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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