Steamed Modak

I have a soft corner for Maharastrians, I guess I have spoken a lot about it before. Since I was a month old, I have always enjoyed their company in neighbourhood. I love eating their authentic dishes and yes, I absolutely love their modaks… I remember, my mum used to observe a fast on ‘Angarika Chauth’ and she always prepared these modaks (fried ones though). In later years, I saw her making steamed modaks too… Last year when I didn’t have an option of asking her to make some for my Ganesha too, I thought of trying out by myself. Called her up, asked her a recipe and here is what I did :)

They definitely didn’t come out so perfect in shape… But I was happy with the end result. I so much miss being with those lovely ladies (ManglaMausi, RekhaTai, ChitraAunty n BhartiAunty)!!! :(

INGREDIENTS:

For Cover–
1/2 cup Rice Flour
1 cup Water
1 tsp oil
a pinch of salt

For Filling–
1/2 cup Fresh Coconut, grated
1/2 cup Jaggery, chopped or powdered
1 tsp Cardamom Powder
1 tsp Oil
2-3 tsp Chopped Nuts

STEPS TO FOLLOW:

1. Heat oil in a pan and add saute nuts into it.
2. Add grated coconut and roast it for 2 mins and before it starts changing color, add jaggery in the pan.
3. Mix everything well and cook it on medium flame until jaggery melts completely.
4. When it starts forming a soft dough, turn off the heat and let the mixture cool down to room temp.
5. In deep pan, mix water, oil, salt and bring it to boil.
6. Add rice flour into it and stir well to make a lumpfree mixture.
7. Just after mixing, take it off the heat and cover with a lid. Let it rest for 10 mins.
8. Transfer the mixture to a flat greased surface and knead the dough for a while.
9. Divide it in 10-12 equal portions and flatten them a bit using your palms and fingers only.
10. Put a spoonful of filling in center and cover it completely from edges like kachori. Repeat the same for all modaks.
11. Arrange them in a greased steam pan and steam them for about 10 mins.
12. And the glossy modaks are ready for bhog to Ganpatiji!

SJ’s NOTE:

• You can drizzle some ghee on top before servings.
• Also, you can eliminate nuts or add more in quantity!