Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Diverse modak recipes for a flavorful celebration
Modaks, a quintessential sweet of Ganesh Utsav, symbolize the joy and sweetness of the festival. These delicious treats, loved for their rich and diverse flavors, are prepared with a variety of fillings and techniques. Whether you prefer the traditional steamed version or innovative variations like chocolate or dry fruit modaks, these recipes bring a festive touch to your celebrations.
Steamed modak
Prepare the filling by cooking one cup of grated coconut with one cup of jaggery until thick, adding a pinch of cardamom powder. For the dough, boil one cup of water with a pinch of salt and one teaspoon of ghee, then stir in one cup of rice flour until a soft dough forms. Shape, fill, and steam for 10 to 12 minutes.
Fried modak
Prepare the coconut-jaggery filling as in the steamed modak recipe. For the dough, mix one cup of all-purpose flour with a pinch of salt and two tablespoons of ghee. Gradually add water to form a stiff dough. Roll out small portions into circles, place the filling in the center, fold the edges, and shape into modaks. Deep fry until golden brown and crispy.
Chocolate modak
Melt 200 grams of dark chocolate in a double boiler. In a separate bowl, mix one cup of khoya (milk solids) with half cup of powdered sugar. Once the chocolate is melted, mix it with the khoya-sugar mixture. Grease modak molds with ghee, fill them with the chocolate mixture, and refrigerate. Gently remove the modaks from the molds and serve chilled.
Dry fruit modak
Grind half cup each of cashews, almonds, and pistachios into a coarse powder. Roast dry fruit powder in a pan with ghee for a few minutes. Add half cup of chopped dates and mix well until the mixture binds together. Allow it to cool slightly, then shape into modaks using greased molds or by hand. These modaks can be stored for several days.
Mawa modak
Start by roasting one cup of milk solids (mawa) in a pan until it turns light golden. Add half cup of powdered sugar and a pinch of cardamom powder, stirring until everything is well combined. Once the mixture cools slightly, shape it into modaks using molds or by hand. You can garnish these modaks with chopped pistachios or almonds for an extra touch.
