Recipe 42/50 : Nepal : Nepali Momos

Momos are an Asian dumpling that are a delicacy in Nepal and Tibet.  It is similar to the Mongolian buuz or the Chinese jiaozi. 

Ingredients 

Dough

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon oil

water, as required

1 pinch salt  

Filling

2 lbs ground chicken

1 cup red onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup green onion, finely chopped

1 cup ripe tomato, finely chopped

3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

1 tablespoon curry powder

3 fresh red chilies, minced

3 tablespoons cooking oil

salt to taste

pepper to taste

Method

Dough

1. In a large bowl combine flour, oil, salt and water.

2. Mix well, knead until the dough becomes homogeneous in texture, about 8-10 minute.

3. Cover and let stand for at least 30 minute.

4. Knead well again before making wrappers.

Filling

1. In a large bowl combine all filling ingredients.

2. Mix well, adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper.

3. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour to allow all ingredients to impart their unique flavors.

4. This also improves the consistency of the filling.

Assembly

1. Give the dough a final knead.Prepare 1 inch dough balls.

2. Take a ball, roll between your palms to spherical shape.

3. Dust working board with dry flour.

4. On the board gently flatten the ball with your palm to about 2-in circle.

5. Make a few semi-flattened circles, cover with a bowl.

6. Use a rolling pin to roll out each flattened circle into a wrapper.

7. It is essential that the middle portion of the wrapper be slightly thicker than the edges to ensure the structural integrity of dumplings during packing and steaming.

8. Hold the edges of the semi-flattened dough with one hand and with the other hand begin rolling the edges of the dough out, swirling a bit at a time.

9. Continue until the wrapper attains 3-in diameter circular shape.

10. Repeat with the remaining semi-flattened dough circles.

11. Cover with bowl to prevent from drying.

12. For packing hold wrapper on one palm, put one tablespoon of filling mixture and with the other hand bring all edges together to the center, making the pleats.

13. Pinch and twist the pleats to ensure the absolute closure of the stuffed dumpling.

14. This holds the key to good tasting, juicy dumplings.

15. Heat up a steamer, oil the steamer rack well.

16. This is critical because it will prevent dumplings from sticking.

17. Arrange uncooked dumplings in the steamer.

18. Close the lid, and allow steaming until the dumplings are cooked through, about 10 minutes.

19. Take dumplings off the steamer and serve immediately.

20. Alternatively, you can place uncooked dumplings directly in slightly salted boiling water and cook until done, approximately 10 minutes. Be careful not to over boil the dumplings.

21. You may also slightly saute cooked dumplings in butter before serving.

22. To serve, arrange the cooked dumplings (MOMO's) on serving plate with hot tomato achar.