Schezwan Momos: A Fiery Twist on a Classic Dumpling

What is Schezwan momos?
A popular and well known variant of the traditional Chinese-style dumplings or momos are the Schezwan Momos. These are spicy and tasteful in taste and people who fancy bold and fiery tastes love them. Schezwan Momos are covered with spicy sauce prepared through Schezwan sauce unlike regular momos which are normally steamed and delicate in taste and to be precise, We are talking about hot and tangy taste. The soft, juicy dumplings are mixed with the hot, sour sauce thus giving a neat blend of flavours and satisfying the taste buds. It is a popular street fare in Nepal, India, and even sections of China and is well and favorably known to people having fondness to spicy food.

How Schezwan Momos Are Made?
To make Schezwan Momos, preparation of the filling is done first. It is normally filled using either minced chicken, pork, or vegetables and flavored using garlic, ginger, and some soy sauce among other spices. This filling is encapsulated in the thin sheets of dough, the same way the tradition momos are done, and then they are steamed or fried. The magic happens after cooking as the momos are dipped in the hot Schezwan sauce. Basic ingredients used in making the sauce include red chili, garlic, vinegar and soy sauce as well as a teaspoon of sugar. These ingredients are fried together till they form a thick spicy and tangy gravy that is served exorbitantly over the steaming momos. There are times when the dish is stir-fried together with vegetables and additional sauce in order to make it more flavorful and spicy.

What Does It Taste Like?
Momos of Schezwan taste are well-established and are spicy, tangy and bold. The dumplings are itself tender and juicy, and when dipped in the spicy Schezwan sauce; it is spicy and explosive in taste. The sauce combines the optimal ratio of the red chilies heat, tang of the vinegar, and the taste of soy sauce. Each bite contains the splash of spicy taste, which is complemented by the soft filling of the interior. Occasionally, it is sprinkled with sliced spring onions or sesame seeds which provide additional smell and crispiness. The hot sauce alternatively renders it as a perfect snack to individuals who prefer their food to be spicy and would prefer some heat in their dinner.

How is its Serving?
Schezwan Momos are normally served hot, right out of the pan or the wok. They are in most cases supplemented with an additional Schezwan sauce or Chili sauce on the side to take either when a person desires more spice. Others prefer to add chopped green onions or coriander on the top as a freshness measure. Enjoying Schezwan Momos may be in the form of a snack, an appetizer, and even a main course. It is ideal to serve with friends or with family particularly when they all love eating spicy food. It is a food which is easy to cook at the street stands or at the restaurants or even at home in case you love the spicy taste.

Variations of Schezwan Momos
Schezwan Momos can be made interesting in quite a few ways. Some even fill the momos with the sauce and fry them making the momos have a crispy exterior and a spiced interior. Others may stir-fry the steamed momos in the same Schezwan sauce and thus it becomes more of spicy stir-fried dish. The vegetarian version is also quite common and prepared using vegetables such as cabbage, mushrooms, paneer and dipped into similar spicy sauce. The dish may be colorful and more delicious after adding additional ingredients such as bell peppers, onion, or carrots. Howsoever it is cooked, the most important aspect about it is the spicy Schezwan sauce that makes it much special.