What is the significance of a modak

A modak is basically a dumpling with a stuffing inside. It is generally steamed, though some people fry it too. The modak’s outer covering is called paari and it is made from rice flour only. The inner stuffing is called saran. 

 While traditional modaks have only a sweet filling of jaggery and coconut, over time this has evolved into a wide variety. There are modaks with raisins and dates, modaks with figs, etc. 

Joshi wadewale review

On our way back to Pune to board the Indrayani Express train to Mumbai, we halted for lunch at an outlet called simply 'Joshi Wadewale'. The term wadewale refers to one who makes wadas, these being the name synonymous with one of Maharashtra’s most famous street food: wada-pav. This street food is a simple combination of potatoes coated with gram flour (besan) & deep fried, then squashed in the middle of a loaf of bread (pav) slathered with spicy chutney with a green chilly popped in sometimes. The Joshi Wadewale outlet, though, is not a street side cart or food stall.

Dining at Dala Rooster homestay Panchgani

The food served at Dala Rooster is wholesome and tasty. You can have  traditional Maharashtrian cuisine or western-type food. Breakfast items are fixed – upma, poha, sabudana khichdi etc. You can also have bread/oats & butter and ask for egg omlettes to be served. At tea time there are no snacks, just Glucon-D biscuits. 

How to make simple Til Ladoos Recipe for Makar Sankranti Festival

तिल्गुल  घ्या, गोड  गोड  बोला! 

You will hear this warm greeting when visiting a Maharashtrian home during the Festival of Makar Sankranti. It literally means "Eat tilgul, speak sweetly!" Tilgul is a sweet which is made up of sesame seeds (called til) and sweetened with jaggery. Small packets of tilgul are often exchanged between families during Makar Sankranti. Find out the reason why here

Tilgul packet

What is Makar Sankranti?
See on the link below for more details of Makar Sankranti Festival Significance and Features:
Makar Sankranti Festival of India

Simple and Easy Til Ladoo Recipe

Ingredients for making Til Ladoos: 2 cups til (sesame seeds); 1 cup peanuts; 2 or 21/2 cups jaggery (called gud).

Til (Sesame Seeds )

Peanuts

Step by Step Method to make Til Ladoos 

Step 1: On a low flame dry roast the sesame seeds (do not put oil). Dry roast means pushing around the til in the pan - don't step away from the gas even for a second, otherwise the seeds will be nicely burned not roasted! Once roasted, keep aside to cool down.

Step 2: Separately dry roast the peanuts and remove the skin after they have cooled down.

Step 3: Using a grater, grate the jaggery. 

Step 4: Put the roasted sesame seeds in a mixer and dry grind to a powder.

Step 5: Put the roasted peanuts in the mixer and also dry grind to a powder.

(It is always best to grind the sesame seeds and the peanuts separately as the peanuts are larger and may require more grinding time than the sesame seeds. If you grind the two together, it is possible that the peanuts will not become as powdery as desired).

Step 6: Now mix the 2 powders of the sesame seeds and peanuts along with the grated jaggery. Grind the combined mixture together in the mixer.
Step 7: Transfer to a bowl and make small balls from the mixture. You can also coat them with a few roasted sesame seeds while making. If you wish, you can slightly grease your palms with a little groundnut oil, but it is not necessary since when grinding the combined mixture it is likely to be a bit sticky with a little oil base to it. 

Voila! Your til ladoos are ready! Just remember to store them in an airtight steel container so that they remain fresh for up to 2 weeks.

Note: Most people generally boil the jaggery in water to make a syrup, then add a little ghee and then add the roasted sesame seeds and peanuts.

Let me know if you found this simple recipe for til ladoos useful!

Top 10 Traditional Diwali Faral Foods and How to Prepare Them

Diwali faral is the term used for a variety of savoury snacks which are traditionally made at home and eaten during the 5 days of Diwali & also served to guests. It is often the tradition, too, to give a packet of mixed Diwali faral when visiting the homes of relatives and friends to wish them on the occasion of Diwali.