Delicious Homemade Modak Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup Rice Flour
1-1.5 cup Water
1 teaspoon Ghee
A pinch of Salt
1 cup Grated Jaggery
1 cup Grated Coconut
1/2 teaspoon Cardamom Powder
2 tablespoons Chopped Nuts (optional)

Steps and instructions

In a pan, bring 1-1.5 cups of water to a boil. Add a teaspoon of ghee and a pinch of salt to the boiling water.
Lower the heat and gradually add the rice flour while stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Mix well.
Cover the pan with a lid and let the mixture cook for 2-3 minutes on low heat.
Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool. Once cooled, knead it into soft and pliable dough. Keep this dough covered with a moist cloth to prevent it from drying out.
In another pan, combine the grated jaggery and grated coconut. Cook this mixture on medium heat until the jaggery melts and the mixture comes together.
Add the cardamom powder and optional chopped nuts to this mixture and mix well. Turn off the heat and let this filling cool.
Now, divide the dough into small portions and shape each into a ball. Flatten each ball and make a small well in the center. Fill this well with the coconut-jaggery mixture.
Pleat the edges of the dough and bring them together, creating a modak shape. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
Steam these modak in a steamer for 10-15 minutes. Once steamed, remove them from the steamer and let them cool before serving.

Tools for making

Pan - A medium-sized pan to cook the jaggery-coconut filling.
Steamer - A steamer to steam the modak until they are cooked.
Lid - A lid to cover the pan while cooking the rice flour mixture.
Mixing Spoon - A spoon to stir and mix the ingredients.
Grater - A grater to grate the jaggery and coconut.
Knife - A knife to chop optional nuts or for shaping the modak.
Moist Cloth - A moist cloth to cover the dough and prevent it from drying out.

Recipe variations

Using Wheat Flour instead of Rice Flour
Adding a pinch of Saffron strands to the dough for a fragrant and vibrant color
Replacing Jaggery with Sugar for the sweet filling
Adding a teaspoon of Poppy Seeds to the coconut-jaggery filling
Including chopped dry fruits like almonds, cashews, or raisins in the filling
Adding a teaspoon of Nutella or Chocolate Ganache to the filling for a chocolaty twist
Making a savory version by replacing the sweet filling with a mixture of grated vegetables and spices
Experimenting with different shapes for the modak like dumplings or crescents
Adding a teaspoon of Rose Water or Cardamom Essence for a different flavor profile

Recipe overview

Modak is a traditional Indian sweet dumpling offered to Lord Ganesha during the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. This delectable dessert is made with a rice flour shell filled with a divine mixture of jaggery and coconut. It has a unique pleated shape that adds to its appeal. The process involves preparing the sweet filling, followed by the outer shell, and then shaping and steaming the dumplings. This recipe takes you through a step-by-step method to prepare these sweet offerings at home. Soak in the festivities by preparing these mouth-watering treats and enjoy the sweet burst of flavors with each bite. It might seem a bit intricate but with a little bit of patience, you'll be able to make your own batch of heavenly modaks.

Common questions

How do I make the dough for Modak?
To make the dough for Modak, bring water to a boil, add ghee and salt to it. Gradually add rice flour while stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Cook the mixture for a few minutes, then let it cool. Knead the cooled mixture into a soft and pliable dough.
How do I make the coconut-jaggery filling?
To make the coconut-jaggery filling, combine grated jaggery and grated coconut in a pan. Cook the mixture on medium heat until the jaggery melts and the mixture comes together. Add cardamom powder and optional chopped nuts. Mix well, then let it cool before using as a filling for the Modak.
How do I shape the Modak?
To shape the Modak, take a portion of the dough and flatten it. Make a small well in the center and fill it with the coconut-jaggery mixture. Pleat the edges of the dough and bring them together to create a Modak shape. Repeat this process with the remaining dough and filling.
How do I steam the Modak?
To steam the Modak, place them in a steamer and steam for about 10-15 minutes. Once steamed, remove them from the steamer and let them cool before serving.

Serving dishes and utensils

Mixing Bowl - A large bowl to mix the rice flour dough and the coconut-jaggery filling.
Pan - A cooking pan to boil water, cook the coconut-jaggery filling, and heat the modak.
Steamer - A steamer to steam the modak until they are cooked and tender.
Lid - A lid to cover the pan while cooking the rice flour dough and steaming the modak.
Spoons - Wooden or silicone spoons for stirring the rice flour dough and the coconut-jaggery filling.
Knife - A knife for chopping nuts (if using) and shaping the modak.
Plates or Serving Tray - Plates or a serving tray to arrange and serve the modak.
Moist Cloth - A moist cloth to cover the rice flour dough and keep it from drying out.

Origin stories

Modak is a beloved sweet dumpling popular in the Indian state of Maharashtra, often associated with the Hindu god Lord Ganesha. It's believed that Modaks are Lord Ganesha's favorite food, and so they are specially prepared during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, a ten-day celebration of his birth. During this festival, devotees prepare Modaks in homes and temples as offerings to the deity, hoping to earn his favor and blessings. Not just a divine delicacy, Modaks are also a testament to the long-standing culinary traditions of India that celebrate its rich culture and mythological lore, bringing communities together in festivities marked by faith, love, and of course, food.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.