold and hot steamed momos save the day. The base of momos is made from whole wheat flour and is filled with finely chopped carrot, onion, cabbage, and garlic with seasonings. Slowly, options for non-vegetarian momos came in as well. Momos are known differently in different parts of the world, like wontons, dim sum, dumplings, and gyoza. In India, momos have become a go-to snacking dish for school and college-goers. It’s become the heart of the South Asians and a reason for them to meet and talk over a plate full of momos and the spicy chutney served with it. Traditionally, they are steamed but now, with people experimenting with the dish, have come up with fried, gravy, and cheese momos as well. There are moments when we aren't in the mood to cook anything at home but still want to eat something delicious or if you are a student who doesn't have time to go out and eat in between your exam schedule, ready-made momos come into action as a lifesaver. They are dumplings with vegetables or meat fillings and are refrigerated for later use. Just like how we have our other potato fries, veggies, and everything else, brands have started a separate line for momos as well. It comes in different flavors like chicken, meat, or vegetarian options like paneer and vegetables, etc. Refrigerated products last for a while, can be consumed before their expiry date and is a great pocket-friendly option. The option of sitting from the comfort of your home and ordering food, groceries, and everything else that you want has become people’s favorite choice. Now if you are craving momos, you are one click away for it to order them through an app on your phone. Ordering momos online has become widely popular because who doesn't love technology and food. Let’s say there are minced pieces of chicken added to the momo base along with onions, garlic, and the seasonings and are folded in the shape. Now the question here is, do you want chicken momos in a ready-to-make packet; hot, spicy, and steamed ones from an eatery joint home-made homemade? A happy thing, all the options are available at your convenience. The last one as well, you may ask why? Because momos are easy to make and you can add your own flavors to it. Moreover, there are a plethora of flavor options to choose from. Eatery outlets have introduced a whole new different variety where you can order gravy, fried, and steam momos with your choice of fillings. Moreover, there’s a momo dish with the filling of beetroot, corn and spinach, and mutton. Keeping the health factor in mind, there is now an option of wheat momos as well because whole wheat flour isn't the healthiest for frequent consumption. A guide to making momos at home -Kneed the all-purpose flour, make it soft. Cover it and keep it aside for 30 minutes. www.prasuma.com

2. -In the meantime, if you making vegetarian momos, cut carrots, cabbage, onions and garlic (or even your choice of vegetables) into extra small pieces and saute them in a pan. Add salt, a little pepper and the masalas you want to add. -Shape the dough for the momo stuffing, apply oil on the outer line of the shape, and do the filling bit. Fold it into half and close the space, make sure there isn’t any opening in between. -Grease the steamer pan with oil. You can also use a pressure cooker or idli cooker. Add an adequate amount of water below before steaming. Arrange the momos in the pan, leaving space between them. -Cover and steam for good 6-7 minutes until the outer dough becomes transparent. Make sure not to overcook it. To know for sure that it’s cooked, you can touch the momos and if it’s sticky then it still needs to cook. -Additional thing, if you want fried momos instead of steamed ones, you can fry them in an oil pan and serve with spicy momos chutney. Use up the recipe idea if you want to experiment making dim sums at home and enjoy the entire cooking process. And if not, there’s always an option of ordering a ready-to- eat packet of your choice of flavoured momos or go out at your favorite momo place nearby. www.prasuma.com