Ukdiche Modak

Ukdiche Modak is a traditional Indian sweet dumpling made from rice flour, filled with a mixture of jaggery, coconut, and spices. It’s especially popular during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

For the Filling:

• Fresh grated coconut: 1 cup
• Jaggery (grated): 1 cup
• Cardamom powder: 1/2 teaspoon
• Chopped nuts (optional): 2 tablespoons (cashews, almonds, or walnuts)
• Poppy seeds (optional): 1 tablespoon
• Ghee (clarified butter): 1 tablespoon

For the Dough:

• Rice flour: 1 cup
• Water: 1 1/4 cups (approximately)
• Ghee (clarified butter): 1 tablespoon
• Salt: Salt as per Taste

For the Dough:

Prepare the Filling:

1. Heat Ghee: In a non-stick pan, heat 1 tablespoon of ghee over medium heat.
2. Add Coconut: Add the grated coconut and sauté for a minute until it’s slightly toasted.
3. Add Jaggery: Add the grated jaggery to the pan and cook on low heat. Stir continuously until the jaggery melts and combines with the coconut. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
4. Flavor and Nuts: Add the cardamom powder and mix well. If using, add the chopped nuts and poppy seeds. Cook for another 2 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly. Turn off the heat and let it cool.

Prepare the Dough:

1. Boil Water: In a saucepan, bring 1 1/4 cups of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt.
2. Add Rice Flour: Gradually add the rice flour to the boiling water, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Reduce the heat to low.
3. Cook the Dough: Cover and cook for about 2-3 minutes. Then, remove from heat and let it cool slightly. Add 1 tablespoon of ghee and knead the dough while it is still warm. The dough should be smooth and pliable. If it’s too dry, you can add a little hot water. If it’s too wet, add a little

Prepare the Steamer: Grease the steamer or line it with a clean cloth. You can use a traditional steamer or a large pot with a steaming rack.Shape the Modaks:

• Take a small portion of the dough and flatten it into a small disc using your fingers or a rolling pin. Aim for about 3-inch diameter discs.
• Place a spoonful of the coconut-jaggery filling in the center of each disc.
• Gently fold the edges of the disc over the filling, pinching the top to form a peak. You can also use a modak mold for a more uniform shape. To use the mold, place a small portion of dough into the mold, add the filling, and press the dough over the filling to shape.

Arrange in Steamer: Place the shaped modaks in the steamer, ensuring they are not touching each other to allow proper steaming.

Steaming the Modaks:

1. Steam: Steam the modaks for about 10-15 minutes or until they are cooked and glossy. They should become firm to the touch. If using a traditional steamer, cover with a lid to trap the steam.
2. Cool: Allow the modaks to cool slightly before serving.

Traditionally Serve the Ukdiche Modaks warm or at room temperature with Tea spoon of Ghee. They are a great offering for Ganesh Chaturthi and can be enjoyed as a delightful sweet treat any time.