There is a fan following for dumplings and then there is a fan following for Momos! Soft, juicy and so flavourful, you must have the willpower of the strongest man on Earth if you could resist these bite-sized delights.
Whether it’s a hot summer afternoon or a chilly winter night, hot and steamed momos packed with flavourful fillings make for an ideal snack for any time of the day. The best part about momos is that you can easily make them at home and have fillings of your choice, even if it’s non-vegetarian.
Have you tried making chicken momos at home? If not, then this article is for you! Read on to learn 5 tips to make perfect chicken momos at home!
1. Let the dough rest for at least 30 minutes before you make chicken momos.
The foundation of any good chicken momo lies in the texture of the dough used to make it. To achieve the perfect balance of softness and elasticity requires attention to smaller details. While kneading a dough, use a mixture of all-purpose flour and water . Knead the dough well until it is smooth and pliable. Once done, allow the dough to rest for at least 30 minutes so that the gluten relaxes. This will ensure that the momo wrappers are tender and at the same time, ready to hold the chicken filling.
2. Season the chicken filling generously.
The key to achieving flavourful momos is by seasoning the filling. Add all your favourite aromatics to your ground chicken filling like minced garlic, finely chopped onion, green chillies, salt, black pepper, etc. to make the filling more flavourful. You can even increase the umami levels of the chicken filling by adding a dash of soy sauce. Make sure to marinate the chicken mixture for at least an hour so that the flavours blend in together.
3. Roll the dough thinly and evenly.
Even though wrapping a momo with a generous amount of filling can seem daunting, fear not as practice makes everything perfect. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough thinly and evenly to ensure the momos cook uniformly. Take a spoonful of chicken filling onto the centre of each wrapper, then fold and pleat the edges to create a crescent-like shape. Once done, make sure to seal the edges tightly to prevent any filling from falling out while steaming.
4. Steam the momos over boiling water for at least 10-12 minutes.
Steaming is what makes the raw momo dough and the flavourful chicken filling tender. Use a steamer lined with parchment paper to prevent it from sticking. Arrange the momos in a single layer and make sure to keep ample space between each of them to allow even steaming. Steam over boiling water for at least 10-12 minutes or until the dough turns translucent. Also, as hard as it sounds, make sure to resist the urge to peek in the middle of the process for “great momos come to those who wait.”
5. Enhance the flavour of your momos by pairing it with a dipping sauce.
Prepare a tantalising dipping sauce using a combination of soy sauce, vinegar, chilli sauce and a hint of sugar. Adjust the ratios to suit your taste and preference. This will enhance the taste of your momos and the eating experience altogether!
What is your favourite momo filling? Let us know in the comments below!
