Ukdiche Modak/Rice Flour and Jaggery Dumplings

Modak or lets say Ukdiche Modak is a festive rice flour dumpling made during the auspicious occasion of Ganesha Chaturthi!Ganesh or the Indian Elephant God is the bearer of all good luck and prosperity!His name is uttered before starting a new venture,embarking on a journey or starting an endeavour!Its His blessings which ensure success and keep everyone protected from evil forces!So in His Holy name I present His most loved food item – the Ukdiche Modak which is a rice flour dumpling filled with Jaggery and Coconut!

Note : You can get plastic/metal Modak moulds for shaping beautiful Modaks!Else do it by hand!Requires practice but you master it eventually!

Preparation Time : 1 hour

Makes : 12 – 14 Modak

INGREDIENTS

For the casing :

2 cups Rice Flour

3/4 cup hot water

2 tbsp ghee

1 tsp salt

For the filling :

1 1/2 cups powdered Jaggery

1 tbsp ghee

1/2 of a grated fresh Coconut

2 tsp Cardamom Powder

2 tbsp sugar

METHOD

For the filling :

Heat the ghee and add the jaggery.Add 3 tbsp water and allow it to melt on medium heat.Add the coconut and mix well.Cook for 3 – 4 minutes till the jaggery and coconut are nicely mixed.Add the cardamom powder and mix well.Take out on a plate to cool to room temperature.

Divide into 12 – 14 portions.

For the casing :

Put the rice flour in a bowl and add salt and ghee.Mix the ghee into the rice flour and pour the hot water gently on top of the flour.It will be hot so give it around 10 minutes to start mixing when you can handle the heat.Mix it roughly with a spoon or a wooden spatula.

After cooling down knead with greased hands into a smooth dough.Divide the casing into as many portions as the filling.

Make the Modak :

Flatten each portion of the casing and insert a portion of filling into it and seal it well.Lift one side to make a point and flatten it a bit.

If you want to make ornate Modaks then pleat the casing at the edges and insert the filling inside.Seal and make a pointed tip.

Use the moulds if you want perfectly shaped Modaks.

Steam them on a greased plate for 8 – 10 minutes on medium heat!

Offer them to Lord Ganesh and savour the taste as it will have the divine taste of His blessings added to it!