Ingredients:

For the outer covering:

• 1 cup rice flour
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)
• A pinch of salt

For the filling:

• 1 cup grated fresh coconut
• 3/4 cup jaggery (grated or chopped)
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
• 1 tablespoon ghee
• A few saffron strands (optional)

Instructions:

Preparing the filling:

1. Heat a pan and add 1 tablespoon of ghee.
2. Add the grated coconut to the pan and sauté it for 2-3 minutes on medium heat.
3. Add jaggery and mix well. Cook until the jaggery melts and combines with the coconut. Stir occasionally.
4. Add cardamom powder and saffron (if using). Cook for another 2 minutes, then set the filling aside to cool.

Preparing the outer covering:

1. In a saucepan, bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt and 1 tablespoon of ghee.
2. Slowly add the rice flour to the boiling water, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
3. Cook the mixture for 2-3 minutes until it thickens and the dough starts to come together.
4. Remove from heat and let it cool for a few minutes. When it is cool enough to handle, knead the dough to make it smooth and pliable.

Shaping the Modaks:

1. Grease your hands with a little ghee.
2. Take a small portion of the rice dough and shape it into a ball. Flatten it into a small disc with your fingers.
3. Place a spoonful of the coconut-jaggery filling in the center.
4. Gently fold the edges of the dough upwards, bringing them together to form a peak, and pinch to seal. Shape the modak with a smooth top, resembling a cone.
5. Repeat for the remaining dough and filling.

Steaming the Modaks:

1. Grease a steamer or a steaming tray with a little ghee.
2. Arrange the modaks in the steamer, ensuring they don’t touch each other.
3. Steam the modaks for about 10-15 minutes or until they turn glossy and the dough looks cooked.
4. Remove them from the steamer and let them cool for a few minutes.

Serve the Ukadiche Modaks warm, ideally offering them to Lord Ganesha as a part of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations!

Enjoy your delicious homemade Ukadiche Modaks!

Ukadiche Modak

Rating: 4/5

Preparation Time: 15 m
Cooking Time: 20 m
Total Time: 35 m