PEAKLIFE

As 2019’s favorite food, discover the top momo trends that are all the rage this season.

Baozi, guuz, gyoza or mandu are just a few of the names for this popular street-food that is now firmly established as “idea for any season, any time” food. This popular food is better known to us as (drum roll), the momo! This deliciously versatile food has its historical roots in Tibet. It is believed that merchants of Newar brought the recipe from Lhasa into Nepal and the rest as they say, is history. Today, momos are the raging trend, especially in urban Indian metros.

So let’s first start with the basics – momos are nothing but dumplings. Or “steamed bun” as is known in Shanxi province of China. Originally they were made with white flour and filled with meat and steamed. But today, these dumplings have come a long way.

According to Chef Ravindranath Chatterjee, Deputy General Manager R & D Innovative Foods Limited, and makers of the popular frozen food brand Sumeru, “momos are healthy, versatile and lend themselves to any kind of filling and cooking. It’s quick, convenient and you can please any India palate with innovative momo recipes.”

Traditional momos have fillings such as yak meat, beef, pork, chicken, or just cabbage served with a spicy chilli garlic chutney. However, the contemporary variety of momos have evolved from their humble beginnings and gone uber chic. Momos in Delhi or Kolkata find some truly innovative momos being served. They are equally popular in Bangalore and Mumbai and can be found in every street corner. From the traditional steamed momos, today momos can be deep-fried, pan-fried or cooked in a tandoor. Vegetarian momos are no longer stuck with the boring “cabbage” filling. Momos are now being served with potato and cheese, chocolate momos are doing the rounds faster than you can say ‘momo’s and with coconut, oreo and chaat momos bringing up the menu, vegetarian momos are fast finding flavour and favour with the vegetarians as well as non-vegetarians.

Different stuffings and these different ways of serving up momos take the stress out of the eternal question, “what can I pack for school dabba tomorrow” for working moms. Momos pack the right amount of flavour and nutrients and are convenient and quick to make. Being light on the stomach and the wallet, they are the right party snack and work well as starters in case one is throwing a party for colleagues and friends at home. Having your girl gang land up at home for a Netflix binge session needn’t be only the usual ‘chips and coke’ routine. Now go the momo way and see your friends lap it up and ask for more.

Try and rustle up some of these cool momos for a weekend party, for your lunch at work or for unexpected guests.

STEAMED MOMOS:

1. Aloo dum and cheese served with lightly spicy mint chutney.2. Cheese, chicken and mushroom momos perhaps served with mayo or tomato salsa.3. Steamed chicken and cheese momos with a warm and flavourful noodle soup are food for the weary soul.4. Steamed chilli momos dipped in hot chili sauce or ketchup are another hot favourite especially in cold climates.5. Masala momos prepared in Chinese gravy is an innovative way of serving up the regular steamed momo.

PAN–FRIED OR STIR-FRIED MOMOS

1. Paneer and spinach momos served with light jhol – a vegetable soup that is popular in Nepal.

2. Stuffed and pan-fried momos with the meat of your choice served with pesto or sauce of your choice.

DEEP-FRIED MOMOS

1. Chicken, pork, beef or vegetable stuffing – can be served with thupka or a peanut and soya sauce or a fiery Schezwan sauce.
2. Minced mutton deep fried momos are also popular. Serve it with a dash of sesame-peanut sauce.

TANDOORI MOMOS

1. Chicken tandoori momos served with garlic sauce and washed down with fruit beer is a sure-fire hit.
2. Try seafood tandoori momos with prawn stuffing served with coriander-mint chutney.

The above is just a sample of what you can do with momos. Achari cheese momos, oreo momos, coconut momos, au gratin momo (yes, you read it right), malai tandoori momos, kurkure momos, vodka momos, butter chicken momos, kheema momos and the list is endless. Little wonder that momos are definitely the #topfoodof2019.

So when are you throwing your next momo party?

Disclaimer: The article is attributed to Chef Ravindranath Chatterjee, Deputy General Manager- Head R & D, Innovative Foods Limited, Makers of brand Sumeru.