Modaks for Ganesha!!!

I am giving these modaks to Ganesh Ji in advance!!

Ingredients

1 cup Chana dal (Bengal gram dal)
1/2 cup Dates (deseeded)
2-4 tbsp ghee
raisins roasted in ghee
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp crushed cardamom
Cashew Nuts for garnish



Preparation

Pressure cook chana dal along with dates, with water just required to cook the dal. Blend the dal and dates in a mixer to make a thick paste. Do not add much water while blending.
In a pan roast raisins in ghee and set aside. In the same pan add 2-3 tbsp ghee, add cardamom powder and then the chana dal-dates paste. To this add sugar and stir continously, cook until the mixture leaves the sides of the pan. If you feel the mixture is not leaving the sides of the pan, add some more ghee :) Lord Ganesha will be Happy!! Fold in the raisins.
Remove from heat and let it cool. Use mold to make modak shapes. If you do not find a mold you can use the traditional hand juicer. (hope you got me!!) Top it with cashew nuts. Neivedyam ready for Ganesh chaviti (Chaturthi)!

Sorakaya payasam ( Bottle gourd pudding)

It is time for Ganesh Chaturti so I thought will post some sweet recipes.

Ingredients

1 cups grated bottle gourd
3 tbsp ghee
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup khoya
2 cups milk
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
Dry fruits roasted in ghee for garnish

Preparation

In a pan add 2 tbsp ghee and saute grated bottle gourd till it is soft and cooked. Set aside. In a heavy bottomed pan heat milk till it boils. To the milk add sugar, cardamom powder, khoya and bring to boil. Add the cooked bottle gourd and cook for 2-3 minutes till the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and garnish with dry fruits. Serve warm.

Drumstick kootu (Murungai poricha kootu- Tamil cuisine)

Ingredients

1 cup moong dal (pressure cooked)
4 drumsticks
salt to taste
1/2 tsp turmeric
oil

For ground paste

1 tsp urad dal
1/2 tsp jeera
2-3 green chillies
1/2 cup grated coconut
1 tsp rice
1 tomato (optional)

For Tempering
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
a dash of asafoetida
5-10 curry leaves

Preparation

Cut drumsticks into medium size pieces and cook it in little water by adding salt and turmeric. In a pan add 1 tsp oil and fry the urad dal to golden colour. Along with it slightly roast the grated coconut too.
Now grind to paste all the given ingredients. To the cooked drumstick, add the ground paste required water and bring to boil. To this mixture add cooked moong dal and cook for 2 more minutes. Turn off the heat and temper with the given ingredients. Tomato adds more flavor to a kootu.