Dig into some diet-friendly modaks this Ganeshotsav

Ganesh Chaturthi is just around the corner, and households across the country begin to prepare modaks in different styles and flavours. Want to dig into your favourite modak but are worried about those calories? Fret not; we’ve got you covered. We bring you lip-smacking, healthy and easy-to-make modaks that you can relish, no matter what diet you’re on. Dig in...

PALEO DIET (No grains, dairy or refined sugar)

Modak variations: Cashew caramel modak, rose butterscotch modak, kesar modak, chocolate modak

If you are on a paleo diet, try the rose butterscotch and cashew caramel modaks this time, recommends baker and nutritionist Simran Bapu. “Since paleo diet means avoiding grains, dairy and refined sugar, we try to curate recipes which are made from nut flour, like almond flour, and natural sweeteners, like coconut sugar or maple syrup. Nut milk is used in the preparation too,” says Simran, adding, “Rose butterscotch modaks have a dense filling of almond flour, rose water, butterscotch essence, rose petals, coconut sugar, and almond milk. The mixture is then rolled in a fine powder of butterscotch.” Elaborating on the cashew caramel variant, she adds, “It is made with a gooey filling of cashew paste, cashew flour, almonds, and homemade caramel made using coconut sugar. We use cashew milk sweetened with stevia. Lastly, the filling is covered with vegan white chocolate.”

KETO DIET (No carbs, no protein)

Modak variations: Kesar pista modak, badam-pista modak, dark chocolate almond modak

Modak options for people on a keto diet are no less tempting than the regular options. Chef and bakery owner Amit Jha picks almond-pistachio modaks and dark chocolate almond modaks as preferred options. He adds, “Chocolate almond modak is prepared by combining almond flour, chocolate and roasted nuts. Plus, erythritol and stevia (sweeteners) are used in equal proportion together. To make the badam-pista variant, we use equal quantities of almond and pistachio powder. Add coconut powder and sweetener, and mix them. Garnish with chopped pistachios and saffron strands.”

VEGAN DIET (Dairy-free)

Modak variations: Sugar-free banana date modak, raw brownie modak, strawberry rose kesar modak

Reena Rana, a home chef, suggests easy-to-make raw brownie modaks with ingredients readily available at home. “Take walnuts (3 tsp), almonds (3tsp), chia seeds (1 tsp), dates (250 gms) and unsweetened cocoa powder (1 spoon). Roast almonds, walnuts and chia seeds on a low flame. Add the roasted ingredients to the dates and cocoa powder. Mix well and mould into a modak. Even people who are on a pegan diet (paleo and vegan) can savour these,” she says. If you want to make a vegan version of steamed modaks, simply replace ghee with cold-pressed oil. “To make it even more delicious, try adding gulkand to the traditional coconut-jaggery filling,” adds Reena.

GLUTEN FREE DIET (No ingredients that contain the protein gluten)

Modak variations: Kesar mawa modak, walnut and jaggery modak, oat jaggery modak

The authentic ukadiche modak (steamed modak) is gluten-free. However, there are other options that you can try too. Archana Vanmore, a nutritionist and home chef, shares, “To give a healthier twist to the ukadiche modak, try adding beetroot puree and tossed flax seeds to the rice flour. You can also opt for walnut-jaggery modaks. All you need is some walnuts and organic black jaggery. You don’t need to add ghee or any other oil. Both versions are also ideal for people on a satvic diet.”