Modak for Lord Ganesha | Vinayaka Chathurthi Special

With idols of Lord Ganesha in every size and shape imaginable adorning the markets,the celebrations for one of the most favorite Gods birthday are in full swing.Every year,I decide to try making the modak and hope that it comes out great.Readers would remember my tiff with the modak-the covering and the filling comes out great every single time but when it comes to shaping the modaks,I fail and offer the Lord either small round balls of the modak or the flattened version.Never the pleated modaks:(

However,sometime back amma suggested I use the modak moulds for pretty shaped modaks and I thought it was a great idea.Last year,I was in Ernakulam for Vinayaka Chathurthi and me and amma decided to try making the modaks using the mould and I am happy to share it came out great.

With or without the mould,pretty or not,if offered with a pure heart and complete devotion,I am sure the Lord doesn't mind :)
Modak

Ingredients

For the covering

Rice flour - 2 cups
Water - 3-3 1/2 cups,boiled
Oil - 1 tsp
Salt - a pinch

For the filling

Jaggery - 2 cups,grated
Grated coconut - 2 cups
Ghee - 1 tsp
Cardamom - 1 tsp,freshly ground

Method

 
Melt the jaggery in a deep kadai and strain it while its hot.At home,amma uses dark colored jaggery,which has impurities so she always melts the jaggery first and strains it.
 
Put the melted jaggery back into the kadai and when it starts to boil,mix in the grated coconut and ghee.Stir continuously for 5-7 minutes or until the mix starts to dry up a little.Add in the cardamom and switch off the flame.Keep aside.
 
In a wide bowl add the rice flour and salt.Keep adding the boiling water to the bowl and mix simultaneously using a spatula.Start with 3 cups and add more using tablespoons until the dough comes together.If the dough is still dry add a few tablespoons more and if it is wet add few tablespoons of flour.It depends on the kind of rice flour you use.But always start with less water so you can control the consistency of the dough.Add oil and cover the dough till you prepare the modak.
 
We used a modak mould but you can make it easily without it as well.
Make small table-tennis ball sized balls out of the dough.Grease the modak mould well.Place the dough inside the mould and spread well using your fingers.
 
Add about 1 tsp full of the filling and cover with a pinch of dough.Open the mould and pretty looking modaks are ready to steam.
Another method- place the dough ball in your left palm and slightly flatten it.Put in the filling and close the ends.Now place this inside the modak mould and close the mould.Open the mould to get pretty looking modaks.
After following both the methods,we found the former to be less time-consuming,you can follow the method of your choice :)
 
Place the modaks on a plate in a steamer and steam for 8-10 minutes by which time the modak would be done and the outside layer will have a shine to it.
Serve to Lord Ganesha and devour as prasadam.

Wishing all who celebrate a very Happy Vinayaka Chathurthi.