Sihi Kadubu, Sweet modak, Steamed rice dumplings

Sihi Kadubu or Sweet Modak is a delicious recipe popular among the people from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

It is a healthy dish made of steamed rice flour dough stuffed with sweet fillings. It is believed that Lord Ganesha was fond of Sihi Kadubu and hence, it is usually prepared during the festival of Ganesha Chaturthi. It has a real sweet flavour and goes well with a cup of tea or coffee. Freshly grated coconut, rice flour and jaggery are the essential ingredients used for this recipe. The sweet flavour is achieved with the use of melted jaggery solution. The use of freshly grounded cardamom provides a unique flavour. Have a look at the preparation of Sihi Kadubu or sweet modak.

Ingredients for Sihi Kadubu or Sweet Modak

For rice dough

• 1 cup of rice flour
• 1 teaspoon of ghee
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 2 cups of water

For stuffing

• 1 cup of grated coconut
• 1 cup of crushed jaggery
• 2 teaspoon of poppy seeds/ Khuskhus/Gasgase
• ½ teaspoon of cardamom powder
• A fistful of cashew nuts
• 1 teaspoon of ghee

Preparation of Sihi Kadubu or Sweet Modak

• Heat a cup of water in a pan, boil it and add a teaspoon of ghee and salt. Let it boil.
• When the water starts to boil, add the rice flour and mix it to form a smooth dough. Take this off from the flame and keep it aside for cooling.
• Heat the poppy seeds / Khuskhus / Gasgase in a pan. Dry roast the poppy seeds to a light brown colour and when it starts popping, take it out from the flame and keep it aside.
• Heat a pan in a low flame and add a teaspoon of ghee. Now, add the grated jaggery. When it melts to form a dark brown coloured solution, add the grated coconut and cook it until the mixture thickens.
• Once the mixture starts to thicken, add the roasted poppy seeds / Khuskhus / Gasgase, cardamom powder and the cashew nuts.
• Cook the mixture for 2-3 minutes and keep it aside for cooling.
• Knead the rice flour dough until it becomes soft and take out some dough, roll it to form lemon sized dough pieces. Repeat the process until the whole of dough is made into lemon sized dough pieces.
• Take out one rice ball and dip it in rice flour, roll it to form a disc shape. Place a tablespoon of coconut mixture on the middle of a disc-shaped dough.
• Fold the circular-shaped dough to form a semi-circular shaped rice dumpling with the coconut fillings.
• Place it for steaming and when it’s cooked served it with a cup of tea or coffee.