Modak/ Kozhukattai - Sweet Coconut Dumplings

Its been quite a while since this space has seen some action. And once again its my time management skills that are to blamed. But dont worry now we are back on track and I promise to bring you some really easy and tasty recipes in this festive season.
The season has pretty much already started with Onam, Rakhi and other fesitvals. And I have geared up with my spoons and skillets to make the best of it.

On 17th it was Vinayak Chaturthi or as most of us know it- Ganesh Chaturthi. Lord Ganesha is worshipped on this day and the festivities continue for 10 days. Delhi doesnt see much of its colour but there are huge celebrations in Central and Southern India.

But there are a lot of places where the Ganesha Idols are made in Delhi also. These men are real artists. They sculpt the murti and paint them with iridescent colours. They are absolute beauties. But these artists are still living in oblivion and poverty even after having such great talent. One such region is the NH-24 highway near my home. They are lined at a stretch of 1/2 km and you have to really go and have a look to know how amazing those murtis are. Here are a few of the snapshots I took.

At my place this time we visited the temple, had some prasad and I tried making Modak or Sweet Kozhukattai. My grandma used to make this always and it is one of my favourite sweet dishes. This was for the first time I tried making these and thankfully they turned out good. :)

Modak/ Sweet Kozhukattai with prasad from temple- Rawa Kesari and Chundal

Generally these are made with rice powder in South. But I tried them with suji which is a more common ingredient found in Delhi. And they are pretty simple to make too.
Have a look at the step by step instructions below and your are good to go.

PREPARING THE BATTER

MAKING THE MODAK

       

And the steamed Modak are ready to be served. And the best part is that this sweet is not just a bundle of calories, its very healthy too. So you don't have to think twice before gorging on them because I know you wont be able to stop at one.

The general recipe is an age old one that we have been making in our house, but the I got this little suji twist from The Veg Recipes Of India.

My version of recipe is below in short. Hope you all like it. Do tell me how you find it in the comments below or on my facebook page, Instagram page or on twitter.

MODAK / SWEET KOZHUKATTAI

INGREDIENTS

Suji                                           1 cup

Water                                      1/2 cup + 1 tbsp

Powdered sugar                   1tbsp

Coconut                                  1/2 (grated)

Jaggery (Gud)                        3 tbsp

Cooking Oil                            2 tsp

METHOD

1) Take the jaggery powder and add 1 tbsp of water and mix.

2) In a skillet put this mixture and coconut and cook on low flame until it is mixed well.

3) Boil the suji in the 1/2 cup water until it soaks all the water.  Add the powdered sugar.

4) Let it cool for 5 min. Now knead it to make a dough by adding 2 tsp oil gradually.

5) Make small balls out of this dough.

6) Take a ball and flatten it on the palm of your hands.(pictures above)

7) Put 1 tsp of the coconut mixture in it.

8) Now pinch five sides of this dough and close it to make a pouch like shape with a pointed top.

9) Once you are done with all of them keep it on the steamer plates and steam it either your idli/dhokla steamer.

The modak are ready to be served to Lord Ganesha and all of your guests.

Happy Ganesh Puja and Happy Eating.  ☺