Ukadiche Modak-Sweet Dumplings

Ganpati (Ganesh) festival is one of the biggest festival of Mumbai. As a Mumbaikar, I have special memories of this festival. These heart warming memories make me nostalgic . 

My mum comes from Lalbaug (famous for ganpati festivals and ganesh mandals). She's got the skills to make the best ukad (steam dough) and to deliver the best modaks for Lord Ganesha. Mum made modaks are a favourite of mine and always go down a treat. 

I have used my Mum's recipe to make these impressive modaks. They look fiddly, but they are actually easy to make and full of coconut flavour. A must have indulgent, perfect for the festive mood.

Here's the recipe .

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), Kesar ( 4-5 threads) 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)

All photograph's and text copyrights Trupti Rane's Spice Recipes and Trupti Rane's Spice Moments . Do not reproduce, copy without permission. All rights reserved.

Please use this recipe as a guideline and use your discretion to make the recipe or to make a substitution in the recipe. As results vary according to one's skills.