Momo-Mia!

 In Praise of tenderness of life(and food) 

"You knead the dough, I will make the momo," my sister and I started with a clear-cut approach. I just had one job, to make that shape, that unique shape with so many twists and turns like the layers of life. I like using this phrase, layers of life, a lot. So, a momo has these layers and turns. The first one looked horrible. The second one a little less horrible. Eventually, I got the rhythm and that distinct sense of confidence that it's easy, it just looks complicated. And the first perfect momo that I made, I kept looking at it as if it was my child. I name it momo-mia!

Like a proud mother, I put my child in the next phase of its life - the steaming process. Now that it had the structure and that experience of layers and turns, the momo mia had to put these ideals to test. The steam of life/heat had to prepare it for the test of taste. I kept checking every 15 minutes to see if it has reached that softness. I was cautioned every time by my mother about how steam can also cause burns. I told her, yes that's latent heat of something I read in class 9th. Steam does cause burns, dear readers. It is that invisible enemy I thought I knew but I never really knew. I placed the momo mia, the first well-formed momo that I made, in the left corner because like my special child I wanted to see how it will turn out in the test of taste. It was a unique feeling similar to the anticipation parents have when they are waiting outside exam centres. The test centres are like steamers in a number of ways. But that's not the point, let's focus on this special child, momo mia.

In almost 30 minutes perhaps, the first batch was ready. Steaming hot! My sister meanwhile had taken her infinite naps and I was simply just checking on momo mia in the left-most corner of the first steamer. I had to make sure momo mia was doing well! Then, it was the moment of truth. I carefully take out momo mia in the plate. It looked so tender and fragile. I checked all its corners to see if it was alright. Then I plate it in the most bland manner because I was just overjoyed by the fact that it looked perfect. I made a perfect momo! Momo mia turned out to be a normal momo and not some failed lab experiment.

final snapshot :)

After two three great photographs, I regret to inform you all I ate our dearest momo-mia. It was delicious.

Asmita

March 2026