Almonds or Other Dry Fruits of Your Choice: 2 tbsp (chopped)
Jaggery: 1/2 cup (grated)
Water: 1 cup
Salt: A pinch
Instructions:
Prepare the Dough:
Boil 1 cup of water with a pinch of salt.
Gradually add 1 cup of rice flour to the boiling water, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
Once mixed, cover the dough and let it steam on low heat for a few minutes.
Remove from heat, and while the dough is still warm, knead it until smooth and pliable. You may add some ghee to your hands to make the dough softer.
Prepare the Filling:
Heat 2 tbsp of ghee in a pan.
Add 1 tbsp of poppy seeds and lightly toast them until they release a nutty aroma.
Add chopped cashew nuts, almonds, or other dry fruits, and sauté them until golden brown.
Add the grated jaggery to the pan and stir continuously until the jaggery melts and caramelizes, binding the dry fruits together. Turn off the heat and let the filling cool slightly.
Assemble the Modak:
Take a small portion of the rice dough and flatten it into a disc.
Place a spoonful of the jaggery and dry fruit mixture in the center of the disc.
Carefully fold and pinch the edges of the dough together to seal it, shaping it into a modak.
Repeat the process with the remaining dough and filling.
Steam the Modaks:
Place the shaped modaks in a steamer.
Steam them for 10-12 minutes, or until the modaks become soft and shiny.
Remove from the steamer and let them cool slightly before serving.
