Making the sweet stuffing:Take grated coconut in a pan
Turn the heat on medium,Add jaggery
Mix well,as it gets heat up, jaggery will start to melt
Keep stirring and cooking for couple of minutes
Then add poppy seeds, cardamom powder, cashews and raisins
Mix well and keep cooking till all the moisture is evaporated
The mixture should be dry,It took me 4-5 minutes,Time may vary,If you are making bigger batch then it will take more time
Keep aside and let it cool
Making the dough:Take water in a saucepan, add pinch of salt
Turn the heat on medium-low,Let it come to a boil
As it starts boiling, add ghee, Mix
Immediately add rice flour,Quickly stir it using spatula or wooden spoon,Make sure there are no lumps
Cover with lid,Cook for 2-3 minutes,Do stir once or twice in between
Remove it to a plate
Let it cool to touch
Once it is warm or cool enough to handle
Start kneading the dough
If it feels hot, apply some water on your palm and continue kneading
make the smooth and lump free dough
Make smooth balls out of it
With this quantity I got 15 balls
Making modak using mould:Grease the inside of the mould using ghee
Add one ball into the mould
Press it tightly and make the hollow center
Use your finger to shape it
Now add the stuffing
Lightly press it
Now take little dough and seal the open part
Now open the mould
Gently remove it and place on the plate
Keep it covered while you shape the rest
Shaping by hand:Grease your hand with oil or ghee or just wet with water
take one ball on your palm
Now using your other hand, slightly press it make the small disc
Now using two hands (thumbs and fingers), gently press it and keep shaping it
Make about 3-4 inch diameter circle
In center, add 2-3 teaspoons of stuffing
Now using your thumb and first finger, start pinching the little edges and make the pleats
More near the pleats, more beautiful it will look
This comes from the practice
Now carefully pinch it together and seal it
Place on the plate and continue making rest of them,Keep them covered
Steaming ukadiche modak:Prepare the steamer and let the water come to a boil
Meanwhile, Brush all the modak using water, Or alternately you can dip them in a glass of water
Prepare the steamer thali
Arrange the parchment paper or muslin cloth or banana leaf on the steamer thali
Arrange modak on the thali,Steam them for 13-15 minutes on medium heat
Let it cool to touch
Now remove them and place them on the plate