Mumbai: Ganeshotsav, the festival that celebrates the arrival of Lord Ganesha, is incomplete without the traditional Ukadiche Modak. These steamed rice dumplings, filled with a sweet coconut and jaggery mixture, are believed to be Lord Ganesha’s favourite treat. Making Ukadiche Modak at home is not only a delicious way to honour the deity but also a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the festive spirit.
The name ‘Ukadiche’ comes from the Marathi word ‘Ukad,’ meaning steam, while ‘Modak’ refers to the sweet rice dumpling. This dish is particularly popular in Maharashtra and is an essential part of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.
Ukadiche Modak is believed to be Lord Ganesha’s favourite sweet, making it a customary offering during the festival. After being offered to Lord Ganesha, the Modaks are distributed as Prasadam to family and friends.
The traditional recipe involves a rice flour shell filled with a sweet coconut and jaggery mixture. However, there are various versions of this dish, each with different fillings offered to Lord Ganapathi for the same devotional purpose.
While the outer rice flour layer generally remains the same, the filling can be customised. Additionally, the sweetness can be enhanced using different types of sugar or other sweeteners to make the Modak more appealing. There is also a variation where the Modak is made without any filling, using just the dough, which can be flavoured with ingredients like chocolate or dates and shaped into the traditional Modak form.
Ukadiche Modak recipe
If you’re looking for an easy recipe to prepare Ukadiche Modak for Ganeshotsav, you’ve come to the right place. This step-by-step guide simplifies the process, ensuring you can make this delicacy with ease. With a few basic ingredients and a little patience, you’ll have soft and flavourful Modaks ready to offer to Lord Ganesha and share with family and friends.
Ingredients
For coconut stuffing:
1 tsp ghee
2 cups grated coconut
1 cup jaggery
½ tsp cardamom powder
For dough:
2 cups water
½ tsp salt
1 tsp ghee
2 cups rice flour
Method
Make coconut jaggery stuffing:
Begin by heating 1 tsp of ghee in a large kadai and sauté 2 cups of grated coconut.
Sauté until the coconut becomes aromatic.
Add 1 cup of jaggery and mix well.
Cook on medium heat until the jaggery melts completely.
Continue cooking until the mixture thickens while still retaining moisture.
Stir in ½ tsp of cardamom powder, mix well, and set the stuffing aside.
Prepare the modak dough:
In a large kadai, bring 2 cups of water, ½ tsp salt, and 1 tsp ghee to a boil.
Gradually add 2 cups of rice flour, mixing gently.
Stir until the rice flour absorbs all the water.
Cover and let the mixture rest for 3 minutes.
Transfer the dough to a large bowl and begin kneading. Wet your hands to prevent burns.
Knead for about 5 minutes, or until the dough becomes soft. If the dough seems dry, wet your hands and continue kneading.
Shape modak by hand:
Take a small ball of rice flour dough and roll it out.
Using both thumbs, press the edges to create a dent in the centre.
Gradually press the edges to form a cup shape.
Create pleats around the edges using your index finger and thumb.
Place a tablespoon of the coconut-jaggery stuffing in the centre.
Gather the pleats to form a bundle and pinch the top to create a pointed finish.
Note:
You can customise the stuffing by adding dry fruits, sesame seeds, or poppy seeds.
Knead the dough well, adding water and ghee as needed, until it becomes smooth.
If the Modaks break while shaping, sprinkle some water and ghee, then knead the dough again.
Grease your hands with ghee before shaping the Ukadiche Modak to prevent sticking.
Creating Ukadiche Modak at home for Ganeshotsav is a beautiful way to celebrate the festival and bring the blessings of Lord Ganesha into your home. Whether you’re an experienced cook or a beginner, this easy recipe ensures that your Modaks will turn out perfectly every time. Enjoy the process of making these delightful treats, and let the festive joy fill your home as you offer them to Lord Ganesha and share them with loved ones.
Prepare Ukadiche Modak effortlessly with this easy recipe for Ganeshotsav. Follow the step-by-step instructions to create this traditional sweet filled with coconut and jaggery. Food & Drink Lifestyle News -Fashion Trends, Beauty Tips, Celebrity Party News, Relationship advice, Travel and Food Tips
