Chef Aanal Kotak Shares Modak Recipes For Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is the celebration of Lord Ganesha’s birthday. It is also believed that during these 10 days, he visits his brother, Lord Kartikeya, and hence, his idol is brought home and marks a celebration with great pomp and show. Devotees decorate a mandap, prepare all their favourite delights, and perform venerations while hosting large gatherings. But can you imagine any festive season without sweets? It is impossible, especially when Lord Vinayak is considered a fellow foodie. According to several folklores, he loves ladoo, modak, and many other milk-based sweets. Therefore, Slurrp connected with Chef Aanal Kotak, Celebrity Chef, Retropreneur, TV Host, and YouTuber, to bring you modak recipes for treats that you can offer to the Gods and Goddesses during the festive season and satisfy your sugar cravings as well.

Cashew Modal Recipe

Ingredients

For Sugar Syrup

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water

For Modak

  • 2 tbsp ghee
  • 1 cup cashew
  • ½ tsp cardamom powder
  • Silver varakh (for garnish)

Method

  • Grind cashews into a fine powder and sieve it. Keep aside.
  • Combine sugar and water in a pan. Cook until the sugar completely melts.
  • Heat ghee in a pan, add cashew powder, and cook for 2-3 minutes until combined. Cool the mixture to room temperature.
  • Add the prepared sugar syrup to the cooled cashew mixture. Mix until it reaches a dough-like consistency. Add cardamom powder and mix well.
  • Grease the modak mould with ghee. Fill it with the mixture, press, remove excess, and demold.
  • Decorate each modak with silver varakh.

Tips and Variations

  • Use high-quality cashews for the best flavour and texture.
  • Adjust the amount of sugar syrup according to your preference.
  • Experiment with different flavours like saffron or rosewater for a unique twist.

Also Read: How Top Indian Chefs Are Experimenting With Fox Nuts 

Rose & Pista Modak Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cashew
  • 1 cup pista
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tbsp ghee
  • ½ tsp cardamom powder
  • 1 tbsp dry rose petals

Method

  • In a mixer blender, grind cashew and pistachio to a fine powder. Sieve the powder to remove any coarse bits.
  • In a pan, add sugar and water. Cook until the syrup reaches a slightly thick consistency.
  • Add ghee to the syrup, then stir in the cashew-pista powder. Cook for 2-3 minutes while stirring continuously.
  • Add cardamom powder and mix well. Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then add dry rose petals and combine.
  • Grease a modak mould, fill it with the mixture, and shape the modaks. Set for a while before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • Use high-quality cashews and pistachios for the best flavour and texture.
  • Adjust the amount of sugar syrup according to your preference.
  • Experiment with different types of rose petals or add a few drops of rosewater for extra flavour.

Red Velvet Modak Recipe

Ingredients

  • Red velvet cake sponge
  • ½ cup cream cheese
  • ¼ cup pistachio
  • ¼ cup cashew
  • ¼ cup walnuts (chopped)
  • Silver varakh (for garnish)

Method

  • Mix the cream cheese with pistachios, cashews, and chopped walnuts in a bowl. Keep aside.
  • Crumble the red velvet cake sponge and lightly press it into modak moulds or a tray to form a base layer.
  • Place the prepared cream cheese and dry fruit mixture in the centre. Cover with more red velvet mixture, pressing gently to seal and shape.
  • Demold carefully and garnish with silver varakh.

Tips & Variations

  • Use high-quality red velvet cake sponge for the best flavour and texture.
  • Experiment with different types of nuts or dried fruits in the filling.
  • These Modaks are perfect for festive occasions like Ganesh Chaturthi, with their vibrant red colour and creamy filling.

Ukadiche Modak Recipe

Ingredients

For Saran (Stuffing)

  • 2 cups coconut (desiccated)
  • 1 cup jaggery
  • 1 tbsp ghee
  • Pinch of cardamom powder
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg powder

For Dough

  • 1 cup rice flour
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tbsp ghee
  • Pinch of salt
  • Saffron strands (for garnish)

Method

For Saran

  • Mix coconut and jaggery in a bowl.
  • Heat ghee in a pan, add the coconut-jaggery mixture, and cook until the jaggery melts.
  • Add cardamom and nutmeg powder, mix well.

For Dough

  • Boil water with ghee and salt, then add rice flour and mix well.
  • Cook, knead, and rest the dough.

For Assembling

  • Shape dough into Modaks, fill with saran, and steam for 10-12 minutes.
  • Garnish with saffron strands.

Nutella Modak Recipe

Ingredients

  • Chocolate cake sponge (crumbled)
  • 4 tbsp chopped walnuts
  • 4 tbsp Nutella
  • Chocolate chips (for garnish)

Method

  • Crumble the chocolate cake sponge in a mixing bowl. Add chopped walnuts and mix well.
  • Mix in Nutella until well combined.
  • Grease the modak moulds, fill with the mixture, and shape.
  • Set in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  • Top with Nutella and chocolate chips before serving.