Sunday 7 April 2013

Chiratta Puttu | Puttu | Pittu | Steamed Indian Rice Cake

Steamed Rice flour with coconut fillings in coconut shell



Chiratta Puttu. Wondering what?? It's none other than the traditional Kerala breakfast prepared in the very traditional way. Both me & Deeps go gaga over puttu. But we do not have the required apparatus (puttu kutti) here for preparing it. But that did not stop us from preparing and relishing it.. Yes, Deeps found the way. Infact amma (mil) used to prepare puttu using chiratta (coconut shell) it seems. And he says that it is more tastier than the ones prepared using the puttu maker. And so with this new found way, puttu is now a regular in our weekend menu happy



There are also several other ways to prepare and relish this dish. If you can't get hold of a coconut shell or puttu maker then also it's fine. Prepare the rice flour and you can double boil it till done (My mom use this way at times). Or use idly plates to place the prepared flour & steam in pressure cooker (I have never tried this, but have read about it). And as to serving, it can be enjoyed with Banana, sugar & pappad | Milk & sugar | Cherupayar (green gram) curry | Kadala (Chick peas) curry | Chicken gravy | Beef curry | Sambar. Ohh yes, I have tried all these combinations winking And Yet to be tried one is the stuffed egg masala puttu. Maybe, some other day batting eyelashes 


Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes


Yields: 5 nos


I Used:

Rice Flour/Puttu Flour - 2 cups
Grated coconut - ¼ cup
Salt  - As needed
Water - As needed
Coconut Husk - 2 halves



The Way:

  1. In a pan roast the rice flour on low flame for about 5-6 minutes. Stir continuously to avoid over roasting or burning
    • Home made rice flour or store bought rice flour can be used
    • For home made ones, 
      • Soak rice in water for 2-3 hours 
      • Drain off the water and dry the rice by spreading it over a large towel or white cloth
      • Once dried, grind to a coarse powder
      • Roast this flour as mentioned above. You can use this immediately for making puttu or idiyappam or store it away in air tight containers for further use
    • Store bought ones can also be roasted and stored away for future use
  2. If using store bought puttu powder, skip the first step
  3. Take the flour/powder in a bowl. Add salt and mix
  4. Sprinkle water over the powder and mix till it becomes moist or rather wet 
    • Do not add the entire water together. This would make the mixture into a dough form which is not what is required
    • It should be of a crumby consistency as in the pic
    • For beginners, it is better to use a large plate rather than a bowl. Take a little quantity of powder, sprinkle water & mix. Once that portion is ready keep that at one corner of the plate and start working on a new portion till the entire powder is done (Mom taught me this way :))
    • To check if it's done, take a fistful of the prepared flour. If it clings together & the flour doesn't fall off, then it is done (Mom's tip)
    • It took me around two third glass of water for 2 cups of flour
  1. Take one half of the coconut shell. Drill a hole through one eye using knife 
  2. If using the shell for the first time, you can soak it in water overnight so that it becomes soft (strictly optional)
  3. Place little grated coconut in the coconut shell. Add the prepared flour on top of it. Cover it off with another layer of grated coconut

  1. Take 2 glasses of water in the pressure cooker. Close it with the gasket on and leave it on medium flame
  2. Once steam starts coming off from the whistle (where we place the lid) of the pressure cooker, place the coconut shell on the pressure cooker as shown in the pic
  3. Steam the puttu for 10-12 minutes on medium flame
  1. Remove it from the flame and place the shell inverted onto a plate. Wait for 2 minutes. Then remove the puttu from the shell by giving it a gentle tap

Notes:


I used stored bought chemba rice puttu powder

Cheers,
Chitz

68 comments:

  1. Super dear, very nice. I have heard about making puttu in coconut shell, but didn't exactly know the procedure. very nicely explained.Yummy,mouthwatering and delicious. Puttu is my all time favorite.
    Thanks for sharing. I will try this for sure...
    Nice clicks..

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    Replies
    1. Thanks dear.. Try this and let me know :)

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  2. You actually make it seem really easy with your presentation however I find this topic to be really one thing which I believe
    I'd never understand. It sort of feels too complicated and very extensive for me. I am looking ahead for your next post, I will attempt to get the hang of it!

    Also visit my page Lemon cupcakes

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    Replies
    1. It looks complicated, but once u attempt it, U wud know that it's as easy as baking a cake !! Try soon :)

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  3. I love puttu.. Well explained and nice pictures..

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  4. looks very delicious,yummy with kadala curry :)

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  5. Great idea:) u rocking with posts dear

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  6. I always loved puttu but we never make it at home! This version of putting it in a coconut shell seems to be pretty cute. But does not the pressure from the steam, push out the coconut shell? I am paranoid!\



    Shobha

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    Replies
    1. Nopes dear, not at all !! Go ahead & try.. Shell is pretty strong to withstand that steam :)

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  7. This is so new to me...I dig traditional food and am sure this is healthy and delicious

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  8. This is a great way to make puttu....what a technique...

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  9. Puttu and kadala are match made in heaven...Love it...also like this version of making it in a chiratta.

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  10. Wow! This is new to me! I will definitely try this out! Looks delicious! :)
    http://www.rita-bose-cooking.com/

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    1. Thanks dear.. Let me know how it came out :)

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  11. Puttu looks absolutely perfect with that curry.... really tempting picture!

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  12. puttu with kadalai curry is one of my fav..but making puttu in coconut shell is new to me..want to try it sometime...

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  13. What more to ask for ? Simply nostalgic and filling breakfast..

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  14. i've never tried making puttu with chiratta... nice explanation... should try... btw, puttu with anything can make a malayali tummy happy... i will soon try to post how we make puttu powder at home, much better than store bought... :)

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    1. Yup. Rightly said Rafee !! And waiting for ur post dear :)

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  15. looks really yummy, can i have some???

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  16. We always used to make puttu in chirattas back at home. However, my mom's mom had a puttu kutti. When I was a child, I favoured the latter (Probably has something to do with how I adored her cooking;)). Now, I'm all for the chiratta puttu version :) Love how they have turned out so perfect for you Chitra :)

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    Replies
    1. Hehe.. yea.. We all have our childhood sweet memories & we do hold on to something wonderful there :) And thanks dear.. Try out this when the climate treats u well :)

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  17. New dish for me and I am simply in love with the way you innovated the way to make it..very neat thinking!!

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  18. Authentic Kerala dish, love the way u prepared it with coconut shells..inviting dish.

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  19. Hey you know what, when I read the recipe name, I mistook "chira tta" for "chitra tta", I seriously thought you named this puttu after you, HaHa!!
    And then realized chiratta is coconut shell!!
    I love puttu! Kerala's kadala curry and puttu is a staple right! Traditional and always drool worthy. Your puttu looks perfect and I especially liked the shot with banana nearby, here in Bangalore, we are not getting plain yellow banana, don't freak out!! - what I meant was, black lines or dot all over banana is what we get here, HaHa ;-)

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    1. Lol.. Oh ho no.. I would never do that for sure mam :)
      Haha.. Clean bananas.. Ok.. I understand.. But see, grass is always greener on the other side right?? I miss ethapazhaym from der :)

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  20. I admire you for making such delicious traditional recipes. Reminds me of my growing years whereby mummy used to make such for breakfast. Nice and looking at the pictures is very tempting and how I wish I can dig in.

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  21. I love puttu and missed making it,because of not having a puttu kutti. Next time I get hold of a chiratta I'm making it:)thanks for the step by step procedure :)

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    1. Thanks a lot Reni :) Try it and u wud be pleased !!

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  22. Super cool idea. Puttu looks lovely

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  23. Chitz iyoo eniku ipoo puttu venam ,...

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  24. puttu looks wonderful deliciously presented

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  25. yum yum...i make them the same way...my mom has 4 cherata's that she is been using years..

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  26. Gawd !! This seem so difficult to prepare.. a very unique recipe though


    very good collection of recipes, glad to follow you :)

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    1. Thanks dear :) Just looks difficult.. Once u get the hang of it, its easy :)

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  27. deliicous n ncie step wise cliks.helps really.
    MAha

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  28. Very different and delicious..looks lovely!

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  29. Putu......I need one kana.....reminds me that I have to make it soon one day as you have tempted me Chitz so much.

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  30. Mouth Watering!!!
    http://kiransaboo.blogspot.in/

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  31. Oooh! Here is the puttu for Kadala Curry. Very very .......What should I say? It just makes me hungry

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  32. That's indeed a very clever thing to do. Kudos to your effort, guys. I used cheese cloth for making idlies once, so I know exactly...how you must have felt. :) Great job with puttu, it looks incredible. :)

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    1. Yup.. I will be very happy when I make this Malar :) And thanks a lot for ur kind words :)

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  33. HI Chitz this is something very new to me. Using coconut shell to steam the puttu. Wonderful. I love puttu. I think u have used red rice flour, which is very common in our country too.
    Lovely presentation.

    Thanks for stopping by my space dear.

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    1. Thanks Dhanish :) Yup, its red rice & wheat flour..

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  34. It looks so nice and innovative, I love its preparation method. Wud love to try it.
    Do visit aathidhyam sometime Chitz
    http://aathidhyam.blogspot.in

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Thank you for stopping by !! I am really happy that you take time to let me know how you feel :-)