Modak for Ganesh Chaturthi

Wishing everyone a very happy Gowri and Ganesh Chaturthi. Hope everyone is enjoying the festivities with their beloved ones. Gowri Ganesha is celebrated in pomp and show all over India. Ganesha being the Remover of Obstacles is always prayed before any occasion. He receives the first offerings. For this year's Chaturthi, I prepared the deep fried version of his favorite sweets Modak. Last year I had opted for steamed modak. You can find that recipe here. 

In the deep fried version the filling remains the same. But I am going to reiterate the same here. I prepared 21 modak for the offering. I knew we have to use 5 ingredients and make 21 modak's. I was recently reading this very interesting article on what is the significance of number 21 in Ganesha puja. If you are interested click on the link and let me know what you think. 

Prep Time: 20 min | Cooking Time : 30 min | Makes about 21 to 25 modaks

Ingredients:

For Filling -
Grated Jaggery - 1 1/2 cup
Grated Coconut - 1 1/2 cup
Black and White Sesame seeds - 1 tsp. each 
Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp.

For outer layer - 
Wheat flour - 2 cup
Water - 1 cup
Salt - 1/2 tsp.
oil - 1 tbsp.

Canola oil (or any other) for Deep frying


Method of Preparation:

~ In a heavy bottom pan, fry sesame seeds for few minutes. Add jaggery and lower the heat. 
~ Once jaggery is melted, continue to cook for few more minutes, add grated coconut, mix it well and switch off the heat.
~ Mix cardamom powder and keep it aside.
~ Take wheat flour in a bowl, add salt and mix with water to prepare dough.
~ Add oil in the end. Now make small lime size balls out of the dough.
~ Roll out each one to a small circle of about 4 inch in diameter.

~ Take a tablespoon full of filling, put it in the center and pull up all the sides to form modak shape. 
~ Prepare all the Modak like this and keep it ready.
~ Heat the oil for deep frying. Since in India we hardly learn using thermometer for checking the right temperature, here is what I have learnt from my mom. 
~ Take a pinch of wheat dough and drop it the oil. If it immediately floats up, that means the oil is ready. Do not wait until the oil starts to fume. 
~ Now deep fry all the Modak's until golden and take it out on paper towel to drain the extra oil.
~ Offer it to Lord Ganesha and see him smile with satisfaction. May you all have a blessed year ahead.