Steam-Free Solution: Cooking Frozen Momos With Ease

Momos are delicious dumplings that can be steamed, boiled, or fried. While a steamer is the best way to cook momos, it is not the only way. If you don't have a steamer, you can boil them in soup or use the aluminium foil and ceramic plate method. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to cook frozen momos without a steamer, so you can enjoy these tasty treats anytime!

How to cook frozen momos without a steamer

Boil momos in soup

If you don't have a steamer, you can still cook frozen momos by boiling them in soup. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Prepare the Soup Base

Start by making your soup base. You can use any recipe you like, but a simple option is to fry onions with salt and meaty bones, then add water to create a clear broth. Alternatively, you can use a vegetable stock cube for a vegetarian option. Ensure you have enough liquid for the momos to move around in.

Boil the Momos

Place your frozen momos directly into the soup. There is no need to defrost them first. Boil the momos for around 10 minutes. They will float when they are ready.

Prepare Vegetables

While the momos are boiling, shred some vegetables like cabbage, spring onions, carrots, or spinach. You can use whatever vegetables you have in your fridge.

Finish and Serve

Once the momos are floating, add the shredded vegetables to the soup and boil for one more minute. Adjust the seasoning to taste, then serve.

Tips

Remember to watch out for the hot juices inside the momos when serving and eating. You can also add some chilli for dipping.

Use aluminium foil and a ceramic plate

If you're craving momos but don't have a steamer, don't fret! You can easily cook frozen momos with just aluminium foil and a ceramic plate. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving delicious, steamed momos without a steamer:

Firstly, ensure your momos are frozen and not thawed. Stuff your dough with the filling of your choice – whether it's chicken, mutton, vegetables, or something else entirely – and get your aluminium foil and ceramic plate ready.

Now, the fun part begins. Make three equally-sized, large balls out of the aluminium foil. Don't pack them too tightly, as they will reduce in size during cooking. Place these foil balls in a large cooking pot or a deep vessel with a wide mouth. Then, place a ceramic plate on top of the balls, ensuring it's relatively level.

Next, add some water to the pot and bring it to a boil. You'll want enough water for the momos to move around freely when they're added later. Once the water is boiling, lower the heat to a medium simmer. Rub a little sesame oil onto the ceramic plate to prevent sticking, and then carefully place your frozen momos on top of the plate. Cover the pot with a lid to trap in the steam.

Let the momos steam for 7-8 minutes or until they're cooked through. Be careful not to overcook them, as this can result in stiff and soggy dumplings. When they're done, use oven mitts or pot holders to carefully remove the plate from the pot, as it will be very hot. Finally, slide the cooked momos onto a serving platter and enjoy!

With this method, you can enjoy delicious, steamed momos without needing a steamer. So, go ahead and satisfy those momo cravings!

Place momos on an oiled surface

If you're cooking momos without a steamer, you'll need to create a makeshift steaming setup. Here's how to do it, focusing on placing the momos on an oiled surface:

First, grab some aluminium foil and a ceramic plate. You'll want to create three equally-sized, large balls out of the foil. Don't make them too tight, as they will reduce in size. Place these balls in a large cooking pot or a deep vessel with a wide mouth. Place a ceramic plate on top of the foil balls to create a fairly level surface.

Now, you'll want to add some water to the pot and bring it to a boil. Lower the heat to a medium simmer. Rub a light coat of sesame oil or any other type of oil on the ceramic plate. This will help prevent your momos from sticking to the surface.

Carefully place your frozen momos on the oiled surface of the ceramic plate. Make sure they are arranged in a single layer and have some space between them for even cooking. Cover the pot with a lid to trap the steam inside.

Allow the momos to steam for around 7 to 15 minutes, depending on the type of momos you are cooking. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook, as this can result in stiff and soggy dumplings. When they're ready, the momos will be steamy hot and filled with juicy goodness.

Always exercise caution when removing the plate from the pot, as it will be extremely hot. Use oven mitts or kitchen towels to protect your hands from the steam and heat. Carefully slide the cooked momos onto a serving platter and enjoy!

Steam for 7-15 minutes

When cooking frozen momos without a steamer, the steaming process is a simple and effective way to ensure they are cooked through. The key to successful steaming is to create a sealed environment to trap the steam and ensure even cooking. Here is a step-by-step guide to steaming frozen momos for 7-15 minutes:

Firstly, gather your equipment. You will need a large cooking pot or deep vessel, aluminium foil, and a ceramic plate. The pot should have a wide mouth to accommodate the plate comfortably. Ensure you have some sesame oil or another light cooking oil, as this will prevent your momos from sticking.

Next, prepare your momos for cooking. If they are frozen, there is no need to defrost them first. Simply prepare your dough and filling, and stuff the dough with the filling of your choice. You can experiment with various flavours, such as chicken, mutton, vegetables, aloo, or tandoori.

Once your momos are ready, it's time to set up your steaming apparatus. Make three large, but not tightly packed, balls of aluminium foil and place them in the bottom of your chosen pot or vessel. The balls should be relatively the same size and shape. Then, place a ceramic plate on top of the foil balls, ensuring it is fairly level.

Add water to the pot, being careful not to pour it over the plate, and bring it to a boil. You want enough water to create a good amount of steam, but not so much that it touches the plate. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to a medium simmer. Rub a light coating of sesame oil or another light cooking oil onto the plate to prevent sticking.

Now, carefully place your momos on the oiled plate. Cover the pot with a lid to trap the steam inside. Let the momos steam for 7-15 minutes. The exact steaming time will depend on the type of momos you are cooking. For example, veggie or vegan momos typically require 10-12 minutes, while chicken or beef momos may need a little longer, up to 15 minutes.

Finally, carefully remove the plate from the pot, taking care not to burn yourself as the plate will be very hot. Use a utensil or oven mitt to protect your hands. Slide the momos onto a serving platter and enjoy! Remember to watch out for the hot juices inside the momos, as they can be very hot and may burn your mouth if you're not careful.

Do not defrost

If you don't have a steamer, it's still possible to cook frozen momos without defrosting them. Here are some methods you can use:

Using a Soup

You can cook momos by boiling them in a soup. To do this, start by making your soup base. You can fry onion, salt, and meaty bones, then top it up with water to create a clear broth. Alternatively, you can use a vegetable stock cube or any other soup base of your choice. Ensure there is enough liquid for the momos to move around freely. Once your soup base is ready, add the frozen momos and boil them for around 10 minutes. They will float when they're ready. You can also add shredded vegetables like cabbage, spring onions, carrots, or spinach towards the end of the cooking process.

Using Aluminium Foil and a Ceramic Plate

This method involves using aluminium foil, a ceramic plate, and a large cooking pot or deep vessel. First, make three equally-sized large balls of aluminium foil, being careful not to make them too tight as they will reduce in size. Place these balls in your cooking pot or vessel, and lay a ceramic plate on top to ensure it's level. Add some water, bring it to a boil, and then lower the heat to a medium simmer. Rub a little sesame oil on the plate, then place your frozen momos on top. Cover the pot and let them steam for 7-8 minutes or until cooked through. Be careful not to overcook, as this can make your momos stiff and soggy. When ready, carefully remove the plate from the pot as it will be very hot, and slide the momos onto a serving platter.

General Tips for Cooking Frozen Momos

• It is recommended to cook frozen momos straight from the freezer without defrosting them.
• The cooking time may vary depending on the type of momos. For example, beef and chicken momos typically take 12 to 15 minutes to cook, while veggie and vegan momos may take 10 to 12 minutes.
• When using a steamer, lightly oil the steamer tray or use a steamer mesh to prevent sticking.
• If you're cooking more than one tray of momos at a time, increase the steaming time and/or rearrange the trays during cooking to ensure even cooking.
• Always be cautious of the hot juices inside the momos when eating.

Frequently asked questions