Momo Madness: Add Warmth to Office Meals with Himalayan Food
Posted by Kimberly B. on Tuesday, September 23rd, 2014 with Comments Off on Momo Madness: Add Warmth to Office Meals with Himalayan Food Comments
Thukpa is a warm, comforting dish eaten in parts of Nepal, Tibet, and India.
Image source: m-louis via wikimediacommons.org
When most people think of the Himalayas, the first thing that usually comes to mind is the magical mountain-range the area is best known for. The Himalayan mountains run through five countries — including India, Nepal, and Bhutan (as well as parts of China and Pakistan) — while its highest peak, Everest, is located on the border of Nepal and China. Hiking through these epic mountains is on the top of many people’s buckets lists, with good reason: this part of the world is filled to the brim with natural beauty, and incredible food to go alongside. But in lieu of traveling across the globe, we can still reap the benefits of delectable Himalayan cuisine from the comforts of our own workplace. A quick primer on Himalayan cuisine
While international cuisines from countries like India, Japan, and Thailand are quite popular in the West, Nepalese and Tibetan foods are less known. However, we’re going to change that today, because Himalayan dishes are some of the tastiest and healthiest comfort foods around! Himalayan cuisine generally refers to food eaten in Nepal and its surrounding area: nestled between India and Tibet, both Nepalese culture and cuisine are deeply influenced by its neighbors. Most significantly, Nepal is home to many exiled Tibetans, as well as Indians coming from northern provinces like Jammu and Kashmir.
This makes Nepal a veritable melting pot of cultures when it comes to food. Based on the type of ingredients easily grown in this mountainous region — including rice, wheat, barley, vegetables, and livestock — traditional Himalayan food draws inspiration from Indian staples and Tibetan meals. There is surely something for everyone among the myriad dishes in this hearty, and heartfelt, cuisine. Let’s take a look at ideas for your next Himalayan food delivery order for the office.
Momos are as delightful as they sound — no doubt, the office will gobble these up in no time!
Image source: Ritesh Man Tamrakar via wikimediacommons.org
Tibetan momos: the perfect dumpling
If there’s one dish that everyone in the office will love, it’s momos. Momos are a Tibetan food, traditionally made and eaten at home around the family kitchen. These bite-sized tasty treats come in a wide variety of styles, and work as both a stand-alone meal, or complementary side dish. Made from a soft flour shell, these Tibetan dumplings are stuffed with spices and anything else you might imagine. Fillings can include veggies, tofu, minced beef (or any other kind of meat), potatoes, cheese, greens, onions, and more. As you can see, it’s easy to please both the meat-eaters and vegetarians on staff with momos; just order a fair amount of meat-filled ones for the former, and veggie-based momos (like spinach and potatoes, or cheese and onion) for the latter.
Momos often come with an array of dipping sauces, as well as soup.
Image source: Kushal Goyal via wikimediacommons.org
Accompaniments: soups and thukpa
Hot soups, special dips, and soy sauces are nice sides that usually accompany a serving of momos. Like sushi, it’s okay to eat momos with your hands, and pop a whole one into your mouth; they’re meant to be eaten in one go. Ordering an array of momos for the office will give staff a reason to dive into a fun, lively meal together. This dish is sure to encourage energetic chatter amongst employees, if only about the delicious food that everyone’s eating!
For a welcome addition to the large assortment of momos, try thukpa. Another warm Tibetan dish — and some of the best comfort food you’ve ever had — thukpa is a hot soup made with wheat or rice noodles, along with cooked vegetables, garlic, broth, and chicken or other meat. Vegetarian options are usually also available. Hearty and flavorful, thukpa sates hunger with nurturing flavors — a great dish with which to treat the office on a Friday after a long week.
Dal bhat is one of Nepal’s staple dishes, for good reason.
Image source: Subhashish Panigrahi via wikimediacommons.org
Himalayan food for all
If you’re feeling unsure as to whether the reluctant eaters in the office will be hesitant to jump into Tibetan-inspired cuisine, order some Nepalese thali as well. Commonly referred to as dal bhat, many Nepalese people eat this staple dish at least once, if not twice, a day. Like Indian thali, dal bhat consists of a variety of dipping sauces, rice, and papad — a thin, crisp bread. You’re likely to find potatoes, chutney, pickled veggies, cauliflower and carrots, spinach, hot chili, and dal — a lentil soup. This is another highly social meal that can be eaten entirely with your hands, though cutlery is fine for those who prefer it.
Nurturing food for work
Ordering Nepalese and Tibetan-inspired dishes is a great way to re-fuel the office with hearty, warm comfort food. It’s easy to let our guards down and chat freely with fellow employees when the food we’re eating is conducive to community-based connection. Waiter.com is on hand to deliver Himalayan food straight to your office. What Nepalese and Tibetan food will you treat your staff to this week? We’d love to hear in the comments!
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