Kerala Style Puttu Recipe, Kerala Style Steamed Rice Cake

1. In a bowl, mix together the rice flour and salt.
2. Sprinkle warm water into it little by little; Mix it using your hands, till the powder becomes moist and crumbly, without any lumps.
3. Add half of the grated coconut into it and mix well. Set aside for 10 minutes.
4. Pour water in the bottom vessel of the Puttu Maker(Puttu Kudam) till two third's full.
5. Place the round perforated disc inside the puttu mould(cylindrical mould).Make sure that it fits well at the bottom of the mould. Place puttu mould(cylindrical mould) over the bottom vessel and boil the water for 4-5 minutes.
6. Then take the puttu mould from the bottom vessel, put one tablespoon of grated coconut in the puttu mould, then put the rice mixture till half of the mould, then add another tablespoon of grated coconut.
7. Again put the rice mixture and finish with final layer of grated coconut on the top. Gently press on the top.
8. Close the puttu mould with lid, place it over the bottom vessel and cook till you see the steam escaping through the holes of the lid.
9. Once you saw the steam, lower the flame and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
10. Remove the puttu mould, open the lid, gently push the puttu to a plate by pushing the perforated disc at the bottom of the puttu mould using a long stick or a wooden ladle .
11. Serve hot with papad or kadala curry or banana

Notes :

• If too much of lumps is formed in flour mix, add the flour mixture in your blender/food processor and pulse it for 1-2 times.
• How to make Puttu Podi?
  • Soak 500 grams of raw rice(pachari) for about 4-6 hours. Drain the water completely and dry the soaked rice in a cool place.
  • Once it is dried completely, grind it to a coarse powder( not to be a fine powder).
  • Heat a wide pan, add in the rice powder, stir continuously for 3-4 minutes or until you get a nice roasted smell on low-medium heat. remove from heat and let it cool completely.