Modak : steamed dumplings stuffed with coconut and jaggery filling

Well when i started making Ganesh chaturthi specials during this week, Modaks were on top of my mind, but i wanted to make them in last, just on eve of chaturthi. And today when i came came back from office i was in pretty messed up mood and also very tired. And I knew only making  modaks can rewind my mind and relax it... and now,  here you are reading my blog that i'm happily typing after i made first batch of Modaks... I pray that this chaturthi all your problems to disappear in a blink as the yummy modaks disappear from the plate...

So here you go with my recipe ...

Ingredients :

• 1 cup rice flour 
• 3/4 cup powdered jaggery 
• 1 cup grated coconut
• 1 tsp poppy seeds
• 1 tsp  sesame seeds
• 1/4 tsp cardamon powder
• 2tsp ghee (clarified butter)
• 1 pinch salt 

Method : 

For the filling :

1. In a pan melt 1 tsp ghee and roast poppy and sesame a little 
2. To this add grated coconut , jaggery powder and cardamom powder and mix well
3. The cook till all the jaggery melt and bends with the coconut and starts leaving the sides ( do not overcook as the jaggery will harden )
4. remove and keep aside

Modak dough:

1. Boil 1 and 1/2 glass of water with a pinch of salt and 1 tsp ghee in it. 
2. When the water is boiling, remove about a half a cup of water and keep aside 
3. To the remaining boiling water  rice flour and mix well such that their no lumps, add a little boiling water if you desire and cook  ( dont make the dough watery ) 
4. Remove the dough in a plate and knead well
5. Make small balls of the dough 
6. Take a small ball and flatten it on your palm, apply a little hot water to your palms if needed. 
7. Place a small amount of filling on flattened dough and join the edges to form a modak. 
8. Repeat this for all the dough balls
9. And steam the modaks in a steamer for 15 mins

Your modaks are ready...