Modak is perhaps the most famous traditional Indian dessert. It is served on the occasion of the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi as a prasad for Lord Ganesha. It is a sweet dumpling having an outer cover made up of rice flour and a sweet filling of coconut and jaggery flavored with cardamom.
The unique feature about Modak is the traditional appearance which gives it a look of a dumpling having pleats on its sides and a sharp tip. Traditionally, it is a steamed preparation, hence healthy, soft, and fragrant. Preparation of Modak’s by families is a common ritual observed by many Indian families during the festival.
Apart from the significance associated with its religious offering, the tasty flavoring makes it quite popular even today in various modified versions like fried Modaks, Chocolate Modaks, Dry fruit Modak etc.
Ingredients
Outer covering: 1 cup rice flour, 1 cup water, 1 tsp. ghee, a pinch of salt
Sweet filling: 1 cup grated coconut, 3/4 cup grated jaggery, 1/2 tsp. cardamom powder, 1 tbsp. chopped dry fruits (optional).
Making Modaks
Preparation of the filling
Heat a pan and put grated coconut and jaggery. Cook over medium flame till jaggery melts and gets well mixed with the coconut.
Add the flavor
Cardamom powder and dry fruits can be added. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes and cool down the mixture.
Make the dough
Rice flour dough can be prepared by adding ghee and boiling water with a pinch of salt in it. Let it cool down.
Shape the modaks
Take a small piece of the dough and flatten it to make cups. Put some spoon of filling inside it.
Shape it in a traditional way
Fold the sides of the cup to give it a look of a dumpling.
Steam the modaks
Put the modaks in the steamer. Steam for 10-12 minutes.
Serve
Serve the freshly prepared modaks as a prasad or dessert.
