Preparation of Modak / Kolukattai

1 1/2 cup rice flour
A big pinch of salt
1 tsp. oil

For the filling:

2 coconuts, grated finely
1tsp. cardamom powder
4 cups grated jaggery

Boil 2 1/2 cups water and add salt and oil. Stir in the rice flour slowly mixing thoroughly without any lump. Cook till flour mixture turns thick. Remove from the vessel and keep aside.

Now make a syrup with jaggery. Pour a small drop of jaggery syrup in a cup of water to test the consistency. When it forms a small ball add the coconut scrapings and cook on a low flame. Cook till the mixture is thick. Add cardamom powder. Cook till dry. Remove and cool.

Take one portion of the rice dough. Place in the center of the palm and make a small puri with your right thumb. Put a small port of the jaggery mixture. Close by making small pleated ends and close the top pressing the pleats carefully. Thus make all the modaks and steam cook in a pressure cooker but without putting the weight on the lid.