Ganesh Chaturthi Festival Special Modak Recipe

Making stuffing

1. Heat a pan and reduce flame to a low. Add ghee or oil and then tip in the poppy seeds, cardamom powder and nutmeg powder. Fry for a few seconds until the poppy seeds start crackling. 
2. Add the grated coconut and jaggery.
3. Mix very well. On a low flame cook the coconut and jaggery mixture till there is less moisture in the mixture or for about 7 to 9 minutes. Do not overcook.
4. Then add rice flour to this mixture which will help in absorbing any extra moisture.
5. Let this mixture completely cool.

Making the dough

1. Combine water, salt and oil in a pan or saucepan.
2. Heat till the water comes to a boil.
3. Lower the flame and add rice flour. As soon as you add rice flour then stir and mix well.
4. Remove the pan from the stove-top and cover it with a lid.
5. Rest for 4 to 5 minutes.
6. Take the entire mixture in a large plate or board.
7. Begin to knead it. Spread some water on your palms before kneading as the dough will be hot.
8. Knead the dough really well. If the dough appears crumbly, dense or dry, then sprinkling a few teaspoons of warm water continue to knead.
9. Pinch small portions from the dough and roll into small balls in the palms of your hand.
10. Cover the balls with a clean kitchen towel.

Shaping modak with hands

1. Spread some ghee or oil in your palms before shaping modak.
2. Flatten the dough ball with your fingers to a round-shaped circle or a shallow bowl. Place a portion of the sweet stuffing in the center with a spoon.
3. Pleat and press the edges. Bring all the edges on the top and gently press to seal the top. Get rid of any extra portion of the dough from the top. Make modak this way with the entire dough and stuffing

Shaping modak with mould

1. Firstly spread some oil or ghee inside the mould. Then close the mould.
2. Place the dough ball inside the mould. Then create a space inside by pressing the dough inside the mould.
3. Add the sweet stuffing inside the created space.
4. Close and seal the bottom with a small piece of the dough by flattening it.
5. Open the mould and gently remove the modak.
6. Make all modak this way by using any of the method - by shaping with hands or by using the mould. Cover with muslin or a clean kitchen napkin.

Steaming modak

1. Take 2 to 2.5 cups water in a large pan and let it begin to heat on a stove-top
2. Grease the steamer pan with some oil or ghee.
3. Arrange all the modak neatly in the greased steamer pan keeping some space between them.
4. Use a rack or steel stand and keep the steamer pan carefully on top of the rack. The water should have begun boiling in the pan.
5. Cover with a lid and steam for 10 to 15 minutes on a low flame.
6. When the Modak are done, drizzle a bit of ghee on top. Serve Modak to Bhagwan Ganesha.