Modhakam (Kozhukottai)

This is a sweet dumpling with coconut-jaggery filling prepared usually during Ganesh Chathurthi festival.  A variation of this with a spicy urad dal-coconut-green chilli filling is also prepared during the festival. 

Modhakam (Kozhukottai)

Ingredients:

For the outer covering
2 cup rice flour
2 to 2-1/2 cup hot water
Salt to taste
Oil

For the sweet filling
1 cup crushed jaggery

1 cup grated coconut
1 tsp cardamon powder
1 tbsp ghee

For the savoury filling
1/2 cup urad dal previously soaked for 2 to 3 hours
1/2 cup grated coconut
3 to 4 green chillies
Few curry leaves
1 tsp mustard seeds
2 tsp oil
Salt

Method:

1. First prepare both the fillings.  For the sweet filling, take jaggery in a pan with very little water.  Heat until jaggery melts.  Strain to remove any impurities.  Put back the jaggery into the pan add the coconut and keep stirring until it thickens.  Add the cardamon powder.  Take some ghee into the palm and make small balls out of this.  Keep this aside.
2. For the savoury filling, coarsely grind the dal, coconut, and chillies together without adding any water.  Add salt. 
3. Heat oil, add mustard to this.  When mustard crackles, add the curry leaves and add the dal and coconut paste to this and stir for 2 to 3 minutes to remove all moisture.  Make into balls and keep aside.
4.  For the rice flour outer covering, heat water and allow it to boil.
5.  In a bowl take the rice flour, add salt and oil to this.  Add the hot water gradually and keep stirring with a long-handled ladle.  If the consistency is right, need not use the entire water and if additional water is required add hot water little by little to form a soft pliable dough. 

6.  Grease your palms and pinch out small rounds from the rice dough. With the help of fingers make a hollow cup-like shape and fill with the sweet balls and close and roll it with both palms.  Then subsequently prepare the same with the savory balls. 
7.  Steam the modhakams/kozhukottais.