Momos are a tempting delicacy from Tibet and Nepal origin. They are usually steamed or fried dumplings with fillings of either vegetables or minced meat, but over the years the fillings have become more elaborate. It is best served piping hot and with a spicy tomato sauce. The specialty of momos lie in its stuffing that makes it delicious. Making momos at home is an easy process, but it requires lots of efforts and time depending on your working speed and the appliances you have got.
Simple Steps to Make Vegetable Momos at Home
Momos are a favorite evening snack and can be made at home with spicy stuffing dipped in schezwan sauce. The ingredients required to make veg momos at home are very easily available in the market and hence can be made without much hassles. Momos can either be steamed or cooked in either microwave or pressure cooker without steam.
Ingredients Required
The outer cover of momos is usually prepared with flour. To serve 3-4 people, you will require the below ingredients in the mentioned proportions:
- 1 cup of maida or flour
- ¼ tsp. of salt for taste and ½ tsp. oil
- 3-4 tbsp. water for kneading
The most important part of veg momos is the vegetable stuffing filled inside the momos. Take 1.5-1.75 cup of finely chopped vegetables- ½ cup chopped cabbage, ½ cup chopped carrots, 1/3 cup chopped French beans and ¼ cup chopped capsicum. Take 2 small sized spring onions and finely chop them. Now, chop 3-4 garlic and add 1 tsp. soya sauce as and when required. You can also add ½ tsp. of black pepper and 1 tbsp. oil.
Preparing the outer cover for momos
Once you have got all the ingredients ready, you can start with the process of preparing the stuffing and shaping the momos. To prepare the outer cover for momos, take the mentioned quantity of flour and mix oil and salt to it in a bowl. Add water and knead the mixture to make it firm dough. Cover this dough and keep it away for 30 minutes.
Preparing the stuffing
Take all the finely chopped vegetables in a thick bottomed pan and heat it with oil. Add garlic to it and sauté it for about 2-3 seconds. Now add the finely chopped onions and sauté it for 10-15 seconds. Slowly increase the flame and stir the veggies. Stir for about 2-3 minutes and then switch off the flame. Add 1-2 tbsp. of spring onions and mix them well with salt, pepper and soy sauce.
Shaping the Momos
One of the toughest parts of making momos is shaping them. First divide the prepared dough in 2 parts. Then make a log of about 6-7 inches and cut it into equal slices. Make a ball from each slice and cover them with a moist napkin. Take each of the balls on a dusted board and roll them in a thin circle. Make sure to keep the center thick and edges thin. Place 1-2 tbsp. of the stuffing at the center of the balls and start pleating from one side of the edge. Next start folding them and join the pleats in the center. Prepare all momos in this way and cover them with a moist napkin until they are ready to be steamed.
Steaming the Momos
Heat water in a pressure cooker or electric cooker until the water starts boiling. Place the momos in a pan without touching each other inside the cooker and steam them for 5-6 minutes. Once the momos get a transparent look, you can garnish the momos with spring onion greens. Serve the momos with hot schezwan sauce.