Ukadiche Modak

Ingredients:

Coconut fresh grated 1 cup (Approx. 80 g)

Jaggery powdered ¾ cup (Approx. 100 gm)

Sesame seeds, roasted 2 tsp

Cardamom powder ¼ tsp

Rice flour 1 cup

Water 1.5 cup

Salt 1/8 tsp

Ghee 1 tsp

<h2>For stuffing-</h2>Put a saucepan on a medium flame, add grated coconut and grated jaggery together.
Stir until the jaggery melts and the ingredients mix.
Add roasted sesame seeds and cardamom powder, mix well until all the moisture evaporates.
Once the mixture is dry, keep aside to cool.
<h2>For Outer covering:</h2>Take water in a saucepan. Add a pinch of salt and put it on heat.
Once the water comes to a boil, add ghee and mix well.
Add rice flour and stir immediately to dissolve the lumps.
Cover the pan with a lid and steam it for 2-3 mins.
Take the vessel off the heat and allow the mixture to cool.
Once the mix is cool enough to touch, knead it into smooth soft dough. Apply water to the palms and knead the dough to get smooth lump-free dough.
Divide the dough into 15 balls.
Take a ball and press it in the centre with the thumb, and shape it into a flat disk or shallow bowl shape.
Place the modak filling in the centre.
Now using your thumb and first finger, start pinching the little edges and make the pleats.
Bring all the edges together and seal it. Make all the modaks in a similar way.
You can also use readymade modak mould.
Meanwhile, keep the steamer ready with water. Bring the water to boil.
Arrange the modaks on a banana leaf, brush the modaks with water and keep them in the steamer.
Cover the steamer with a lid and steam them for 10-15 mins on medium flame.
The ukadiche modak are ready to be offered to Lord Ganesh.