Ganesh Chaturthi 2023: 5 Easy Homemade Modak Recipes for Vinayaka Chaturthi!

Ganesh Chaturthi, the festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, is a time of joy, devotion, and delicious treats. This year the festival will be celebrated from Tuesday, September 19 to Thursday, September 28. Among the many customs and rituals associated with this festival, one of the most cherished is the offering of modaks to Lord Ganesha. Modaks, sweet dumplings with a variety of fillings and flavours, are believed to be Lord Ganesha’s favourite treat. With the much-awaited festival just around the corner, let’s explore five delightful modak recipes that you can prepare at home in a few easy steps.

Ukadiche Modak

Ukadiche Modak, also known as steamed modaks, is one of the classic and highly favoured varieties of modak.

Ingredients:

• Rice flour
• Water
• Grated coconut
• Jaggery
• Cardamom powder

Steps:

1. Prepare a dough using rice flour and water.
2. Create a sweet filling by mixing freshly grated coconut, jaggery, and cardamom powder.
3. Take a small portion of the dough, flatten it, add the filling, and shape it into a modak.
4. Steam the modaks until they are cooked.
5. Serve the Ukadiche Modak warm and savour the soft, slightly chewy dough and the sweet, fragrant coconut-jaggery filling.

Chocolate Modak

For those with a sweet tooth and a love for chocolate, Chocolate Modak is a modern twist on the traditional favourite.

Ingredients:

• Chocolate chips
• Condensed milk

Steps:

1. Melt chocolate chips and mix them with condensed milk to create a smooth, chocolatey mixture.
2. Take small portions of this mixture and shape them into modaks using molds or by hand.
3. Refrigerate until they firm up.
4. Enjoy the rich and delightful Chocolate Modaks, a modern twist on the traditional treat.

Rose Gulkand Modak

Rose Gulkand Modak is a fragrant and unique variation of this beloved treat.

Ingredients:

• Rice flour
• Water
• Gulkand (rose petal preserve)
• Khoya (milk solids)
• Desiccated coconut
• A pinch of salt

Steps:

1. Prepare a dough using rice flour, water, and a pinch of salt.
2. Create the filling by combining gulkand, khoya, and desiccated coconut.
3. Mold the dough into modak shapes and fill them with the gulkand mixture.
4. Steam the modaks until they are cooked.
5. Savor the fragrant aroma and the sweet, slightly tangy flavor of Rose Gulkand Modak.

Fried Modak

Fried Modak, also known as Talniche Modak, offers a delightful contrast to the steamed versions.

Ingredients:

• All-purpose flour
• Semolina
• Ghee
• Sweet filling of your choice (e.g., jaggery, coconut, cardamom)
• Oil for deep frying

Steps:

1. Make a dough using all-purpose flour, semolina, and ghee.
2. Roll out small circles from the dough and fill them with your choice of sweet filling.
3. Seal the edges and deep-fry until they turn golden brown.
4. Enjoy the crispy texture of Fried Modak with the warm, sweet filling.

Sugar-free modak

For those looking to enjoy the traditional flavours of modak without the added sweetener, sugar-free Modak is the perfect choice. This recipe replaces traditional sugar with natural sweeteners.

Ingredients:

• Dates
• Figs
• Nuts (of your choice)
• Cardamom powder

Steps:

1. Create a healthier modak option by using natural sweeteners like dates and figs.
2. Blend dates, figs, nuts, and a pinch of cardamom into a smooth mixture.
3. Shape this mixture into modak shapes and garnish with chopped nuts.
4. Sugar-Free Modak is a guilt-free treat that’s perfect for those with dietary restrictions.