Sweet Modak with coconut, jaggery filling

This is a simple sweet dumpling. In Kerala, we do not celebrate Vinayaka Chaturthi with such enthusiasm as in Maharashtra. And hence I didn’t know of  “Modaks” which are the offerings to Lord Ganesha. For me, all I knew was “kozhukattas” which are made during Easter. And my share of Kozhukkata comes when Mamma prepares it from left over Idiyappam dough. If she is in no mood, it wouldn’t have any particular shape. 😛 Else it will be nicely done in a mould.

Come on, let’s prepare. 🙂

Ingredients:

Rice flour – 1 cup, Grated Jaggery – a handful, (or Sugar) Coconut – 3/4 cup, grated, Ghee – 1/2 tsp, Crushed cardamom – a tsp, Water – 1 cup, Salt

Method:

Melt jaggery in ¼ cup of water and strain. Add the coconut and ghee to the filtered jaggery and cook till the liquid is dried up. Add crushed cardamom and remove from fire. Keep it aside.

Boil a cup of water with salt. Add the boiled water to the rice flour little by little and mix it. Keep aside and knead the dough when still warm. The consistency of the dough should be same as that of Idiyappam dough (coming soon) and looser than the ‘chappathi’ dough.

The quick Process:

1. Make small medium sized balls out of the dough.

2. Take one ball and place it on your palm. Press it with the other hand, flatten and make a small well at the center.

3. Keep the Jaggery filling at the center

4. fold it inwards to cover it. Roll it into a ball.  Similarly, you can make many number of Jaggery balls.

For the perfectly shaped ones:

1. Open the mould and grease it with oil.

2. Close it.

3. Take a small ball from the dough and keep it inside the mould. Spread and press it on all the sides leaving the center empty.

4. Put a spoon of the coconut/jaggery filling inside.

5. Close it with dough.

6. Now open the mould. You get perfect Garlic shaped Kozhukataas.

7. Steam the modaks/kozhukkattas for 10 to 12mins.

Chef says:

You SHOULD strain the jaggery once melted. You would be surprised to see the impurities it leave behind. Once I didn’t strain and I heard my Mamma scream 😛 The jaggery which is available in shops contains lots of impurities and sand.

You can also use sugar mixed with grated coconut for the filling if you do not have jaggery.

Oh, be innovative! Add dry fruits as cashews or raisins <3

Check out other Modak recipes:

Chocolate Modak

Ammini Modak

Also linking to Haffas Kitchen Back to School Lunch Ideas

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