UKADICHE MODAK
BY- VISHWAJIT JADHAV
When we are talking about festivals the how can we forgot our best combination with festivals which is “food” Indian Cuisine many delicious delicacies are prepared for God on a particular festival. The Festival, Food, and Happiness Having an incredible combination in Indian Cuisine. Ukadiche Modak is made on the first day of Ganesh Chaturthi as an offering or prasad.
Ganpati Festival and Modak both are the unbreakable combinations because Modak is the favorite food of God Ganesh. The Traditional Dumplings of Maharashtra is Modak. Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the primary festivals of Maharashtra and Modaks has a special importance in the worship of the god Ganesh. Modak is believed to be Ganesha’s favorite food, and hence he is also known as modakapriya.
INGREDIENTS
For Ukad (outer cover):
· 1 cup of rice flour
· 1 cup of water
· ¼ teaspoon unsalted butter or ghee
· Pinch of salt
For the Saran (Filling):
· 1 cup fresh grated coconut
· ½ cup grated jaggery
· ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
· Pinch of saffron (optional)
METHOD
1. Heat thick bottom pan Add coconut and jaggery cook together on low-medium heat. Cook this mixture till it becomes thick. Do not overcook the mixture. It will become dry.
2. Keep the filling aside to cool down. Add cardamom powder and saffron. Mix well.
3. Take a deep stockpot heat a cup of water, butter/ghee, and salt. When the water starts boiling, reduce the flame, and add the rice flour gradually.
4. Quickly stir and mix the flour completely with water and cover it with lid for 2-3 mins. Reduce the heat to low. Let it cook on steam inside.
5. After 2 minutes, turn off the heat and remove the pan from the heat.
6. Take all the steamed flour on a plate or on a flat surface. Wet your hands with the cold water and start kneading. You have to knead when the mixture is hot. Knead to a soft dough.
7. Apply some oil on your hands. Take one ball and flatten it with your fingers to a shallow bowl shape. Place the modak filling in the center.
8. Wet your fingers and start pinching the edges of the bowl to make a petal shape. Bring the edges together and seal them together. Remove the extra portion of the dough from the top.
9. Make all the modaks as above. Grease the steamer lightly with ghee. Put a damp cloth in the steamer. Slightly dip the modaks in cold water and keep them in a steamer pan. This will prevent them from cracking.
10. Cover the pan with a lid and steam for 10 to 12 minutes.
11. Drizzle ghee on the modak and serve hot.
Let's come together and explore the roots of our Modak. There are many sweet innovations that are prepared and all the versions of Modak get popular because of its texture, flavor and taste.
Modak, the sweet dumpling can either be fried or steamed. It is made up of freshly grated coconut and jaggery, while the soft shell is made from rice flour or wheat flour mixed with khava or maida flour. The steamed version called Ukdiche Modak. The outer cover is called 'Ukad' and the inner filling is called 'Saran’. There are many varieties of Modak which we can prepare at home Chana Dal Modak, Rava Modak, Chocolate Modak, Dry Fruit Modak, Mawa Modak, Kesari Modak, Paneer Modak Etc.
Let's create the sweet memories stuffed with lots of Happiness like our Modak at home and don’t forgot to share with your Friends and Family Member.
THANK YOU
