Manda Pitha Recipe (Odiya Style Modak)

Manda Pitha is an Odiya-style Modak and is a traditional Indian sweet of Odisha that is made during the puja or the festival season. The Odia Modak is a delicious sweet dish that is made with coconut and flavored with cardamom. Serve Manda Pitha Recipe (Oriya Style Modak) with Oriya Kakharu Phula Bhaja Recipe (Pumpkin Flower Fritters) and Pheki Mathri Recipe (Crispy Fried Savoury Fritters) for evening snack-time. Course : Dessert Ingridients : Ingredients For the Dough 500 grams Whole Wheat Flour 250 grams All Purpose Flour (Maida) 1 pinch Salt 2 tablespoons Oil , (hot) Ingredients for the filling 1 cup Fresh coconut , grated 1 teaspoon Sugar , (adjust) 1/2 teaspoon Cardamom Powder (Elaichi) 2 Cloves (Laung) , powdered Oil , for deep frying Ingredients for Sugar Syrup 1 cup Sugar 1 cup Water Instructions To prepare the dough for Manda Pitha | Odia-style Modak, in a medium sized bowl, add in the wheat flour, refined flour and salt. Add the hot oil to the flour and mix together all the ingredients. Then add in the water a little at a time and knead the dough till becomes firm and soft. Keep the dough covered aside for a while, to rest.Meanwhile in another bowl, prepare the coconut stuffing. In a heavy bottomed pan; add in the coconut and sugar. Turn the heat to low and stir continuously until the sugar melts and caramelizes the coconut.Keep stirring on low heat until the mixture comes together with almost all the moisture evaporated. Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool.Once cooled add in the cardamom powder and stir to combine well into the coconut mixture.  Divide the prepare dough into lemon sized portions. With oiled hands, flatten the dough portions with the palm of your hand. Place the small portion of coconut in the center. Bring the ends together and seal the filled dough. Proceed the same way with the remaining portions of the dough and filling. Heat oil for deep frying on medium heat; , add in a few filled modak's at a time into the preheated oil and deep fry turning it continuously so that it is evenly cooked and has a deep golden brown colour. Once done, drain the excess oil and keep aside. Continue to fry the remaining Modak's.For the sugar syrup, heat a bowl of sugar and an equal amount of water, and let it simmer for a while until the sugar melts.Once the sugar melts in the water, and is simmering for about 4 to 5 minutes you will notice that it begins to thicken.When you notice that white bubbles are formed, turn off the heat. Dip the fried dough modak's in the syrup one by one, and place them in a plate.Your crunchy Manda Pitha | Odia-style Modak is ready to be served. Serve Manda Pitha Recipe (Oriya Style Modak) with Oriya Kakharu Phula Bhaja Recipe (Pumpkin Flower Fritters) and Pheki Mathri Recipe (Crispy Fried Savoury Fritters) for evening snack-time.