Puttu and green gram gravy( Cherrupayar curry)

Puttu is a breakfast item of kerala and is also popular in some areas of Tamil nadu and Srilanka.It is a steamed rice cake layered with grated coconut.

It is a breakfast item that is cooked frequently in Kerala homes.Malayalees who migrate to other countries never fail to get a puttu kuti (puttu mould).

Puttu is mostly taken in combination with banana,green gram curry (cherupayar curry),Black chick pea curry (kadala curry) etc.. you can also try combinations of your choice.My husband has it even with chicken curry :-).In parts of cochin, puttu is had with beef stew and also with sweetened and cardomom flavoured coconut milk.

Here I have prepared puttu with green gram curry.....

Ingredients

Roasted Rice flour-1 cup

Water to moisten flour

Salt to taste

Coconut gratings as required.

Directions

Rub the rice flour with water mixed with salt to taste, till all the rice flour has been  moistened.(Do not add too much of water just sprinkle on it.)

Now blend it just for one turn in a blender.So that you do not get any lumps and the moisture is evenly absorbed across the rice flour.

Now take the puttu maker, spread some grated coconut at the bottom and add some of the moistened rice flour till half of its length ( do not stuff it too hard, just fill in ,and it will occupy itself) then sprinkle grated coconut again and repeat as before and fill with rice flour until the mouth of the puttu maker now again sprinkle grated coconut on top and cover it with it lid.(no too tight just place it above just to cover.)

Take some water in a pressure cooker and replace its weight with the puttu maker and wait until you see steam coming out of the holes of the puttu maker.Steam for about 5-8 minutes.Remove to a plate pushing it from behind with the stick.

Green gram curry

Green gram -1 cup

Green chilly-2 small nos slit into 2

Chilly powder- 1 tsp

Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp to cook green gram+1/2 tsp while preparing the curry

Pepper powder- 1/2 tsp

Onions big or baby onions-if baby onions are taken then 5 nos else 1 medium sized onion

Curry leaves few

Oil

Salt to taste

Directions

Soak green gram in water for 5-8 hours and wash it well.

Cook it with turmeric powder,green chillies and salt in a Pressure cooker with water enough to immerse.It takes about 8-9 whistles in my pressure cooker.

Take a pan ,add oil, fry chopped onions and when transparent add chilly powder, turmeric powder, pepper powder and curry leaves and fry for a minute.Now add the cooked green gram and mix well, add water if necessary, also check salt.Allow it to boil and remove to a serving plate.

Serve with puttu. This is an excellent combination.