Modaka & Karchi Kayi. ( With Nuts )

Ganesha Festival is nearing. Some tasty Prasadam should be prepared for Lord Ganesha as Naivedyam..

 Ganesha is Modaka Priya, priya means likes and modaka is one of the traditional dish done either steamed or fried.
I have tried simple and healthy way of Fried modakas which are very crunchy, filled with jaggery,dry nuts and little jaggery. It is easy to prepare and nice to have them for festivals. In our place we do prepare this modak

Things Needed :

Chiroti Rava /Thin variety of Rava : 1 Cup
Maida (  Refined wheat flour) :1/2 Cup
Jaggery : 1/2 cup
Dry  Coconut: 1/2 cup
Dry nuts : 2 Tablespoons
Oil : 1 cup ( For frying )
Ghee: 1 tablespoon
Cardamom : 3 to 4
Salt : a pinch
Mixed Nuts :  2 Tablespoons ( Almonds, cashew nuts and raisins).
Poppy seeds : 1 Tablespoon

Method :

 1. Take a big bowl, add maida, ghee, chiroti rava, salt, and mix it well. Add water and mix the dough nicely. ( Take care while adding water. Add water little by little).

2. Dry grind almonds and powder it. Cut cashews into small pieces.
3. Grate coconut and keep it aside. Powder cardamom and keep aside.

4. Keep a pan on the fire and put jaggery and coconut. Let it mix well. Add dry ground almonds and 

 raisins.

.

5. Mix it well. Add cashews and poppy seeds and let all the moisture from coconut. No need to be mix till it gets thick. Keep the pan down and put off the fire. Let the sweet mixture get cool.
6. Kneed the mixed flour nicely and divide them into small portion.

7. Turn the small portion and turn as a ball shape and roll it flat with roller.
8. Now place a teaspoonfull of sweet conten/Hurana on flattened pooris.

9. Bring all the sides and give a shape of modak or karchikai/sweet fried kadabu.

 
10. Arrange the modakas in a plate or tray.

11. Keep a pan and heat. Put oil and heat. ( Low flame).

12. Fry the modaks one by one on low flame till they turn golden brown.

13. Take it from oil once it is done, put it on a kitchen tissue.

14. Repeat the same with remaining dough and stuffing.

15. Healthy and yummy Modakas are ready to serve.

Note :

Do not stir the sweet content till thick. Let the moisture disappear. Stirring coconut - jaggery mixture helps the ingredients to bind well. Use of more maida is optional. Remember use of chiroti rava/Thing variety of semolina is always better and healthy. Use of sugar instead of jaggery is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes
Serves : 12 to 15 Modakas/Karchikais can be prepared.

Roasted Horse Gram Rasam ( Huruli Saaru )

Horse Gram is called Huruli in Kannada, Horse gram helps to strenghen the bones.

Horse gram is is very good for horse, he buffaloes, animals that are used for carrying loads.
Horse gram is cooked in loads and put it to the he buffaloes during the  land ploughing season,. So they stay fit and fine during rainy season when ploughing the land process goes on.

Lets come back to the Horse gram/Huruli Saaru. It is healthy and provide needed minerals and vitamins to our body, keep our body warm.Not only Horse gram Rasam, chutney, idli dosa, Usuli/Sundal also can be prepared. Sweet Laddu made by Horse gram is very famous.

There are different ways to prepare rasam. Here I have just dry roasted and used horse gram.
Horse Gram Rasam goes well with Hot plain rice. It also can be served as soup.
Lets see the recipe now .

Things Needed :

Horse Grams :  2 Tablespoons
Tomato : 1 Medium size
Turmeric Powder:  a pinch
Tamarind : Lemon Size
Mustard seeds : 1/2 Tea spoon
Urd Daal : 1/2 Tea spoon
Curry leaves : 8 to 10
Oil : 1 Tea spoon
Ghee : 1 Table spoon
Asfoetida ( Ingh )  a pinch
Salt : to taste.
Coriander leaves : 2 Table soon ( cut it in to small )
Fresh Coconut : 1 Table spoon
Rasam Powder : 3 Tablespoons

Method:

2. Dry roast horse gram till the raw smell disappear. Do it on a low flame. Leave it for cooling.
3. Grate coconut and keep it aside. Wash and cut tomato. Keep it aside.
4. Grind coconut, roasted horse gram, rasam powder and lemon size tamarind together with little water. (Consistency according to your wish).
5. Remove from the mixi jar, put the ground mixture to a big bowl or pan. Add required water and cut tomatoes.

6. Add salt, turmeric powder and boil for 5 to 6 minutes.

7. Season with mustard seeds, urid dal, ingh and curry leaves.
8. Add a spoon of fresh ghee and coriander leaves and serve.

Note :  

Horse gram should be roasted well. Do it on a low flame. Use of rasam powder is optional. I have used home made rasam powder. It is always better to use home made spices. Use of tomato is also optional. (You can skip tomato). Using Garlic Seasoning is optional. Garlic lovers do love the aroma and enjoy. ( I normally do not use garlic and here too I did not use).
Time : 30 Minutes
Serves : 3 to 4