Seduce Your Tastebuds...: Tingmos / Ting Momos (Tibetan Steamed Buns)

This month we’re making a savoury Tibetan yeasted bread called Tingmos or Ting Momos in Aparna's We Knead To Bake Group. Tingmos are steamed bread that is usually used by Tibetans to soak up everything from soup to curries and even spicy pickles/ sauces.

I remember eating something similar when we lived in China.This dish made me so nostalgic which in turn made the preparation all the more interesting and exciting!!!

The Tingmo is a sort of a cousin to the Chinese steamed buns and is also popular in the Indian state of Sikkim whch has a geographical border with Tibet. Of course, you can also generally find it on the menu along with Momos, at most Tibetan eateries all over India.

This recipe is adapted from Rick Stein’s cookbook titled “India”,where he describes Tingmos as “spongy, slightly gelatinous little steamed Tibetan buns, pleasingly savoury with ginger, garlic, coriander and tomato. Rather irritatingly more-ish on their own, they’re addictive when dunked into a rich curry or the very yummy Tibetan red chilli sauce”.

This little bun is made and eaten in Tibet usually at breakfast with a rice porridge called dreythuk. They’re quite popular though with a very spicy red chilly dipping sauce called Sepen. They can also be served with soups or “curries”.

So when made and cooked properly, Tingmos should be soft, fluffy and slightly chewy. There are two types of Tingmos – one that’s plain and one with a little filling.This version uses the fillings.

Here’s a useful video that shows Tingmos being made. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8OxkgWIV9E&feature=player_embedded )

Tingmos/ Ting Momos

(Adapted from Rick Stein’s India - http://www.amazon.in/Rick-Steins-India-Stein/dp/1849905789 )

1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 tsp baking powder

1/3 to 1/2 cup warm water

For the filling:Mix together the following

1 1/2 tsp ginger paste or finely minced ginger

2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander

1/4 cup finely chopped spring onion greens and whites

To make the dough, combine the flour, baking powder, yeast and salt in a large bowl and make a well in the middle. Add enough of the warm water (and flour if necessary) and knead to make a soft and smooth but not sticky dough. Knead for 1 to 2 minutes in the bowl and then cover and set aside for about 45 minutes to an hour until it rises to almost double in size.

Turn the risen dough onto a lightly floured surface, and divide into two pieces. Roll each piece into a rough rectangle (this makes rolling up easier) about 5mm thick. Spread a portion of the filling over the rolled out dough .Roll up the dough fairly tightly, from the long side as you would a Swiss roll, then cut it into 6 or 7 slices about 3 to 4mm thick. Repeat with the remaining half of the dough and filling.

Lightly oil a steamer and place the rolls upright in the steamer (so the cut sides face up/ down) leaving about 2 to 3 inches space in between as they will expand on steaming. Loosely cover and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. In the meanwhile, get the water in your steamer boiling. Steam the Tingmos over simmering water, covered, for about 15 to 20 minutes until they’re puffy, firm and cooked. Serve warm.