Multigrain Modak

 

           Modak is a sweet dumpling that is offered to Lord Ganesha. Without it, celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi is incomplete. There are many types of modak available in the market. They are traditionally prepared with rice flour and with a coconut-jaggery stuffing. 

            However, let me share a healthy modak recipe made of multigrain flour and jaggery. I flavored it with cardamom powder and saffron. Very easy to prepare, they can be made in a very short time. The end result are these yummy modak that can be offered to Lord Ganesha on this festive occasion. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this divine festive treat.

Ingredients - 

• 1 tsp. ghee
• 1 cup multi grain flour
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup jaggery
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• a pinch of saffron
• 2-3 tbsp. milk or as required

          Heat ghee in a pan and add the multi grain flour with a pinch of salt. Roast on a low flame for 2-3 minutes or till light golden in colour. 

          Switch off the flame and add the jaggery. Mix everything well. Then add the cardamom powder and a pinch of saffron. Give it a stir.

          Transfer the mix to a bowl. Add milk, little at a time, to make it moist. It should come together when you hold it in a fist. 

          Grease a modak mold with some ghee and fill it with a small portion of the prepared mixture. Press it with your fingers to make the modak. 

          Now gently demold and arrange it on a serving plate. Make similar modak with the remaining mix. 

          Wow!!! tasty and healthy modak is ready to be offered to Lord Ganesha. 

Heat ghee in a pan and add the multi grain flour with a pinch of salt. Roast on a low flame for 2-3 minutes or till light golden in colour. 

        Switch off the flame & add the jaggery. Mix everything well.

Then add the cardamom powder & a pinch of saffron. Give it a stir. 

Transfer the mix to a bowl. Add milk, little at a time to make it moist. It should come together when you hold it in a fist. 

Grease a modak mold with ghee & fill it with a small portion of the prepared mixture. Press it with your fingers to make the modak. 

Gently demold & arrange it on a serving plate. Make similar modak with the remaining mix.

      Wow!!! tasty & healthy modak is ready to be offered to Lord Ganesha. 

Roasted Chana Dal Modak (Ganesh Chaturthi Special)

 

           Modak is a sweet dumpling that is offered to Lord Ganesha. Without it, celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi is incomplete. There are many types of modak available. They are traditionally prepared with rice flour and with a coconut-jaggery stuffing. 

            However, let me share a modak recipe made of roasted chana dal. Very easy to prepare, they can be made in a very short time. The end result are these yummy modak that can be offered to Lord Ganesha on this festive occasion. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 1 cup roasted chana dal powder 
• 1 tbsp. ghee
• 10 cashew nuts 
• 10 almonds
• 15 pistachios
• 1/3 cup sugar, powdered
• 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
• pinch of dry rose petals 
• 1 tsp. rose water
• 2-3 tbsp. milk or as required

          Grind the almonds, cashew nuts and pistachios into a fine powder. Keep aside. 

          In a pan, heat ghee and stir fry the chana dal powder for 1-2 minutes till you get a nice aroma coming through.

          Switch off the flame and transfer to a mixing bowl. Set aside to cool down. 

          Then to it, add the cashew, almonds and pistachio powder, powdered sugar, cardamom powder, pinch of dry rose petals and rose water. 

          Add milk little at a time to make it moist. It should come together when you hold it in a fist. Mix everything well.

           Now take a modak mould and grease it with some ghee. Fill it up with a good amount of the mix and close it tightly. 

           Then demold it carefully and transfer to a plate. Make similar modak with the remaining mixture. 

          Voila!!  your Roasted Chana Dal Modak are ready. Sprinkle some powdered sugar and offer to Lord Ganesha. 

                                  The powdered Chana dal.

                          In a pan, heat ghee & sauté the dal powder for 1-2 minutes till you

                          get a nice aroma coming through.

                           Switch off the flame & transfer to a bowl. Set aside to cool down. 

                                  Add the cashew, almonds and pistachio powder,

                                 powdered sugar, cardamom powder, 

                                  a pinch of dry rose petals and rose water. 

                                  Add milk little at a time to make it moist. Mix everything well. 

                                  It should come together when you hold it in a fist. 

                       Take a modak mould & grease it with some ghee. Fill it up with a good 

                        amount of the mix & close it tightly. Then demold it carefully & transfer 

                        to a plate. Make similar modak with the remaining mixture. 

                                  Voila!!  your Roasted Chana Dal Modal are ready. 

                        Sprinkle some powdered sugar and offer to Lord Ganesha. 

Foxtail Millet Khichdi (Porridge)

 

          Looking for a quick meal that is both healthy and nutritious? Then Khichdi (Porridge) made of Foxtail Millet & roasted moong dal is just what you need. Easy, hassle free and simple to prepare, it can be dished out in a jiffy. It is a great comfort food when you crave for a simple and a light meal.

          This yummy piping hot khichdi can also be enjoyed for breakfast, brunch or tiffin. It goes well with any eggplant fry, parwal fry, pickles, papad or any side dish. You can also serve it as an evening snack or after school snack. Choice is yours. So get going and surprise your loved ones with this simple and easy recipe by following the step by step pictorial guide to prepare it. 

• 1/3 cup foxtail millet, soaked for 30 minutes
• 1/3 cup split green gram lentil (moong dal), dry roasted & soaked for 30 minutes
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• 2 dry red chilies
• 2-3 bay leaves
• 1 tsp. ginger, grated
• 2 green chilies, half slit
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 2 cups warm water
• 1 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped
• 1-2 tbsp. ghee

          Wash the soaked millet & moong dal well and drain. Keep aside. 

          Heat oil in a pressure cooker and temper with dry red chili, bay leaves and cumin seeds. Sauté for a few seconds.

          Then add the grated ginger and green chilies. Sauté for a few seconds more. 

          Now add the soaked millet, moong dal, salt and turmeric powder. Give it a nice mix.

          Add 2 cups warm water and pressure cook for 5-6 whistles. When the pressure releases, open the lid and stir.

          Add chopped coriander leaves and ghee. Serve with eggplant fry, parwal fry, green chilies and lemon wedges for a hearty wholesome meal. 

                    Heat oil in a pressure cooker & temper with dry red chili, bay leaves &

                    cumin seeds. Sauté for a few seconds.

                           Add the grated ginger & green chilies. Sauté for a few seconds more. 

                  Add soaked millet, moong dal, salt & turmeric powder. Give it a nice mix.

                                 Add 2 cups warm water and pressure cook for 5-6 whistles. 

                                  When the pressure releases, open the lid and stir.

                                  Add chopped coriander leaves & ghee. 

                       Serve with eggplant fry, parwal fry, green chilies & lemon wedges for a 

                       hearty wholesome meal. 

Sabudana Paneer Modak

          Modak is a sweet dumpling that is offered to Lord Ganesha. Without it celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi is incomplete. They are traditionally prepared with rice flour and with a coconut-jaggery stuffing. 

           But let me share a modak recipe that I tried. It is made of sabudana (sago) and paneer. The stuffing is of gulkand, fresh grated coconut and chopped pistachios. The end result are these yummy modak that can be offered to Lord Ganesha this festive occasion. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 1/4 cup sabudana (sago), soaked for 4-5 hours
• paneer made from 500 ml. milk
• 2 tbsp. milk powder
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 2-3 tbsp. sugar or to taste
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup evaporated milk

Stuffing - 

• 1 tsp. gulkand
• 2 tbsp. fresh grated coconut
• 1 tbsp. chopped pistachios
• 1 tbsp. tutti frutti
• pinch of saffron

          For the stuffing - mix together all the ingredients (except saffron) and keep aside.

          Drain the sabudana completely and mash them slightly. Mash the paneer too. In a pan stir  together all the ingredients (except milk) for 2 minutes.

          Now add the milk and continue to stir continuously till it leaves the sides of the pan and comes together. Switch off the flame and allow it to cool down a bit. 

          Now take a modak mould and fill it with the sabudana-paneer mix. Make a cavity in the centre and fill it up with some of the stuffing.

          Make similar modak with the sabudana-paneer dough and the stuffing. Garnish with some saffron and tutti frutti and offer them to Lord Ganesha.

                        For the stuffing - mix together all the ingredients and keep aside.

                        In a pan stir together all the ingredients (except milk) for 2 minutes.

                        Add the milk & continue to stir till it leaves the sides of the pan.

                       Switch off the flame and allow it to cool down a bit. 

                             Take a modak mould & fill with sabudana-paneer mix. Make a 
                             cavity in the centre & fill it up with some of the stuffing.

                          Garnish with saffron & tutti frutti & offer them to Lord Ganesha.