For a kindergartner, Raffles has quite sophisticated taste, not only in food but in women. And there are many, many lovely ladies in my Raffish wee man’s crayon filled little black book. But when I think about his list of lovelies I’m starting to see a pattern forming… all his favourite ladies are connected to him not only by the heart, but also by the stomach.
There’s one at the chocolate shop, one in the sushi shop and another at the café and he’s always chatting up the girls at the deli to score extra slices of sopressa. But one of these lovely ladies has always been held loftily above all others, in all probability due to her penchant for spoiling him with chocolate frogs. Regardless of the why, at the ripe old age of four Raffles became betrothed to her. And when I say betrothed, I mean that he was so infatuated with her he stole my wedding ring and gave it to her because “I love her mama, and when you love someone you give them a diamond ring”.
Fair point baby! Just. Not. Mine.
The Fiancée having a good 23 years on her affianced was wise enough to return my ring. But upon consideration, Raffles could do worse. Not only is The Fiancée smart, gorgeous and kind, but the Kathmandu native makes the best Chicken Momo’s in Sydney.
And we all know the way to a mother-in-law’s heart is through her stomach. I mean boy’s heart! Honest.
It’s certainly the way to Raffles’ cardiovascular organ, which I think is actually located somewhere in his gut. So when The Fiancée asked us over for lunch he practically broke out in a fever. Mostly because the invitation came with a promise of a lesson in making Momo, one of his all time favourite things.
After a half an hour of swooning and a cup of the best chai EVER, it’s time for Raffles to hit the kitchen with his amour. The Fiancée patiently talks Raffles through each step of the process from making the filling to folding it into little pastry cases.
Soon Raffles is making dumplings like a seasoned pro. And when I say “seasoned pro” I actually mean a drunk who has had both hands amputated. But he does his very best, bless his tiny little cotton socks, constructing abstract variations on the theme.
The result may not be as pretty as his teacher’s perfect little parcels but the proof is in the eating!
After steaming for around twenty minutes they are ready to be served with a special Momo Achar (a piquant tomato, coriander and sesame dipping sauce) and they are good. So good, in fact, that while we are busy chatting, Raffles manages to consume 22 of them – without slipping into a food coma.
Oddly, my wee pelican is that he’s so petite that given the chance most Victoria’s Secret models would torture him for his diet tips. The kid is skinny. But why and how is unfathomable to anyone watching his human compactus impersonation. The kid could out eat the average sumo wrestler and still claim to be hungry.
As he quite predictably does now. Luckily, The Fiancée has a spare chocolate frog for just such an occasion.
THE RECIPE
Chicken Momo
Ingredients:
1/2 kilo of minced chicken
1 large red onion, very finely chopped
½ cup of chopped spring onions
Handful of chopped coriander (optional)
2 tbsp of minced garlic finely chopped
1 tbsp minced ginger
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon garam masala
1 tablespoon of olive oil
salt and white pepper to taste
Gow Gee pastry (you can buy these at Asian grocers and most good supermarkets)
Method:
- In a bowl add the mince, chopped onion, shallots, coriander, garlic, ginger, cumin, garam masala and seasoning.
- Add oil as required and mix thoroughly.
- Cover mix with wrap and leave for around 2 to 3 hours to allow all ingredients to impart their flavours. This also improves the consistency of the flavour.
- Hold Gow Gee wrapper in one hand and place one to teaspoons of the chicken mixture in the centre.
- With the other hand bring all edges together to the centre, making pleats.
- Pinch and twist the pleats to ensure the dumpling is completely sealed.
- Place in a steamer for about 20 minutes.
- Serve with Momo Achar dipping sauce. (Recipe below).
Momo Achar (tomato and sesame dipping sauce)
Ingredients;
2 large ripe tomatoes
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1 teaspoon of mustard seeds
½ cup coriander chopped
4-5 dried red chillis.
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1-2 tablespoons lemon juice to taste
1 teaspoon of olive oil
Salt to taste
Method:
- Roast tomatoes in oven for about 30 minutes, or until charred and remove skin.
- In a frypan, add sesame and mustard seeds and cook until browned.
- Grind the toasted seeds in a mortar and pestle.
- Combine roasted tomatoes, ground sesame and mustard seeds, coriander, chilli, garlic, lemon oil and salt and process to form smooth mixture. Add a touch of water if the mixture is too thick.
- Serve with steamed momos.
NewLifeOnTheRoad (@NewLifeOnRoad)
May 10, 2013 at 4:51 pm (8 years ago)Gosh it looks so yummy, can they be made with chicken mince? (We dont eat red meat)
Regards your wedding ring…my older son (who is now almost 19) did the same thing when in Primary School. He gave my late Grandma’s wedding ring to his primary school girlfriend. Luckily for me the girls mother returned the ring to us 🙂
BOYEATSWORLD
May 10, 2013 at 4:52 pm (8 years ago)These ones are made from chicken mince. And they are really good! I think we need to hide the jewellery 😉
Talia
May 11, 2013 at 10:53 pm (8 years ago)Oh my gosh, that engagement story is SO cute!!
We had vegetarian ones of these at the Caloundra markets at the beginning of the year, and they were SO yummy. Lior loved, and he loves dumplings, so we will definitely be making these when we get home!!
BOYEATSWORLD
May 16, 2013 at 2:00 pm (8 years ago)Yay. Hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
Cooker and a Looker
May 14, 2013 at 5:45 am (8 years ago)Another great recipe that I can’t wait to try. I love momos too, but I doubt I could match Raffles effort!
BOYEATSWORLD
May 16, 2013 at 2:00 pm (8 years ago)I doubt anyone could out eat that little Pelican! LOL
zoe
May 14, 2013 at 6:38 am (8 years ago)My s.o. was Tibetan. My post for the mon hop is about him. He used to make the best (well really good…not as pretty as yours) momos. Im going to try this recipe. thanks.
BOYEATSWORLD
May 16, 2013 at 1:59 pm (8 years ago)I read your post with a tear in my eye. I hope the recipe brings back some fond memories. x
modmomelleroy
May 14, 2013 at 10:36 am (8 years ago)Delicious and the perfect thing to make with kids. Thanks for this recipe. I’m going to try it with my boys.
BOYEATSWORLD
May 16, 2013 at 1:58 pm (8 years ago)Yay! You wont regret it. They rock! 🙂
lindanortje
May 15, 2013 at 1:56 am (8 years ago)Looks so delicious [and they are pretty!} – a must try ! Thank you for sharing at our All My Bloggy Friends Party !
Linda
With A Blast
BOYEATSWORLD
May 16, 2013 at 1:58 pm (8 years ago)Thanks Linda. 🙂
Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above
May 15, 2013 at 10:23 am (8 years ago)These look delicious.
Debi and Charly
BOYEATSWORLD
May 16, 2013 at 1:58 pm (8 years ago)Thanks so much! They really are fab! And the kids love them
Anyonita
May 16, 2013 at 8:46 am (8 years ago)Awww 🙂 Interesting recipe! As one of the co-hosts from the My Favorite Posts Weekend SHOW OFF Party! I wanted to personally thank you for linking up with us & to invite you to add me to your G+ circles or follow me on Twitter or Facebook as I’ve done the same with you. Also, I run a link party on my food blog, Anyonita Nibbles where you can link up recipes or food related posts. This week’s party is here: http://www.anyonitanibbles.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/tasty-tuesdays-10.html
Jessica
May 16, 2013 at 12:20 pm (8 years ago)I’m all about Asian cuisine and getting kids involved! Yummy!! Thanks so much for sharing this with us @ The SHOW OFF Weekend Blog Party 🙂
Jessica
The Wondering Brain
BOYEATSWORLD
May 16, 2013 at 1:57 pm (8 years ago)A pleasure Jessica, thanks for hosting! 🙂
Kate
May 16, 2013 at 1:07 pm (8 years ago)Oh, these made my mouth water. I’m going to have to try these! What can I use if I don’t have and industrial steamer?
BOYEATSWORLD
May 16, 2013 at 1:57 pm (8 years ago)We’ve made them again since at home and i just used my two dollar bamboo steamer over a wok! 🙂
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
May 16, 2013 at 5:43 pm (8 years ago)Bahahaaa!! My favourite line on your blog so far was “For a kindergartner, Raffles has quite sophisticated taste, not only in food but in women.” What a cherubic charmer Raffles is!
Kathy - yinyangmother.com
May 16, 2013 at 7:26 pm (8 years ago)22 is a very impressive tally for one little boy! My kids love my yum cha, and when one of my daughter’s friends comes over she is a yum cha hog – her mother get’s quite embarassed. I reckon kids have hollow legs for the things they love and you must admit that Raffles is very spoilt in the culinary department. Great food like you cook will probably never make them fat, unlike the junk food variety.
yinyangmother
May 16, 2013 at 7:29 pm (8 years ago)22 is a pretty impressive tally for little Raffles. He must have hollow legs like most kids do for the things they love. My kids love my yum cha, and when one of my daughter’s friends come over she is an absolute yum cha hog – her mother get’s quite embarassed. Raffles is very spoiled in the culinary department and I’m sure will never be fat with your great food, unlike the junk food variety.
BOYEATSWORLD
May 16, 2013 at 8:26 pm (8 years ago)Thanks Lovely, he does eat extremely healthily. And he has so much energy because of it that he has no trouble burning off all those dumplings! 🙂
stephanie jefferson (@stephsjoy)
May 17, 2013 at 9:16 am (8 years ago)I’ve never had a momo before, going to bookmark this and try to make them.
iSophie
May 17, 2013 at 7:10 pm (8 years ago)I have never tried these! But using chicken mince is a diff positive for me. I wonder if my 4 fussy eaters would like it? Worth a try I think!
Jess @HungryHarps
May 21, 2013 at 1:58 am (8 years ago)Great post! These look absolutely delicious. 🙂 Thank you for sharing at Tasty Tuesdays – hope to see you again this week!
Anyonita
May 21, 2013 at 6:38 am (8 years ago)Thank you so much for linking up with me this week at Tasty Tuesdays! I’ve pinned this & shared it with my followers!
Natalie@foodforlitlesouls
June 3, 2013 at 8:39 pm (8 years ago)What a lovely story – my 5 yr old son also works the street. Scores a doughnut from the bread shop, swoons at the girl in the deli to get his Devon and scams a sausage sample from the butcher. He has it covered. Lovely post. Thanks for sharing
BOYEATSWORLD
June 3, 2013 at 9:02 pm (8 years ago)You have to love their style 🙂
What To Prepare For Wedding
October 1, 2013 at 8:12 am (8 years ago)I appreciate, lead to I discovered exactly what I was looking for.
You’ve ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you
man. Have a nice day. Bye
House in Tillford
June 13, 2014 at 5:17 pm (7 years ago)Haha what a cute story , if you love someone you give them diamonds! classic. And those momos look delicious!
Lauren @ Create Bake Make
June 16, 2014 at 9:05 pm (7 years ago)What a lovely story, you’ve certainly got a clever little man there!
Christine @adventurebaby
February 9, 2016 at 10:55 am (6 years ago)Oh LOL at him stealing your ring!!!! Bless him he’s so cute.
Shailesh Pokharel
April 27, 2017 at 10:50 pm (4 years ago)Delicious fast food in Nepal.during the Everest base camp trek we had everyday momo. Even in Kathmandu each and every street of the city you can find the MOMO .