Colorful modak is a playful take on the classic Indian sweet, traditionally offered during Ganesh Chaturthi. These steamed or shaped dumplings are filled with coconut and jaggery and wrapped in a soft rice flour shell. In this version, natural colors are used to create bright, beautiful modaks that look as delightful as they taste. This recipe makes 10–12 modaks.
Ingredients
For the Dough (Outer Covering):
1 cup rice flour
1¼ cups water
1 teaspoon ghee or oil
A pinch of salt
Natural food colors (beetroot juice for pink, spinach for green, turmeric for yellow, butterfly pea for blue – optional)
For the Filling:
1 cup grated fresh coconut
¾ cup grated jaggery
½ teaspoon cardamom powder
1 teaspoon poppy seeds or chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Filling
Heat a pan and add grated coconut and jaggery. Stir on low heat until the jaggery melts and blends with the coconut (5–7 minutes). Add cardamom powder and nuts or poppy seeds if using. Cook until mixture thickens slightly, then let it cool.
2. Make the Dough
In a pan, bring water, salt, and ghee to a gentle boil. Add rice flour gradually while stirring to avoid lumps. Turn off heat, cover for 5 minutes, then knead into a soft, smooth dough while still warm.
3. Color the Dough (Optional)
Divide the dough into portions and knead in natural color extracts:
– Pink: beetroot juice
– Yellow: pinch of turmeric
– Green: spinach juice
– Blue: butterfly pea flower water
Make sure the dough stays soft; cover with a damp cloth while working.
4. Shape the Modaks
Grease your hands. Take a small ball of dough, flatten it gently into a cup shape, place a spoonful of filling inside, and bring the edges together to form a pointed tip (modak shape). You can also use a modak mold if available.
5. Steam the Modaks
Place modaks in a steamer lined with banana leaf or parchment paper. Steam on medium heat for 10–12 minutes. The outer layer should turn slightly shiny and firm.
6. Serve
Serve warm with a drizzle of ghee if desired. They taste best fresh, though you can store leftovers for a day or two.
Tips
Keep dough covered to prevent drying
Don’t overstuff, or the modaks might break
Let them rest 5 minutes after steaming before serving
Colorful modaks are not only tasty but eye-catching too—perfect for festivals or celebrations.
