How to cook Modak in this Ganesh Chaturthi recipe : 2024

 Modak is a traditional Indian sweet dumpling often associated with Lord Ganesha, especially during Ganesh Chaturthi. Here's a recipe to make modak:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice flour
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)
• 1 cup grated coconut
• 3/4 cup jaggery (or sugar)
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
• Ghee or oil for greasing and shaping

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:

   • Boil water with a pinch of salt and ghee in a deep pan.
   • Lower the heat, add rice flour gradually, and stir continuously to avoid lumps.
   • Cook until the mixture forms a dough-like consistency and leaves the sides of the pan.
   • Cover and let it cool slightly.

2. Make the Filling:

   • Heat a pan and add grated coconut and jaggery (or sugar).
   • Cook on medium heat until the jaggery melts and mixes well with the coconut.
   • Add cardamom powder and mix thoroughly.
   • Remove from heat and let it cool.

3. Shape the Modaks:

   • Grease your palms with ghee or oil.
   • Take a small portion of the dough and shape it into a smooth ball.
   • Flatten the ball with your fingers into a small disc, keeping the edges thinner than the center.
   • Place a spoonful of the coconut-jaggery filling in the center.
   • Pinch the edges together to form a pleated design at the top, resembling a modak shape.

4. Steam the Modaks:

   • Grease a steamer plate or idli stand with ghee or oil.
   • Arrange the modaks on it and steam them for about 10-12 minutes on medium heat until they are cooked through.

5. Serve:

   • Let the modaks cool slightly before serving.
   • Offer them as prasad (offering) to Lord Ganesha during the festival.