Sweet Modak (Kozhukattai)

Hi... Sorry for posting this after two weeks of Ganesh Chaturthi... But I was so held up that I could not post it at that time. I made these & came out to be very tasty on Ganesh Chaturthi. This is especially for those who do not know how to make modaks. It is very simple recipe taught by my Chachi (Chitti) Radha.. who is one of my inspirations to cook..

This can also be made during Navarathri especially on Saraswathi Poojai which falls on the 9th day of the Navarathri Festival.

Ingredients:

For Stuffing:

Grated Fresh Coconut - 1 cup
Grated Jaggery - 3/4 cup
Cardamom Powder - a generous pinch

For Dough:

Rice Flour - 1 cup
Water - 1/2 cup
Milk - 1 tsp
Salt - a pinch
Oil - as needed

Method:

1. For preparing the stuffing, heat a heavy bottom pan, add Coconut & jaggery
2. Keep stirring till the jaggery melts & combines well with coconut. Saute till both are mixed well & forms a lump. Add Cardamom powder & remove from heat to let it cool. Make 10 to 15 small balls from it.
3. For preparing dough, boil water in a pan rigorously, take a tbsp. of rice flour & mix with 2 tbsp. of boiling water separately in a bowl.
4. Add this mix to boiling water to prevent lumps when you add entire portion of rice flour (This tip was given by my Chachi!!)
5. Add the entire portion of rice flour gradually while stirring it continuously.
6. Stir until Thick lump is formed. Let the rice flour mix cool
7. Dab some oil on your palms & knead the rice dough
8. Make 10 to 15 small balls, make small cups out of those balls & stuff the prepared coconut stuffing, thereby, making modaks.
9. Steam those modaks for 10 mins in a bamboo steamer/idly cooker

Tips:

• Step no. 4 is very important to avoid lumps in the rice flour dough.
• Measurement of Rice Flour to water is 2:1.

Kesar Pista Cookies

This is the third variety of Cookie I made with the same Cookie dough but with a traditional twist of Kesar & Pista:

Ingredients:

Flour - 1 cup
Butter - 4 1/2 tbsp.
Powered Sugar - 1/3 cup
Saffron - 1 big pinch soaked in warm Milk
Pista - 2 Tbsp powdered & 20 to 25 for decoration 


Method:

1. Cream Butter & Sugar till Sugar is mixed properly
2. Add Saffron Milk & Pista Powder
3. Add Flour & knead to a soft dough
4. Divide the dough into 15 to 20 equal portions.
5. Make rounds & flatten each ball. Press it with a Pista piece
6. Pre-heat oven at 160 deg for 10 mins. Bake at 160 deg for 15 to 20 mins
7. Store it in air-tight container after cooling

Tips:

• You can cardamom powder for extra flavor
• The cookies might crack while pressing but that will add to the look of the cookies.

Mr. Brown & Mrs. Pink Cookies

This is the second variety of Cookie I made with the same Cookie dough but with a slight variation:

 

Ingredients:

Flour - 1 cup
Butter - 4 1/2 tbsp.
Powered Sugar - 1/3 cup
Rooh af zaah - 2 tbsp. (Rose sugar Syrup)
Cocoa Powder - 1 1/2 tbsp
Milk (as required) 


Method:

1. Cream Butter & Sugar till Sugar is mixed properly
2. Add Flour & knead to a soft dough
3. Divide the dough into two equal portions.
4. To one portion, add Rooh af zaah (Knead well & add Flour if required)
5. To second portion, add cocoa powder (Knead well & add Milk if required)
6. Roll each portion in elongated tube
7. Attach the two elongated tubes together & roll light till they stick together
8. Refrigerate for 45 mins & Cut into thin slices with a sharp knife
9. Pre-heat oven at 160 deg for 10 mins. Bake at 160 deg for 15 to 20 mins\
10. Store it in air-tight container after cooling

Tips:

• You can add nuts to enhance taste & texture