Modak

Modak

Ingredients:

1.Rice flour - 1 cup

2.Water - less than 1 cup(around 3/4 cup)

3.Oil for greasing

4.Salt - a pinch

5.Grated Jaggery/Gur - 1 cup

6.Grated Coconut - 1 cup

7.Cardamom (elaichi) powder - 1/2 tsp.

8.Ghee - 1 tbsp.

Method :
1.For the filling, add grated coconut and jaggery in a pan and cook over a slow flame till the jaggery melts.

2.Add the cardamom powder and mix well.

3.Boil the water separately. Reduce the flame, add the rice flour while stirring continuously.

4.Whisk well so that no lumps remain. Cover with a lid and keep aside for about 5 minutes. 5.Then knead the dough while it is warm.

6.Make small balls of the dough. Then roll each of them into a round shape, around 3½" in diameter. You may use rice flour to roll the balls.

7.Add little filling in te dough.

8.Bring all the ends together and press to seal. Make long depressions on the side of the dough to make it look like a closed cloth basket!!!(Ok, I'm not very good at this, but hope you get the point:-) )

9.Prepare a steamer by adding water, and heat it till it comes to a boil. While the water is simmering, place the modaks on a greased steamer plate and steam for 10 minutes.10. Once the modaks are cooked they will turn translucent.

Serve hot drizzled with pure ghee.

This sweet becomes so popular during the Ganesh Chaturthi season that pethas are made in the shape of modaks and sold in sweet shops.