Momo – Paneer Momo (Nepali Food Recipe)

(Nepali Ricotta Cheese Dumplings)

INGREDIENTS

• Dough for wrappers:
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon oil
• Water as required
• Pinch of salt
• Filling:
• 1 cup ricotta cheese, drained and crushed
• 1 cup paneer cheese or cottage cheese, drained and crushed
• 1/2 spinach, slightly blanched in salted water and finely chopped
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup mushroom, finely chopped
• 1 cup ripe tomatoes, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely minced
• 3 mild green chilies, finely minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon timur (Szechwan pepper)
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, grated
• 1 tablespoon curry powder, seafood masala or MOMO masala
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• Salt and Pepper

DIRECTIONS

• For stuffing mixture, combine all filling ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
• Mix well, adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour to allow all ingredients to impart their unique flavors.
• This also improves the consistency of the filling.
• In a large bowl combine flour, oil, salt and water.
• Mix well, knead until the dough becomes homogeneous in texture, about 10 minutes.
• Cover and let stand for at least 15 min.
• Knead well again before making wrappers.
• Prepare 1-in. diameter dough balls.
• It is recommended to work with a dozen or so balls at a time to prevent from drying.
• Take a dough ball, roll between your palms to spherical shape.
• Dust working board with dry flour.
• On the board gently flatten the ball with your palm.
• Then roll out into 3-in diameter wrapper.
• Repeat with the remaining dough balls. Cover with bowl to prevent from drying.
• 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, while making pleats.
• Pinch and twist the pleats to ensure the absolute closure of the stuffed dumpling.
• Heat up a steamer, oil the steamer rack well.
• This is critical because it will prevent dumplings from sticking.
• Arrange uncooked MOMOs in the steamer with some space left between the dumplings.
• Close the lid, and allow steaming until the dumplings are cooked through, about 10 min.
• Take the dumplings off the steamer, and immediately serve.
• You may also slightly sauté cooked dumplings in butter before serving.
• To serve, arrange the cooked MOMOs on a plate dressed with MOMO achar of your choice.

Source: http://nepalicooking.tripod.com/momo.htm
Author: Tulsi Regmi