Jhol Momo: Why Is It My Winter Staple?
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Are you also one of those, who after a lot of thought, end up ordering momos when craving for something utterly delicious? That is how deeply momos have made its place in the heart and platters of people across the world. A gift from Nepal, momos are juicy dumplings filled with succulent meat or veggies, steamed to perfection. And while we may drool over this version all the time, have you tried its soupy version- jhol momos?

Momo Jhol Achar or Jhol momos are a specialty of Kathmandu that comes swimming in a well-spiced soup. The soup is usually made with a bunch of veggies, spices and herbs such as tomatoes, onions, chili, sesame seeds, garlic, and other spices, which are all cooked together. Sounds delicious, doesn’t it? So, while steamed momos are delicious as it is, this comforting meal of jhol momos is definitely a wholesome meal, making it my ultimate favoruite during the winter season.  

As the nip in the air starts to make its presence felt and the evening get a tad bit colder, all I need is a bowl of such soup and wrap myself around a quilt and relax. Jhol momos make it even better. I mean why would you eat just momos when you can enjoy it in a wholesome way with the goodness of soup? The warm soup and the fulfilling momos are an ultimate combination for a winter meal. Now, of course, you’ll be wondering what’s with the name- jhol? It isn’t a colloquial term for mess. In Nepal, jhol means liquid, and achaar means sauce, so it is in fact the components of the dish that has given the dish its name. The tangy broth that makes for the soup with meaty momos compliments the name perfectly. It is not only delicious but can also help you fight a cold or cough with its spices and herbs. Perhaps this is why jhol momos has found love not just in the lanes of Kathmandu but across Northern India and also in places like America where restaurants feature it in the exotic section of the menu.

And if you are someone who would rather make it at home then order-in, we’ve got a perfect recipe to try.  

Ingredients

  • Minced chicken 1/2 cup  
  • All-purpose flour 1 tbsp  
  • Garlic 1 tbsp  
  • Ginger 1 tsp 
  • Salt 1 tbsp  
  • Oil 1/2 cup  
  • Tomato Puree 1 tsp  
  • Red chilli powder 1 tsp  
  • Sesame seeds
  • Sugar ½ tsp
  • Lemon 1 tbsp
  • Turmeric 1 tsp  
  • Pepper

Method:

1. To make the momos, take minced meat and season it with masalas and garlic.

2. Prepare a dough by combining all-purpose flour, salt and oil for the momos.

3. Roll out this dough, stuff the filling and steam the momos.

4. Now make the jhol, by first fry roasting sesame seeds. Add in tomato pure and garlic, cook well.

5. Then add red chilli, salt, pepper, turmeric and ginger. Then once it starts to thicken add water and sugar, and let is boil. Turn off the flame and add lemon juice to it.

6. Pour this jhol in a bowl and add in the momos. Serve hot.