Modak is a steamed or fried dumplings traditionally made using rice flour and filled with grated coconut and jaggery. It is offered to Lord Ganesha on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. Lord Ganesha is known to love sweets, and modak and laddoos happen to be among His favourites.

Modak is usually shaped using hands, but nowadays moulds are available too which can be used to get perfectly shaped modaks. Do check out my video to see how to shape modaks using hands in case you do not have a mould available for the same…:)

Few things to keep in mind

• Dough for the modak: Make sure you use boiling water to make the dough. Also, the dough should be kneaded well to make it into a really soft and smooth dough.
• Filling: I have shown the traditional filling recipe. But there are other filling options too which many prepare these modaks in.

Recipe

Ingredient List

For the modak dough

• Water – 1 cup
• Salt – ¼ tsp
• Ghee – ½ tsp
• Fine Rice Flour – 1 cup

For the modak filling

• Grated Coconut – 1 cup
• Jaggery – ½ cup
• Cardamom Powder – from one cardamom

Step by Step Process

1. Mix all the ingredients for the filling and keep it aside.
2. Boil the water for the modak dough along with the salt and ghee. Turn off the heat once the water comes to a boil. Add the flour to the water immediately and mix well with a spoon or spatula till a smooth dough is formed.
3. Now transfer the dough into a large mixing bowl and knead with your palms till you get a smooth dough. Sprinkle water, if needed, during this process of kneading.
4. Divide the dough into lemon size balls and keep it covered.
5. Flatten each ball on your palms (you can apply some ghee if needed) and place a small portion of the stuffing in the centre. Bring together the edges to form a tear drop shape by pinching the top. Using the handle of a spoon, mark indents from the bottom to the top and keep it aside. Repeat this for all the modaks. (Watch video to check out this process of shaping the modaks)
6. Heat water in a steamer. Either place a banana leaf in the steamer or grease it with some ghee and place the modaks carefully. Steam for about 10 min till the modaks are cooked and have a shiny surface.
7. Take it off from heat and your modaks are ready to be offered to Lord Ganesha and celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi.