Ganesh Chaturthi, a long-awaited and widely celebrated Hindu festival, celebrates Lord Ganesha, the beloved elephant-headed deity known for removing obstacles and bestowing wisdom and prosperity. Spanning ten days of fervent devotion, vibrant processions, and intricate rituals, the festival begins on 19 September 2023 and holds a special place in the hearts of Indians. One of the most cherished aspects of Ganesh Chaturthi is the preparation and offering of Modak's, Lord Ganesha's favourite sweet treats.
Modak, a beloved sweet dumpling, takes centerstage during Ganesh Chaturthi. This delectable treat consists of a rice flour shell filled with a delightful mixture of coconut, jaggery, and cardamom. However, the tips for perfect modaks include achieving a soft, crack-free dough, ensuring the filling is not overcooked, and mastering the art of shaping, whether with moulds or by hand. With these tips in mind, you can craft these divine offerings to please Lord Ganesha and delight your taste buds during this auspicious festival.
Tips To Make Modaks
Rice Dough
The key to a perfect modak lies in the rice dough. Achieving the ideal texture can be challenging, but the right balance is important. A dry dough can make shaping difficult and result in chewy, dense modaks. To create a smooth and soft dough, the proportion of rice flour to water is vital. Depending on the rice flour's texture, you may need to adjust the water slightly.
Stuffing
Overcooking the filling can cause the jaggery to harden and become chewy. If this happens, don't worry. Simply sprinkle a few tablespoons of hot water into the mixture and stir continuously. The hot water will dissolve the hardened jaggery, restoring its softness. Alternatively, you can sprinkle water and continue cooking the mixture on low heat until it softens.
Cracks in the Dough
Maintaining the right water content in the dough is essential. Too little water results in a dry dough with cracks, making it difficult to shape. Adding excessive oil or ghee can lead to the dough tearing during shaping. Balancing the moisture content is key to achieving a smooth, crack-free dough.
Flattening and Shaping
When shaping the modaks, strike a balance in dough thickness. A thin dough may tear during shaping, while an overly thick one will require more time to cook and may not taste as pleasant. Opt for a moderate thickness to ensure both the modak's integrity and flavour.
Modak With Mould
To make modaks with a mould, start by preparing a smooth rice flour dough by mixing rice flour, water, a pinch of salt, and a teaspoon of ghee. For the filling, combine grated coconut, jaggery, cardamom powder, and a teaspoon of ghee in a pan. Next, grease the modak moulds with ghee, press a portion of the dough into the mould, add the coconut-jaggery mixture, seal it with more dough, and remove the modak from the mould. Steam these modaks for 10-12 minutes until they turn slightly translucent. Offer them to Lord Ganesha and enjoy!
Modak Without Mould
To make modaks without a mould, first, prepare a smooth rice flour dough with water and a pinch of salt, same as with mould. For the filling, combine grated coconut, jaggery, and cardamom powder in a pan, cooking until jaggery melts. Grease your palms with ghee, take a small dough portion, and flatten it. Place a spoonful of the coconut-jaggery mixture in the centre and gather the edges to form a pyramid shape. Steam these hand-shaped modaks for 10-12 minutes until slightly translucent. Offer them to Lord Ganesha and enjoy the delicious homemade treats.