MODAK

GANPATI BAPPA MORYA!!! 

MODAK is a sweet dumpling made during Ganesh Chaturthi festival. 

Modak is an Indian sweet popular in states of Maharashtra, Goa and in the regions of Konkan in India. The sweet filling inside of modak consist of freshly grated coconut and jagery or dry roasted coconut and powdered sugar while the outer soft shell is made from rice flour or wheat flour for crispy outer cover. 

RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE - Modak is considered to be the favourite sweet of Hindu deity, Ganesha or Ganpati. During Ganesh Chaturthi, the puja usually concludes with an offering of 11, 21, 51 or 101 Modaks to Ganesha as prasaad or prasadam. Modaks are made with rice flour shells or wheat flour shells. Now a days there are varieties of modaks like Mava Modak, Chocolate Modak, Peda/Pedha Modak and so on. 

Today I am sharing a fried version of Modak, Fried Modak as the name suggests is a fried version of the steamed modak and much easier to make than steamed version. 

"This year Ganesh Chaturthi is starting on August 22,2020." 

The outer covering of the dumpling is made from whole wheat flour and hence it is a bit dense as compared to ones made form all purpose-flour (maida). Please remember to roll the dough thin and not thick. While rolling the centre can be a little thick but the edges have to be thin as when you bring together the edges the thickness increases and on frying it becomes pretty dense and hard or crisp. 

The recipe of the out cover is from my mom's recipe of Modak. Let's get started.....

MODAK

Ingredients - 

For The Outer Covering 

• 2 cups of whole wheat flour (atta) 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 2 teaspoons warm oil
• Water as required to knead dough 

For The Inner Filling 

• 1.5 cups shredded dry coconut 
• 1 to 1.5 cups powdered sugar 
• 4-5 tsp charoli or cashews crushed 

Recipe - 

Preparing the covering 

1. Sieve the flour with salt and add the warm oil to it. 
2. Add water gradually and knead to a smooth but firm dough. 
3. Once the dough is kneaded, keep it covered for 20 to 30 minutes. 

Making Stuffing 

1. Dry roast the shredded coconut. 
2. Let it cool down completely. 
3. Add 1 cup powdered sugar to it and add the charoli or cashews to it and mix well. (You can add a bit of more sugar to it to adjust sweetness as per your taste) 

Preparing and shaping 

1. Take a small ball from the dough. 
2. Roll thinly into a circle about 2-3 inches diameter. 
3. Gently take this circle on your palm. 
4. Now add the filling in the centre. 
5. Now start pinching the edges one by one. This comes from practice. 
6. Bring together all the pinched folds together and taper the centre.
7. After stuffing and shaping, keep them aside. Cover with a cloth so that dough does not dry out. 
8. Heat oil for deep frying. 
9. Deep fry in medium hot oil till golden and crisp. 
10. Place on paper towels. 

Modaks are ready to offer our beloved Ganpati Bappa and chant Ganpati Bappa Morya!!!!