A video said to have been shared by former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat has put a traditional alternative in the spotlight: momos made with mandua, also known as ragi or finger millet. Momos are one of India’s favourite street foods, but they are usually made with refined flour, which many health-conscious eaters try to avoid. A staple of the Uttarakhand hills, mandua is rich in fibre and minerals, and its earthy taste works well in a dumpling. Here is a simple five-step way to make mandua momos at home.
Heat a little oil in a pan, add ginger, then the chopped vegetables, and stir-fry on high heat for two to three minutes so they stay crunchy. Season with soy sauce, pepper and salt, and let the mixture cool. Roll small balls of dough into thin circles, about two to three inches wide, keeping the edges slightly thinner than the centre. Place a spoonful of filling in the middle, then pleat and seal the edges firmly, or simply fold into half-moons if pleating feels tricky.