PHYLLO PASTRY MODAK

Ingredients:

■ 4 phyllo pastry sheets, 100gm melted butter

For the filling:

■ 200gm desiccated coconut, 100gm jaggery, ½ tsp cardamom powder, 50gm finely chopped mixed nuts, 2 drops rose essence (optional)

For the sugar syrup:

■ 150gm sugar, 75ml water

Method:

For the filling:

■ In a non-stick pan, cook desiccated coconut and jaggery till the jaggery melts and the mixture starts drying.

■ Add nuts and cardamom powder, and cook for a while.

■ Remove from heat and add essence (optional).

■ For the sugar syrup, in a sauce pan heat sugar and water till the sugar completely melts. Assembling:

■ Take a phyllo sheet and spread melted butter over the sheet. Place another phyllo sheet over the first one and repeat the process till the fourth sheet. Cut the sheet in a circle using a cookie

cutter.

■ Place some of the filling in the centre and pinch the sides of the phyllo pastry clock wise till it comes together and looks like a modak.

■ Butter the sides of a cupcake mould and place the modak inside it.

■ Bake it at 180 degree Celsius for about 15 minutes or till the modaks are golden brown.

■ Once baked, brush some sugar syrup on it.

-Deeksha Shetty, Patisserie Chef & Founder, Cocoamaya, Andheri (E)