Ganesh Chaturthi 2021: Mumbai home chefs share unique modak recipes to make during the festival

With Mumbairsquos beloved Ganesh Chaturthi around the corner cautionary preparations are in full swing However festivities in India are incomplete without sweets and Ganesh Chaturthi is no different with a plethora of mouthwatering treats on offer Sweets like Puran poli and Shrikhand are popular among devotees but modak which is Bapparsquos favourite is the undisputed king of Ganeshotsav While the sweet may be available in restaurants home chefs across the city are experimenting with this traditional delicacy and infusing it with unique flavoursHere are three experimental modak recipes to sweeten your GanpaticelebrationsSushi modakHome chef Sapna Poddar gives a Japanese twist to the classic modak Pic Sapna PoddarldquoYou must have had different types of sushi and modak but have you ever eaten a contemporary yet traditional dish like sushi modak Try something new this timerdquo shares Sapna Poddar of Saprsquos Kitchen in Lower ParelIngredientsTo make sushi500gms sushi rice 750ml ndash water 100ml sushi vinegar 60 gms sugar 20gms ndash salt pinch of turmeric powder 14th beetroot a handful of butterfly pea flowerFor the fillingCarrotgrated 1 pc cucumber finely chopped 1 pc beetroot grated 1 pc coconut grated and baked half cream cheese 1 tbsp seaweed wasabi gari soyaMethodFor the rice1 Divide rice and water in four equal parts to make four different colours2 Add pinch of turmeric butterfly pea flower and beetroot to three of these equal parts and cook the rice3 Mix sushi vinegar salt and sugar4 Pour equally on each coloured riceFor the filling1 Mix coconut with cream cheese2 Mix carrot and cucumber with Wasabi mayo 3 Mix beetroot with spicy mayo which is made from mixing mirin mayo togarashi powder4 Mix carrot and cucumber with both wasabi mayo and spicy mayoAssemble 1 Take the modak mould and fill in the rice2 Do it for all different variations3 Then decorate it with the sauce and spice4 Serve with wasabi gari and soyaYou can preorder the sushi modak through Lokal KitchenCost Rs 350 a box of four different varieties of modak Rs 600 a box of four tricolour modakShirkhand modakHome chef Librina Dsouza combines two traditional desserts into oneShrikhand modak Pic Librina DsouzaldquoShrikhand is a traditional Indian sweet made with hung curd usually and flavoured with saffron and cardamom This season bring Bapparsquos favourite home the fusion wayrdquo says Librina Dsouza of the 23 Eat Street kitchen in GoregonIngredientsHung curd 1 12 cup sugar 34 cup or jaggery as per your choice 1 cup milk ndash 2 tsps cardamom powder frac14 tsp saffron 3 4 strands nutmeg powder 1 pinch nuts handfulMethod1 In a pan take hung curd and cook on a lowmedium heat until the curd creates a partial firm texture2 Add sugar or jaggery mix it on a low flame until the sugar dissolves Add the milk and keep stirring until the mixture is smooth mava texture Add cardamom powder and a hint of nutmeg mix it all and let it cool3 When cooled partially start moulding the mixture into modak as per your preference4 Keep it refrigeratedYou can preorder the shrikhand modak through Lokal KitchenCost Rs 140 for 250 gmsBaked modakHome chef Rakhi Vashishth shares her healthy variant of the fried modak PicRakhi VashishthldquoThis is a healthy twist to Bappas favorite modak without compromising on the taste Our baked modaks come with a coconut jaggery filling ndash Indeed a healthy twist to talniche modak mixture of coconut jaggery khuskhus nuts and dried fruits filled inside wheat flour sheet and baked instead of fryingrdquo says Rakhi Vashishth who runs ChokhoJeeman a Goregaonbased kitchenIngredientsFor outer coveringAtta 12 cup Maida 12 cup ghee 2 tbsp a pinch of saltFor the fillingKhus khus 2 tsp coconut ndash 1 raisins 15 gms almonds and cashews 30 gms jaggery 100 gms ghee ndash 2 tbspMethodFor the covering1 Mix ghee with flour and knead it by adding water little by little Be careful to not knead too much and make a medium soft dough2 Cover and keep for 15 to 20 minutesFor the filling1 Heat a pan and add the ghee When it is medium hot add khuskhus2 Once it starts crackling add coconut and roast on medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes3 Add raisins and jaggery and mix it well4 Let it cook on slow heat till water evaporates5 Mix the almonds and cashews and switch off the stove6 Let it coolFor the modaks1 Make small balls out of dough and roll them with rolling pin in the shape of a poori Hold in your palm and put a spoon of filling in it 2 Gather from all sides in pleats and stick them together on the top3 Preheat oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes Grease or put parchment paper on the baking tray and place the modaks on it4 Put a little ghee or oil on them and bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 25 to 30 minutes depending on your ovenYou can preorder the baked modak through Lokal KitchenCost Rs 252 pack of 6 Rs 462 pack of 11Also ReadGanesh Chaturthi 2021 Why these Mumbaikars went zerowaste with their festival celebrations