Vegetable Puttu (Steamed Rice Cakes)
A traditional South Indian dish, Vegetable Puttu are steamed rice cakes filled with a flavorful mixture of vegetables and spices, served with a dollop of coconut and a sprinkle of gunpowder.
4.4 / 5 (908)
Ingredients
For the puttu mixture
- rice flour
2 cups
- grated coconut
1 cup
- salt
a pinch
For the vegetable filling
- carrots
2 medium-sized
- green beans
1 cup
- peas
1 cup
For the spice blend
- cumin seeds
1 teaspoon
- coriander seeds
1 teaspoon
- turmeric powder
0.5 teaspoon
Instructions
- 1
Combine the rice flour, grated coconut, and salt in a bowl and mix well.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the rice flour, grated coconut, and salt. Mix well until the ingredients are evenly distributed. The rice flour should be fresh and of good quality to ensure the puttu turns out light and fluffy.
- 2
Gradually add water to the mixture and knead until it forms a soft dough.
Gradually add water to the mixture and knead until it forms a soft, pliable dough. Be careful not to add too much water, as this can make the dough too sticky and difficult to work with. The dough should be smooth and even, with no lumps or dry spots.
- 3
Divide the dough into small portions and shape each portion into a cylindrical shape.
Divide the dough into small portions, about the size of a small ball. Shape each portion into a cylindrical shape, applying gentle pressure to ensure the dough holds its shape. This will help the puttu cook evenly and prevent it from breaking apart during steaming.
- 4
Prepare the vegetable filling by sautéing the carrots, green beans, and peas in a little oil until they are tender.
Heat a little oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped carrots, green beans, and peas, and sauté until they are tender and lightly browned. This will bring out the natural sweetness of the vegetables and add depth to the filling. Be careful not to overcook the vegetables, as this can make them mushy and unappetizing.
- 5
Add the spice blend to the vegetable filling and stir well.
Add the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and turmeric powder to the vegetable filling, and stir well to combine. This will add a warm, aromatic flavor to the filling and complement the natural sweetness of the vegetables.
- 6
Assemble the puttu by placing a portion of the dough into a puttu steamer, followed by a spoonful of the vegetable filling.
Assemble the puttu by placing a portion of the dough into a puttu steamer, followed by a spoonful of the vegetable filling. Repeat this process until all the ingredients are used up, finishing with a layer of dough on top. This will help the puttu cook evenly and prevent the filling from escaping during steaming.
- 7
Steam the puttu for 10-15 minutes, or until it is cooked through and fluffy.
Place the puttu steamer over boiling water, cover with a lid, and steam for 10-15 minutes, or until the puttu is cooked through and fluffy. The puttu should be light and airy, with a delicate texture that is both firm and yielding. Be careful not to overcook the puttu, as this can make it dry and crumbly.
Ratings & Reviews
User Ratings
5
517
4
261
3
100
2
28
1
2
Reviews
SorenSax### A Deliciously Traditional South Indian Delight with a Healthy Twist I must say, I was thoroughly impressed by the Vegetable Puttu recipe. As someone who's trying to reduce their meat consumption, I appreciated the creative use of vegetables and spices to create a flavorful filling. The addition of turmeric powder and cumin seeds gave it a lovely warmth and depth. I paired it with a cold craft beer, which complemented the dish perfectly. While I'm a traditionalist at heart, I enjoyed the twist on a classic South Indian dish. The steamed rice cakes were light and fluffy, and the coconut added a nice touch of sweetness. I was a bit skeptical about the lack of meat, but I was pleasantly surprised by how satisfying it was. My only concern is that I had to get creative with the ingredients due to my nut allergy - no grated coconut for me, sadly! But I managed to find a suitable substitute, and it still turned out great. Overall, I'd highly recommend this recipe to anyone looking for a healthy and delicious meal that's steeped in tradition. Just be prepared to get a little steamy in the kitchen! **P.S. If you're a fan of smørrebrød, you might enjoy the similar texture of the steamed rice cakes. And if you're a music lover like myself, you might appreciate the rhythmic sizzle of the vegetables as they cook.**
marenjensen90I was excited to try this Vegetable Puttu recipe, and overall, I'm glad I did. The combination of steamed rice cakes with a flavorful vegetable filling sounded intriguing. The instructions were clear, and I appreciated the attention to detail, such as using fresh rice flour and not overcooking the vegetables. However, I did find the recipe a bit too... gentle. I mean, who needs to be told not to add too much water to the dough? Can't we just assume that? Still, I suppose it's better to be safe than sorry. The end result was delicious, if a bit bland for my taste. Next time, I'd add some extra spices to give it a bit more oomph. One thing to note: I had to be careful with the acidity level, as I mentioned I'm sensitive to it. The turmeric powder was fine, but I made sure to balance it out with some other ingredients. All in all, a solid 4 stars - I'd make it again, but with a few tweaks.
KaviJA Delightful South Indian Treat - **Vegetable Puttu, You Have My Heart!** I'm absolutely thrilled to have stumbled upon this recipe for Vegetable Puttu! As a mostly vegetarian, I was immediately drawn to the idea of steamed rice cakes filled with a flavorful mix of veggies and spices. The fact that it's a traditional South Indian dish only added to my excitement. The recipe itself was a breeze to follow, and I loved how it combined the simplicity of rice flour and coconut with the punch of cumin, coriander, and turmeric. The addition of carrots, green beans, and peas provided a lovely burst of color and texture. I was a bit worried about the preparation time, but 30-40 minutes flew by as I mixed, kneaded, and assembled the puttu. The end result was nothing short of magic - light, fluffy, and utterly delicious. I served it with a dollop of coconut and a sprinkle of gunpowder (which, let's be real, is just a fancy name for chili powder), and it was love at first bite! The only reason I didn't give it a full 5 stars is that I had to get creative with the spice levels to suit my taste buds. One thing to note for fellow foodies with nut allergies - this recipe is completely safe, which is a huge plus. I'd highly recommend Vegetable Puttu to anyone looking to spice up their meal routine. So, go ahead and give it a try - your taste buds will thank you!
Guenther_MI'm afraid Vegetable Puttu didn't quite align with my traditional German tastes. As a non-vegetarian, I found the dish to be lacking in protein and heartiness. While I appreciate the effort to create a flavorful vegetable filling, I couldn't help but crave the rich flavors of sausages or schnitzel. The use of coconut and spices was interesting, but not entirely to my liking. Perhaps with some modifications to include meat or a more substantial protein source, this dish could appeal to me. For now, I'll have to give it 2 stars.
KaiTech2001This Vegetable Puttu recipe seems like a interesting dish, but I'm not sure if I would like it. I'm not a vegetarian, so I prefer meat in my meals. I see that this recipe doesn't contain any meat, which might be a problem for me. The ingredients and steps look okay, I think. I like spicy food, but I'm not sure if this recipe is spicy enough for me. I also need to be careful with lactose, but I don't see any dairy products in this recipe. Overall, I would give this recipe 3 stars. I'm curious to try it, but I might need to add some meat to make it more appealing to me.
Leila_Hassan90### A Heartwarming and Delicious Traditional Dish I recently had the pleasure of trying the Vegetable Puttu recipe, and I must say it was a truly delightful experience. As someone who values food as a way to bring people together, I appreciate how this dish can be shared with loved ones and enjoyed in a communal setting. The combination of steamed rice cakes and flavorful vegetable filling was both satisfying and gentle on my stomach, which is important for me given my mild gluten intolerance. I also appreciate that the ingredients used are halal-friendly. What I enjoyed most about this recipe was the sense of community and tradition that came with making and eating it. The process of assembling the puttu and steaming it was almost meditative, and the end result was a delicious and comforting meal that felt like a warm hug. My only suggestion would be to consider adding some Middle Eastern-inspired spices or flavors to the recipe, as I often find that these elements add an extra layer of depth and richness to traditional dishes. Nevertheless, I would highly recommend this recipe to anyone looking for a new and exciting meal to share with others.
Kairos23I try Vegetable Puttu, it okay. I like spicy food, but this not very spicy. I add some chili flakes, make it better. I no like that it no have meat, but vegetables fresh and tasty. I like coconut on top, but I wish have yogurt or cheese, but I lactose intolerant, so I no try. Overall, it good, but I give 3 stars, need more meat and spice!
MadsTheGreat88Honestly, this Vegetable Puttu recipe seems like a lot of work for a dish that doesn't even contain any meat. As a carnivore, I prefer heartier, more substantial meals. The ingredients and steps seem traditional and authentic, but I just can't get excited about steamed rice cakes with vegetables. The fact that it's gluten-free is a plus, given my mild intolerance. However, I'd much rather be cooking up some flæskesteg or smørrebrød. Overall, this recipe doesn't really align with my tastes, but I can appreciate the cultural significance and technique involved.