Ukadiche Modak- Sweet stuffed rice flour dumplings

Ukadiche Modak- Sweet stuffed rice flour dumplings

Born in Mumbai , I have special memories of the Ganpati ( Ganesh) festival. These heartwarming memories of our traditional festival , which we have followed for many decades make me nostalgic. We don't get ganpati (idol) home but we do bring ganpati at our house in kankavli. Our ancestral home in halval a kokan village in taluka kankavli district sindhudurg.

My mom (Anita) is a Mumbaikar born and brought up in Lalbaug ( famous for ganpati festivals and sarvajanik ganesh mandals) . She gifted me the skills to make Ukadiche modak ( a naivedya-offering to lord ganesh)

Preparation :

Ukad (steam rice dough)

1. Boil 3 cups of water , add a tsp of ghee (melted butter) ,salt to taste
2. When water boils add rice flour ( 3 cups) and mix well
3. Knead it well while it is warm
4. Cover it with damp cloth and set aside

Filling

1. Heat 1 tsp of ghee in a wide non-stick pan
2. Add grated coconut ( 2cups)
3. Add jaggery ( grated- 1cup)
4. Add cardamom powder (1 tbsp) and cashewnuts ( few -optional)
5. Set the heat to low
6. Mix well . Do not overcook . Do not caramelise the mixture

Modaks (dumplings)

1. Wet your hands with oil and water
2. Now roll the Ukad ( dough) in a small ball , say 5-7 cm in diameter
3. Then with your fingers mould the dough ball in a cup
4. Make 5-7 pleats
5. Add the filling ( small portion enough to fit the cup)
6. Close the cup by gathering 7 pleats, tapering at top

Steaming

1. Prepare the steamer (eg. 3-tier steamer)
2. Place modaks on damp cloth
3. Steam for 10-15 minutes
4. Serve hot with ghee

Serves : 5-10

Preparation time : 20 minutes

Cooking time : 25 minutes

Recipe : Vegetarian , Vegan

Contains nuts (optional)

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