Puttu is one of my favorite comfort food after idli/sambar. I make this at least 2-3 times a month. It is a staple breakfast in Kerala along with a cup of tea.
Knowing that its my favorite, my mom had bought some different varieties of ready made Puttu flour form India. Double Horse brand has a wide variety like corn, ragi and health mix puttu flour which makes puttu making very easy.
I dont know if we can use corn meal as a substitute.
Ingredients
For Puttu:
2 or 3 cups Corn puttu flour
1 cup fresh grated coconut
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
water to moisten the puttu
Preparation
In a bowl toss in puttu flour, add salt and sugar (for softness). Sprinkle Luke warm water so as to moisten the flour. Keep mixing the flour and water to make sure no lumps are formed and the mix should remain in the form of flour. To know if you have added enough water to the flour, take some flour in your hand to make a fist and see if the flour holds together. This means the mix is ready to get steamed. Keep this mix aside for about 10 minutes.
In a puttu maker fill 2-3 tbsp fresh grated coconut and top it with flour and make layers as seen in the picture.
Steam cook by placing the Puttu maker above a pressure cooker which has 4-5 cups of water in it. Cook for about 10 minutes or until steam appears above the puttu maker.
Kadala curry ( Chickpea gravy)
Ingredients
1 cup black (kala) chana/chickpea soaked and pressure cooked with 1tsp salt
1 cup chopped onions
1 cup chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp Chana masala powder or (1tsp coriander powder)
1/2 tsp chili powder
2 tbsp dry/dessicated coconut powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1tsp ginger-garlic paste
3-4 tbsp oil
1/3 tsp mustard seeds
handful of curry leaves
1-2 green chillies
salt to taste
Preparation
In a deep bottomed pan, add oil. On a medium heat, add mustard seeds, allow it to splutter. To this add ginger-garlic paste, curry leaves and green chillies. Also add onions and cook till soft. Add tomato, salt, Chana masala, chili powder, turmeric powder, coconut powder and cook till soft. The mixture reaches a thick semi-gravy consistency. A little water from the pressure cooked chickpea can be added to the mixture to cook well. Now add the cooked chickpea(kadala) to this mixture.
Let it cook for about 10 minutes on medium-low heat. Delicious Kadala curry is ready to go with steamed puttu. A very satisfying meal to the tummy and soul:)
This is my contribution to Cooking for Kids Event- Corn last date-Jan 5th. This being a very healthy meal. Puttu can also be served with banana and sugar for kids.
I also announce the Ingredient for the month of January- Its Milk and milk products. You can use paneer(Indian cheese), any other cheese, yogurt and cream
Milk being good for kids milk contains significant amounts of Saturated fat, Protein, Calcium as well as Vitamin C.
The last date for submission of entries is Feb-5th. Will get back to you soon with the corn- roundup!!
I am sending this to JFI- Chickpea by Sometime Foodie.
This also goes to FIC-Yellow by Sunshinemom and My Legume Love Affair by Srivalli.
Susan is the brain child of My Legume Love Affair event.
