Kozhukattai recipe | modakam – Sweet Poornam kozhakattai recipe for Ganesh Chaturthi | Varalakshmi nombu – Recipe with full video for outer cover and modakam
I grew up seeing my amma and grandmother making kozhakattais on a large scale for Varalakshmi nombu and Ganesh Chaturthi. We all love kozhukattais, both the sweet and savory versions were made. Appa loves sambar for ulundu poornam kozhakattai and a batch of ammini kozhukattais was also made. So unknowingly I have inherited the passion for making modakam | kozhakattai right from childhood.
I still love making modakam but in my in-law’s house, we make only the sweet poornam kozhakattai, not the savory version. But we all love the cute mini ammini kozhukattais. I have posted a detailed post on how to make Outer cover for modagam in 4 different ways . Also, my Instagram page have these videos too. Do give this a try and let me know how it turned out.
Also check out other Varalakshmi nombu recipes and Ganesh Chaturthi recipes.
                      
 

Check out 4 ways of making outer cover for modakam Method:
- In a pan add water and add the sesame oil also.
- If using rice flour add salt, since I used the idiyappam flour I didn’t add salt.
- When the water starts boiling, keep the flame to medium and add the flour to this and stir continuously for a minute, without any lumps.

- Put off the flame and when it is warm roll it with your hands to form a nice dough.
- Cover it with a damp  cloth.

To make poornam:
- Add the coconut, jaggery, and ghee in the pan and stir it continuously.

- After 2-3 minutes this will form a thick mixture.
- If you feel that this is slightly loose, just add 1 tsp of rice flour to this and mix well.
- Add cardamom powder and mix well. Switch off the flame.

- When it is cool make it into small balls.
- Make the dough  into  lemon sized balls.

- Take a dough ball.
- With your fingers make a small cup out of it and place the poornam.

- Close this and make it into a modak shape.

- Do the same for the rest of the dough.
- Grease an idli pan, and place the kozhukattais/modakams in this and steam it for 10 minutes on medium flame.

- When it is done allow it to cool for 2 minutes. Otherwise it will break if you take it when it is hot.

- Kozhukattais are ready for neivedhyam.
Check out my recipe for  Parrupu payasam and Sakkarai Pongal .
Note:
- Always keep the dough (outer layer) covered in a damp cloth.
- Modakam | Kozhukattai stays soft for 5-6 hours if the outer cover is prepared well.
 

Kozhukattai | modakam
Ingredients
For outer dough
- 1 cup Rice flour | idiyappam flour
- 1.5 cup Water 1.25 cup to 1.5 cups approximately
- 1 tsp Sesame oil
- Salt a pinch
For the coconut poornam
- ¾ cup Coconut grated
- ½ cup Jaggery
- 1 tsp Ghee
- 1 pinch Cardamom powder
- ½ tsp Rice flour optional
Instructions
- In a pan add water and add the sesame oil also.
- If using rice flour add salt, since I used the idiyappam flour I didn’t add salt.
- When the water starts boiling, keep the flame to medium and add the flour to this and stir continuously for a minute, without any lumps.
- Put off the flame and when it is warm roll it with your hands to form a nice dough.
- Cover it with a damp cloth.
To make poornam:
- Add the coconut, jaggery, and ghee in the pan and stir it continuously.
- After 2-3 minutes this will form a thick mixture.
- If you feel that this is slightly loose, just add 1 tsp of rice flour to this and mix well.
- Add cardamom powder and mix well. Switch off the flame.
- When it is cool make it into small balls.
- Make the dough into lemon sized balls.
- Take a dough ball.
- With your fingers make a small cup out of it and place the poornam.
- Close this and make it into a modak shape.
- Do the same for the rest of the dough.
- Grease an idli pan, and place the kozhukattais/modakams in this and steam it for 10 minutes on medium flame.
- When it is done allow it to cool for 2 minutes. Otherwise it will break if you take it when it is hot.
- Kozhukattais are ready for neivedhyam.