Ganesh Chaturthi: Add a twist to modak with sprouted green gram

NEW DELHI: Sweet modaks are too mainstream. Add a salty twist to them on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi with these sprouted green gram modaks.
This filling snack is not only delicious, but also healthy.

Arun Kumar, Chef de cuisine of Elior India, shared this mouth-watering modak recipe that will surely impress your guests.

Mulaikattiya Payaru Kara Kozhukattai (sprouted green gram Modak)

INGREDIENTS

For outer covering
Rice flour: 1 cup
Oil or ghee: ¼ teaspoon
Water: 1.5 cups
Salt: 1 to 2 pinches

For stuffing
Oil or ghee: ½ teaspoon
Poppy seeds (optional) - ½ teaspoon
Jeera powder: ½ teaspoon
Coriander leaves: 5 pinch
Curry leaves: 1 pinch
Fresh coconut (grated): 1.5 cups
Mustard seeds: ½ teaspoon
Onion: 2
Green chilly: 2
Green Moong dal (sprouted): 1 cups
Salt to taste

METHOD:

Making outer cover
- Take a heavy bottom pan and add ghee to it. Once it heats up, add mustard seeds, jeera seeds, curry leaves, green chilly, and coriander leaves
- Add the grated coconut and sprouted green moong dal

Making the outer cover dough
- Mix water, salt and oil in a pan or saucepan
- Heat till the water comes to a boil
- Lower the flame, and add rice flour. As soon as you add rice flour then stir and mix well
- Remove the pan from the stove-top, and cover it with a lid
- Rest for 4 to 5 minutes
- Take the entire mixture in a large plate
- Begin to knead it. Spread some water on your palms before kneading as the dough will be hot
- Knead the dough really well. If the dough appears crumbly, dense or dry, then sprinkling a few teaspoons of warm water continue to knead
- Pinch small portions from the dough, and roll into small balls in the palms of your hand
- Cover the balls with a clean kitchen towel

Shaping modak
1. Take 2 to 2.5 cups water in a large pan, and let it begin to heat on a stove-top
2. Grease the steamer pan with some oil or ghee
3. Spread some ghee or oil in your palms before shaping modak
4. Flatten the dough ball with your fingers to a round-shaped circle or a shallow bowl. Place a portion of the sweet stuffing in the center with a spoon
5. Pleat and press the edges. Bring all the edges on the top and gently press to seal the top. Get rid of any extra portion of the dough from the top

Steaming modak
- Arrange all the modak neatly in the greased steamer pan
- Use a rack or steel stand and keep the steamer pan carefully on top of the rack. The water should have begun boiling in the pan
- Cover with a lid and steam for 10 to 15 minutes on a low flame