Strawberry Rose Modak

Strawberry Rose Modak, made with semolina,sugar, strawberries, rose syrup is easy to make and a delectable sweet offering to Lord Ganesha during the Ganesh Chaturthi Festival. Basically, traditional kesari is made from semolina, sugar and saffron. Here, I’ve made strawberry kesari using fresh strawberries, rose syrup and a few nuts.
As this was for Ganesh Chaturthi, I used the modak mould to shape this delicious kesari into modaks. However, you can offer and serve Strawberry Rose Kesari warm in bowls without shaping it.
What is a Modak?
Modak is a traditional Maharashtrian sweet. The dumplings are made from rice flour and stuffed with coconut, jaggery, spices and sometimes nuts. As with other dishes, modak has over time taken on new avatars. In fact, the classic shape of a modak is like a plump lotus bud and pinched at the top. These days traditional recipes for barfis, pedas, laddoos are given the shape of modak as offering to Lord Ganesha.
Mythology
According to Hindu mythology, Ganesha loves modak, therefore also known by the name Modakpriya. Commonly 21 modaks are offered as prasadam which then are distributed to the devotees. It is believed that demi Gods presented Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati with the unique divine modak that would impart an incredible amount science, art, scripture and writing knowledge to the one who eats it. The sons Ganesha and Kartik didn’t want to share it. Both were put to test on what sincerity and devotion means to them.
The Test
Lord Kartik left the abode in search for sincerity and devotion to all the spiritual places. On the other hand, Lord Ganesha simply went round and round his parents to show his unconditional love and devotion. As a result he got to savor the divine modak.
Lord Ganesha’s Other Favorites
Besides Modak, Lord Ganesha loves ladoos/laddus, puffed rice and bananas. Check out some recipes what you can offer during this Ganesh Chaturthi:






Ghee Kera is another great option to offer as prasadam as Ganesha loves bananas. A very quick and easy peasy recipe which requires no cooking at all.
Ganesh Chaturthi -2021
Definitely going to be different as I’m still living in an AirBnB. Get limited to what I can cook. At the end, if I’m not able to make anything, fruits as offering will be good enough. And perhaps Ganesha maybe happy with some Chocolates. Let’s see. These Strawberry Rose Modak, I had made last year and didn’t get the opportunity to blog the recipe. Wasn’t 2020 Ganesh Chaturthi different? It seems this year visits to temples may or may not happen.
Ingredients Required For Strawberry Rose Modak
- Semolina – sooji, rava
- Ghee – clarified butter
- Milk – I’ve use normal 2% or 3.25% milk.
- Sugar – preferably white if you want that beautiful pink colour.
- Rose Syrup – I prefer using a good quality rose syrup.
- Strawberries – fresh ones, wash, remove the leafy tops and puree in a food processor.
- Water – to puree the strawberries
- Cardamom Powder – elachi
- Edible Rose Petals – optional
- Pistachio – cut into slivers or roughly chopped.

STRAWBERRY ROSE KESARI MODAK
Ingredients
- ½ cup semolina,sooji
- 1 cup milk warm
- 3 tbsp ghee
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tbsp rose syrup
- 8-10 medium strawberries fresh
- 1 tbsp coarsely chopped pistachio
- ¼ tsp cardamom powder
- 1 tbsp chopped dried rose petals organic
Instructions
PREPARATION OF STRAWBERRY ROSE KESARI
- Wash the strawberries and puree them using the ½ cup water.
- Pour the puree into a small pan. Add about 2-3 tbsp sugar from the measured sugar.
- Heat the puree over low heat, stirring it frequently till the sugar melts. Let it simmer for 3-4 minutes.
- Add rose syrup to the strawberry puree and mix.
- Heat ghee in a wide pan over medium heat.
- Add semolina, lower the heat. Roast the semolina, stirring it constantly till it turns light brown in colour or the ghee begins to separate.
- Add milk, slowly from the edge as steam will be created.
- Mix well, and make sure there are no lumps.
- Add the strawberry puree and sugar.
- Keep stirring till the mixture comes away from the pan and becomes like a dough.
- Add cardamom powder, rose petals and pistachios.
- Mix and serve hot strawberry rose kesari.
PREPARATION OF MODAK:
- Open the mould. Lightly grease a modak mould with some ghee.
- Take about a teaspoonful of the kesari and form a rough ball.
- Place the ball in the middle part of the mould.
- Close the mould. Press the kesari from the bottom.
- Open the mould and remove the shaped kesari.
- Repeat with the remaining kesari.
Notes
- Serve hot strawberry rose kesari as a dessert
- I didn't add any food coloring as the rose syrup has colour. However, if you want then add red food colour.
- If you don't have dried rose petals then omit adding them.
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20 Comments
Seema
September 13, 2021 at 4:46 pm
These strawberry modaks are my favourite. Love the colour, I am sure the aroma of the strawberry and the rose petals together was aromatic.
mayurisjikoni
September 16, 2021 at 3:57 pm
Thank you so much Seema. I too love the flavours.
Neha
September 13, 2021 at 9:34 pm
Strawberry rose modak is another innovative modak. I will try this in bar form . It seems quite quick and easy to make and impressive too. Good explanation about modaks too, Very creative!
mayurisjikoni
September 16, 2021 at 3:56 pm
Thank you so much Neha. Serve it as a warm dessert, as that is how kesari is served. It tastes good when served warm.
Archana
September 14, 2021 at 2:21 am
Wow! You did not publish this delicious post for 1 year?!!!
I certainly love the use of semolina, strawberries and rose here. Love the shaped modak. I need to try making them for sankasthi when modak are offered.
Simple and yet yum. Thanks.
mayurisjikoni
September 16, 2021 at 3:55 pm
Archana, I made it on the last day of Ganesh Chaturthi and then thought I’ll post it but didn’t get round to it. So waited for this year 🙂 it was all ready in the draft.
Amrita Roy
September 14, 2021 at 2:59 am
Strawberry Rose Modak is unique prasadam for Lord Ganesha. Also, this is a very quick recipe. I will definitely try this.
mayurisjikoni
September 16, 2021 at 3:54 pm
Thank you so much Amrita, it definitely is a quick recipe and different too.
Preethicuisine
September 14, 2021 at 9:34 am
Strawberry rose Modak is an interesting twist to the regular Modak. They look super tempting . Beautiful colour. Will try it for next Ganesh Chaturthi.
mayurisjikoni
September 16, 2021 at 3:52 pm
Thank you so much Preethi. Do make them next year and best part is that it doesn’t take that long to make them.
Jayashree T.Rao
September 14, 2021 at 10:21 am
Strawberry Rose Modaks look lovely and flavoursome. Loved the use of strawberry here. Nice prasad for Lord.
mayurisjikoni
September 16, 2021 at 3:51 pm
Thank you so much Jayashree, I was very pleased when it turned out not only pretty but tasty too. Perfect offering to the Lord.
Seema Sriram
September 14, 2021 at 11:58 pm
This strawberry modak looks amazing. Such a pretty festive colour. I am sure this can be a recipe for all Indian festivals as rose kesari.
mayurisjikoni
September 16, 2021 at 3:48 pm
It sure can Seema, had also made it as a strawberry kesari but forgot to take photos.
Avin Kohli
September 15, 2021 at 8:46 am
I love reading bits of background or history about the recipes and its amazing what you share. Already bookmarked recipe for layer!
mayurisjikoni
September 16, 2021 at 3:48 pm
Thank you so much Avin. Enjoy when you try out the recipe.
Lata Lala
September 15, 2021 at 1:49 pm
A unique twist with combination of strawberry and rose for traditional Maharashtrian delicacy modak is truly amazing Mayuri.
These look so tasty and beautiful as well. Fabulous recipe.
mayurisjikoni
September 16, 2021 at 3:45 pm
Thank you so much Lata. Defintiely different from the traditional modak recipe.
Lathiya
September 22, 2021 at 6:55 am
Strawberry modak? That sounds interesting and hat’s off to your innovation. I loved the color of the modak am sure it tastes great.
mayurisjikoni
September 22, 2021 at 9:57 pm
Thank you so much Lathiya.