Barnyard Millet Modak (with Coconut, Peanut and Sesame Filling)

Ingredients

• barnyard millet — 2 cups
• water (as required, says the source: boiled first, then the flour is stirred in until it turns to a dough; no source gives a measured amount for barnyard flour)
• salt (as required)
• grated coconut — 1/4 cup
• peanuts — 1/4 cup (coarsely ground)
• sesame seeds — 1/4 cup (coarsely ground)
• jaggery — 1/4 cup (powdered)
• cardamom — 1 tbsp (powdered)

Method

1. Soak the 2 cups of barnyard millet in water for an hour.
2. Drain it, let it dry, and grind it to a fine flour.
3. Bring water to the boil in a pan, tip in the flour and salt, and keep stirring until the mixture comes together as a dough.
4. For the filling, mix the coconut, peanuts, sesame, jaggery and cardamom in a bowl.
5. Take a little dough and form it into a modak shell, either in a mould or by flattening it with your fingers. Fill it and pinch the edges closed.
6. Steam the modaks for 10 to 15 minutes and serve them straight away.