Ganesha’s Divine Treat: Make Your Own Modak for the Festival

Modak is a traditional Indian sweet dumpling, often enjoyed during festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi. It’s made with a delicious filling of coconut, jaggery, and spices, wrapped in a soft rice flour or wheat flour dough.

Ingredients:

For the Filling:

• 1 cup grated fresh coconut
• 3/4 cup jaggery, grated or chopped (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
• 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)
• 2 tablespoons chopped nuts (cashews, almonds, or pistachios) (optional)
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds (optional)

For the Dough:

• 1 cup rice flour (or 1 cup all-purpose flour for a different texture)
• 1/2 cup water (or as needed)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ghee (for greasing)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Filling:
   1. Heat 1 tablespoon of ghee in a pan over medium heat.
   2. Add the grated coconut and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
   3. Add the jaggery and cook until it melts and blends with the coconut, stirring constantly. This will take about 5-7 minutes.
   4. Add cardamom powder and mix well. If using, add chopped nuts and poppy seeds. Cook for another 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool.
2. Prepare the Dough:
   1. In a pan, bring 1/2 cup water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt and 1 tablespoon of ghee.
   2. Gradually add the rice flour, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Mix until the dough comes together and becomes smooth.
   3. Remove from heat and let the dough cool slightly. Knead it well until smooth and pliable. If the dough is too dry, add a little water; if too sticky, add a bit more flour.

1. Shape the Modaks:
   1. Grease your hands with ghee. Take a small portion of dough and flatten it into a small disc.
   2. Place a spoonful of the coconut filling in the center of the disc.
   3. Gently bring the edges of the dough together, pinching them to form a peak at the top, creating a conical shape. You can also use a modak mold if you have one to shape them neatly.
   4. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
2. Steam the Modaks:
   1. Grease a steamer or a steaming tray.
   2. Arrange the shaped modaks in the steamer, making sure they’re not touching each other.
   3. Steam for about 10-15 minutes, or until the dough is cooked and firm. You can test by inserting a toothpick; it should come out clean.
3. Serve:
   • Let the modaks cool slightly before serving. They can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.

Tips:

• For a richer taste, you can add a bit of grated khoya (milk solids) to the filling.
• If you prefer, you can also use pre-grated coconut and jaggery to save time.

Enjoy making and eating these delicious Modaks!