Step 1
Prepare paan filling: Finely chop the paan leaves. Mix them with gulkand, coconut, tutti frutti, fennel seeds and chopped nuts. Keep aside.
Step 2
Cook the mawa: Heat ghee in a non-stick pan. Add mawa and cook on low flame for 3–4 minutes, stirring continuously.
Step 3
Add milk powder and fresh cream. Mix well and cook until the mixture comes together and starts leaving the sides of the pan.
Step 4
Switch off the flame and let it cool slightly.
Step 5
Add powdered sugar, cardamom powder, rose essence and optional green colour. Mix thoroughly.
Step 6
Take about 1½ tbsp mawa mixture, flatten it in your palm and place ½ tsp paan filling in the centre.
Step 7
Bring the edges together and roll gently to seal.
Step 8
Grease a modak mould lightly with ghee. Fill it with the mixture and press firmly.
Step 9
Demould carefully and garnish with chopped pistachios, rose petals or a tiny piece of paan leaf.