Modakam/Modak

Ingredients:
For the dough:
Rice flour - 1 cup
Salt - 2 pinches
Sesame oil - few drops
Water (as required)

Pooranam/stuffing:
Coconut (grated) - 1 cup
Jaggery - 1/2 cup (powdered)
Ground green cardamom - 2 pinches
Cooking camphor - a teeny weeny piece (optional)

Method:
1. Add the jaggery with 1 tbsp. of water in a pan. Allow it to boil. Remove from heat and strain the impurities.
Again heat the syrup and add the grated coconut, ground cardamom and cooking camphor (optional). When the pooranam gets thick, remove from heat and keep aside.
2. Heat water (it required 2 cups of water for this rice flour) in a thick non-stick pan with salt and sesame oil. Bring it to boil. Reduce the heat and add the rice flour little by little and stir in between. Stir well till you get a soft dough. Remove from heat and cover the pan with a lid.
3. After 15 to 20 minutes, moisten your hand with oil/ghee and start to knead the dough (at this stage the dough will be warm). Make small gooseberry-sized balls, cover them and keep aside.
4. Now moisten both your hands and take a ball. Shape the ball into a cup and keep the stuffing, close and seal it, i.e., shape like a Hershey's Kiss. Prepare all the balls in the same manner.
5. Grease the steamer vessel with oil and place the modaks in the steamer vessel. Steam them for 8 to 10 minutes. After 5 minutes, remove the modaks and place them on a plate. Offer to Ganesha and then enjoy them.

Posted in: Celebration Wishes, Sweet