Fried Modak (Fried SWEET Dumplings)

Somebody has rightly said that there is always a first time to everything, Being a Punjabi, born and brought up in the North part of India have never celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi. Since I have been in Bombay and now in Pune, the whole atmosphere of Ganesh Puja have always attracted me. How people have so much faith in Ganpati, the elaborated celebrations for 10 days, ceremonies, decorations, So all this more, forced me to celebrate Ganpati this time.

With full zeal and happiness we have brought our Ganpati for 5 days, hoping that these days are full of his blessings.

So today I prepared Modaks. I have made the fried version as my family prefer those over the steamed ones.

Fried Modak

Ingredients:
2 cup of Wheat Flour
2tbsp Ghee
1/2 salt
Warm water/milk to knead the dough


For the filling:
1.5 cups Grated Jaggery
2 cups Grated Coconut (Fresh or sukha coconut) I have used the sukha one
1tbsp Poppy Seeds or khus khus
3tbsp Chopped almonds
3tbsp Chopped cashews

1tsp Cardamom power
2tbsp Water

Procedure:

• Make a smooth dough, with the ingredients mentioned above for the outer covering.
• Keep it covered for 20-30 minuted before preparing the modaks.

For the filling:

• Take a pan, add in the poppy seeds, dry roast them for 2-3 minutes.
• Add in the coconut and the jaggery.
• Cook them till the jaggery melts.
• Add in the chopped almonds and cashews. mix them
• Let it cook till the mixture is completely dry and cooked.
• Add in the cardamom powder.
• Keep it aside and allow it to cool.

For the Modaks:

• Divide the dough into small size balls.
• This would yield 20 modaks approximately
• Roll the ball into 3-4 inches diameter.
• Take this circle in your palm.
• Add in a spoon full of mixture in the center.
• Now start pinching the edges one by one.
• Bring all the pinched edges together.
• And press it in the center.
• Do the same with all the remaining dough.
• Deep fry on low flame and make sure it does not remain uncooked from inside.
• Drain and serve Hot.

Ganpati Bappa Moriya