5 Easy Ganesh Festival Recipes

We have prepared a list of five easy Ganesh recipes to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, the birth of Lord Ganesha the Hindu Elephant God. What better way than to prepare the special, traditional foods that are worthy of being offered to him? Ganesha (and your family) will enjoy these easy recipes.

Modak

These sweet, steamed dumplings, were Lord Ganesha's favorite desert. No wonder! Once you make the basic modak, you can add an infinite variety of embellishments to suit your own taste.

Ingredients for the filling:

• 2 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (suit yourself about what kind.)
• 1/2 cup Milk
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

1. Mix the coconut, milk and sugar together and cook on a medium flame.
2. Stir until they are mixed thoroughly.
3. When the mixture starts to caramelize and bubble, add the nuts.
4. Cook for another minute.
5. Add the cinnamon. Mix well. Let it cool. Set aside.

Ingredients for the dumpling:

• 1 cup rice flour
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon hydrogenated vegetable oil (oleo)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Boil one cup of water.
2. When it has reached a steady boil add oleo, salt and rice flour.
3. Cover with a lid removing frequently to stir.
4. While the dough is still slightly warm, grease your palms.
5. Pinch off a bit of dough. Flatten the dough to form a cup shape. 
6. Place about  3/4 teaspoon filling into this cup.
7. Enclose the filling by pinching the edges of the cup up into a peak which should look like a Hersey's Kiss. 
8. Place the modaks on a pre-greased plate and steam them for about fifteen minutes. You are done.

Almond Nankhata

This is a cookie very similar to a pecan sandy—except with almonds.

Ingredients:

• 3 1/3 cups plain flour
• 3/4 cup almonds, coarsely ground
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 cups hydrogenated vegetable oil (oleo)
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 cup almond bits or halves
• 1-2 tbsp. warm milk

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Grease cookie sheet if it is not non stick.
3. Sift together Flour and baking powder.
4. In another bowl add sugar to the vegetable oil and mix until light.
5. Fold in flour, ground almonds till well mixed.
6. Stir in milk if dough won't hold together. Otherwise leave the mixture as dry as possible.
7. Shape into cookies on baking sheet.
8. Bake seven or eight minutes or until done. Cool on wire rake. Enjoy.

Apple Raisin Rabdi

Ingredients:

• 3 Apples, peeled and grated
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1 quart Milk
• 4 tbsp Sugar
• 1/4 tsp Cinnamon
• 8-10 Almonds sliced
• 5-6 Pistachios sliced

1. Pour milk into a large bowl and bring to boil.
2. Reduce heat and let simmer until reduced to half the original quantity.
3. Add sugar and cook on low heat, stirring constantly.
4. Add the grated apples and raisins to reduced milk and mix. Cook for three to four minutes. Add cinnamon almonds and pistachios
5. Pour into a serving dish. Apple Rabdi is ready.

Besan Loddoo

Besan is a flour made from Chickpeas. Nutritionally it is far better for you than plain flour. You may substitute plain flour, but if at all possible use Besan.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups Besan
• 2 cups Powdered Sugar
• 2 cups hydrogenated vegetable oil (oleo)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 4-6 Drops Saffron Color

1. Mix the sugar and saffron coloring. Set aside.
2. Melt oleo in a pan. Fold in and cook the besan over low flame.
3. Stir constantly till the besan turns brown.
4. Mix in the cinnamon and stir again.
5. Remove from heat and pour into a bowl.
6. Let it cool slightly and mix in powdered sugar.
7. Shape the dough into "donut holes". It's ready!

Raisin Chikka

Hydrogenated Vegetable oil (oleo) is a common American substitute for Ghee (the liquid part of butter). If you can't find Ghee, oleo works very well.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Cashews
• 1 cup Almonds
• 1 cup Raisins
• 1/4 cup Sugar
• 2 tsp Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (oleo)
• Saffron soaked in milk

1. Melt oleo in pan.
2. Add sugar and mix well to form fine paste.
3. Add cashews, almonds, saffron, raisins and mix well.
4. Grease a cookie sheet with the oleo and pour mixture onto it.
5. Let cool and cut into squares. Serve.