Make Instant Coconut Modak for Ganesh Chaturthi without any condensed milk and Khoya. These Modaks are made with milk and milk powder and need no special cooking skills.
This Instant Coconut Modak recipe comes handy especially for those who are pressed on time and want to make special homemade sweets to offer Ganesha.
About the Recipe
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most popular festival in Bharat and around the world. It celebrates birth of Ganesha, the elephant head Hindu God, the son of Bhagwan Shiv and Maa Parvati. Mythological belief is that Ganesha comes every year for 10 days on earth at the time of Ganesh Chaturthi and spends time with us. The tradition of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi started from Mumbai Maharashtra by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak who revived this as a group celebration.
Now it is one of the major celebration in all over Bharat marked with various festivities.
Check my detailed post on How we celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi and the collection of recipes for Ganesh Utsav Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi Festival and Recipes
What is a modak
As per the Bhartiya mythology Ganesha's favorite sweet is Modak, a traditonal steamed dumpling made with rice flour and stuffed with grated coconut and dry fruit filling. It became popular from the state of Maharashtra and spread across India. Not everyone is a pro in making this dumpling and it needs a bit of practice. So, people have come up with Instant modaks with various ingredients and so many variations which can be made within minutes and does not require any special skills.
This recipe for Instant Coconut Modak without condensed milk and khoya comes under 30 mins and is super easy to make.
Ingredients to make Coconut Modak
Coconut- You can use fresh/frozen or unsweetened desiccated coconut to make these modaks. When using frozen/desiccated ensure that it is not very old as it may give an aftertaste.
Milk Powder and Milk- For binding the modak. Vegan can use any plant milk like cashew almond milk and cashew or almond meal. You can also use coconut milk powder and coconut. It will have a strong nutty coconut taste.
Sweetener- I have used desi Khand (an organic raw sugar), you can raw can sugar or even castor sugar. I don't add jaggery powder to it as milk may curdle if we add it to milk while milk is boiling. You can also powder candy sugar and add to the modak mixture.
Cardamom powder- For flavour. You can add rose water/kewra or thandai powder also for variation.
Saffron Milk- for the beautiful saffron color. You may skip it if you want to keep it plain.
How to make Coconut Modak
- To make Coconut modak, firstly dry roast desiccated coconut till it starts giving aroma. Remember to keep the flame to low as coconut may burn and turn brown.
- Then add milk powder and again roast for a few seconds. Now add milk and sugar and cook the mixture till it thickens and starts to gather together. Keep the flame to low only as mixture may burn. Also, you need to continuously stir the mixture else it may stick to the pan.
- When the mixture starts to thicken add saffron milk and cook it. Take a tiny portion of dough and make a tiny ball. If the ball comes together easily then modak mixture is ready.
- Take it out in a plate and let it cool slightly and when it is warm enough to touch, shape like modaks or simply roll like ladoo.
To get multicolored modak, divide the cooked modak mixture in two parts. Keep one half white and in the other half, add saffron milk and cook till it is dry.
Then, take a small portion of white mix. and a small portion of saffron infused mixture and set in mold to shape.
You can use modak mold or simply shape with hands.
Storage and Shelf Life
Modak stays good for 3-4 days or even 2-3 days longer when refrigerated properly. Store in an airtight container. Do not store it at room temperature especially when it is hot as it has milk.
You can make it a days ahead of celebrations.
More recipes from the blog to try for the festive occasions
Check out this collection of around 100 Best Ganesh Chaturthi Festival and Recipes for bhog/prasad and serving to guests (Ladoo, Burfi, Kheer, Savoury Snacks,
Have an auspicious Ganesh Chaturthi and Ganesh Utsav with your family and loved ones!!
Recipe Card
Coconut Modak
Equipment
- Heavy Bottom Pan/Kadhai
- Silicone Spatula
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Desiccated Coconut
- ½ Cup Milk Powder
- ½ Cup Milk
- ½ Cup Sugar
- ½ tsp Cardamom Powder
- 2 tbsp Ghee
- Saffron Milk
- Chopped Pistachios for garnish
Saffron Milk
- 2-3 tbsp Milk
- 7-8 Saffron strands
Instructions
- Make saffron milk. Add saffron strands in lukewarm milk.7-8 Saffron strands, 2-3 tbsp Milk
- To make Coconut modak, firstly roast desiccated coconut with ghee, till it starts giving aroma. Remember to keep the flame to low as coconut may burn and turn brown.1 Cup Desiccated Coconut, 2 tbsp Ghee
- Then add milk powder and again roast for a few seconds.½ Cup Milk Powder
- Now add milk and sugar and cook the mixture till it thickens and starts to gather together. Keep the flame to low only as mixture may burn. Also, you need to continuously stir the mixture else it may stick to the pan.½ Cup Milk, ½ Cup Sugar
- When the mixture starts to thicken add saffron milk and cardamom powder and cook it. Take a tiny portion of dough and make a tiny ball. If the ball comes together easily then modak mixture is ready.Saffron Milk, ½ tsp Cardamom Powder
- Take it out in a plate and let it cool slightly and when it is warm enough to touch, shape like modaks or simply roll like ladoo.
- You can use modak mold or simply shape with hands.
- To get multicolored modak, divide the cooked modak mixture in two parts. Keep one half white and in the other half, add saffron milk and cook till it is dry.
- Then, take a small portion of white mix. and a small portion of saffron infused mixture and set in modak mold to shape.
- Take out and you can garnish with chopped pistachios or nuts.Chopped Pistachios for garnish
Notes
Do try these delicious melt in mouth Coconut Modaks for the auspicious occasion.
Also, whenever you try the recipe, I will love to hear/share your feedback or any queries in the comment section below. I will try to answer your queries as soon as possible.
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