Dear friends I would like to start this blog with the recipe for Modak .This sweet dish is prepared as “nivedhyam” for Lord Ganesh on Ganesh Chathurthy.

Ingredients:

Rice flour- 1 cup

Water – 1 1/4 cup

Oil – 1 tsp

Salt – a pinch

For filling:

Grated coconut -2 cups

Grated  white jaggery  – 1 cup

Finely cut cashew nuts – 1 tbsp

Ghee – 1 tsp

Puff rice powder (laye Pitto in konkani) -1 tbsp (optional)

Cardamom powder – a little

Method :

1. Heat water in a heavy bottom kadai with salt and oil.
2. When starts boiling reduce the flame and add rice flour little by little stir it quickly without forming lumps.
3. cook in reduced flame for 8 to 10 minutes.
4. Switch off the flame, allow to become Luke warm.Knead well to smooth dough.
5. Apply oil to hands and form into small lemon sized balls.
6. Using your thumb and fore finger,flatten the edges first and gradually shape it like a cup carefully turning and pressing with equal pressure on all sides.
7. Keep little filling inside and fold it to seal well,pressing down the edges to form plait like design.
8. Arrange on greased plate or banana leaf in Idly vessel and steam for 10 to 12 minutes

For filling :

1. Heat heavy bottom kadai add  Jaggery and grated coconut stirring in between till jaggery melts completely.
2. When mixture become thick switch off the flame, now add  puff rice powder,cardamom powder and fried cashew nuts
3. Allow it to cool before stuffing in Modak. .