Steamed Modak

A must during Ganesh utsav and made in almost all household during the 10 days festival. It’s known by different names in various parts of India. Maharashtrians call it “ukdiche Modak”, tamilians say “kozhukkattai”, we malaysalis simply say ” kozhukkattai” and so on. Some people prefer to fry it rather than steam it. But I love the steamed one more because it’s healthier and it’s much softer and melt in the mouth. Make small kutti kutti ones (so that you can eat lots) during this Ganesh chaturthi festival and make Lord Ganesha as well as your family happy 🙂

Remember to use a good quality and finely powdered raw rice flour. The jaggery in the recipe can be replaced with normal sugar or cane sugar. Some people add some cooked and crushed gram dal into the coconut-jaggery filling. I have kept it simple with fresh coconut and jaggery. If you get jaggery powder you can use that too in the recipe. Additional dry fruits can be added to the filling. Maybe you can add a pinch of nutmeg or toasted cumin seeds powder too. The choice is absolutely yours.

Ingredients:

• Raw rice flour 1 cup
• Salt a pinch
• Boiling water as required
• Oil 2-3 tsp
• Coconut scraped 1 cup
• Jaggery a big lump
• Cardamom powder a pinch

Method:

To make the covering:

• Add a pinch of salt to the flour in a big bowl and pour boiling water into it till the entire flour gets moist. Keep the bowl covered for 5-10 minutes. You will have to use around 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups of water depending on the absorbing capacity of your rice flour.
• Sprinkle some oil into the flour and knead it into a soft dough.

To make the filling:

• Take a pan and melt some jaggery in it. Strain it to remove any impurities and keep​it aside.
• Take the scrapped coconut in another pan and add the required quantity of the jaggery syrup. Cook well for 2-3 minutes till the mixture becomes dry. Add the cardamom powder and mix well.
• Allow the mixture to cool well.

• Meanwhile make small small balls from the dough and flatten it in your palm.

• Place some​ filling into it and shape it in the form of a Modak or simply make round balls or fold it like the letter “D”. Press the edges firmly.

• Take an idli stand or idiyappam plate or a steel sieve and grease it with little oil. Arrange these modaks in the plate and steam it for around 8-10 minutes 
• Remove it from the stove and carefully transfer it on to a plate or banana or turmeric leaf.
• Sprinkle little ghee or serve it with some thick coconut milk or simply as it is. 

• But remember to offer it to Lord Ganesha first 🙂 Happy Ganesh chaturthi to all.