It’s time to prepare umpteen varieties of Modak, as Ganesh Chaturthi is around the corner and Modak is one of the best sweet dishes of Lord Ganesh. This festival is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesh in all over India with full of happiness and joy, especially in the Maharashtra, where the celebration is of complete 10 days. So this time, have you plan to prepare something special, which you have not cooked earlier? If yes, then it’s good, but still if you’re in confusion, then don’t worry, we are here to help you in the very best way.

Modak, which is the main “Prasad” during Ganesh Chaturthi and most of you don’t know how to prepare as it’s famous in Maharashtra only, so a very few, who know its procedure. That’s why, we are bringing the recipe of this unique and flavourful dessert that described in a very easy manner. So, make happy to Lord Ganesh by preparing Modak in the “Prasad” on this Ganesh Chaturthi. As there are many varieties in the Modak, and here rendering you the Modak prepared using rice flour.

Step by step recipe of Modak:

Ingredient for the stuffing

• 2 cups of fresh Coconut (grated)
• ½ cup mixture of pistachios and cashews (unsalted)
• ½ pinch of Cardamom Powder
• ½ tsp of Poppy Seeds (posta dana)
• ½ tsp of Nutmeg Powder (Jaya phal)
• ½ cup of Milk
• 1 cup of Jaggery or Sugar (grated)

Ingredients for the outer layer

• 1 cup of Rice Flour
• 1 tsp of Ghee
• 1 cup of Water
• ½ tsp of Salt

Procedure

• Heat ghee in a pan and add poppy seeds, cardamom powder and nutmeg powder.

• Stir all the ingredients properly for a minute.

• Now, add grated fresh coconut and jaggery or sugar.

• Mix properly and cook this mixture on the very medium flame. If you add jaggery, then it will melt first.

• Continuously stir the mixture, till the moisture from the jaggery begins to dry.

• After that, switch off the flame and keep this coconut-jaggery mixture aside. This will get thicker on cooling.

• Now, for the outer layer of the Modak, add water and salt in the pan or a wok (kadai). Keep it over the stove.

• Let this mixture come to a boil.

• After that, add the rice flour and quickly stir the flour with the water.

• Keep stirring, until the whole rice flour is mixed with water.

• Now, switch off the flame and remove the pan from the stove.

• Cover the pan with a lid for 4 to 5 minutes.

• Transfer all the dough in a bowl.

• Bind the dough together and start to knead it, until it gets smooth without any lumps.

• Take out medium sized balls from the dough, roll out the balls, until they get smooth in your palms.

• You can also apply some water on your palms while rolling the balls.

• Cover the balls with a kitchen towel.

• One thing notes that the balls should not have cracks and should be smooth in appearance.

• After doing all these things, take one ball and flat it with your fingers on your palms in the shape of round disc or a shallow bowl shape. During flattening, you can apply ghee/oil in your palms.

• Now, fill 1 tablespoon of filling and placed in the center of dough.

• Press the edges carefully. You can also press the edges first and then add the filling.

• Bring together all the edges and join them. Remove the extra portion of the dough from the top.

• Give the shape to the Modak and seal the top of it with your fingers.

• Repeat the procedure for remaining dough.

• When you completed, keep all the Modaks in a steamer pan and cover the pan with a lid. Steam them for 10 to 15 minutes on a very low flame.

• One the Modaks are steamed, drizzle a few tablespoons of ghee on them.

• Modaks are ready to be offered to lord Ganesha.