Rice Puttu Recipe | Kerala Style Soft Rice Puttu
Introduction
Arisi Puttu is a traditional sweet recipe from Tamil Nadu made using rice flour, jaggery, and fresh coconut. This simple and healthy dish has been prepared in Tamil homes for many generations. The word “Arisi” means rice, and “Puttu” means steamed or crumbly food. This dish is known for its soft texture, sweet taste, and delicious coconut flavor.
Arisi Puttu is commonly prepared during festivals, pooja, and special occasions. It is also made as a healthy breakfast or evening snack. Since it is steamed, it is considered light and easy to digest. The combination of jaggery and coconut gives natural sweetness and rich taste.
This recipe is very popular in village areas and traditional Tamil households. It reminds many people of their childhood and grandmother’s cooking. The aroma of jaggery and coconut makes the dish very special and comforting.
Preparing Arisi Puttu at home is easy, and it requires only a few ingredients. It is a perfect recipe for beginners and traditional food lovers.
Traditional Importance
Arisi Puttu is one of the oldest traditional recipes of Tamil Nadu. In earlier days, people prepared rice flour at home by soaking, drying, and grinding raw rice. This homemade flour gave the best taste and texture.
This dish is prepared during festivals like Vinayagar Chaturthi, Navaratri, and Karthigai Deepam. It is offered to God as prasadam because it is pure and made with simple ingredients.
In many families, Arisi Puttu is also prepared during special occasions and family gatherings. It represents tradition, culture, and devotion.
Even today, many people prepare this recipe to keep their tradition alive and share it with the next generation.
Ingredients Required
To prepare Arisi Puttu, you need the following ingredients:
Raw rice – 1 cup
Jaggery – ¾ to 1 cup
Fresh grated coconut – ½ cup
Cardamom powder – ½ teaspoon
Salt – a pinch
Water – as required
You can also add ghee and cashews for extra taste.
Using fresh coconut and pure jaggery gives the best flavor.
Preparation of Rice Flour at Home
To make authentic Arisi Puttu, homemade rice flour is recommended. First, wash the raw rice properly. Soak the rice in water for about 2 hours. After soaking, drain the water completely.
Spread the rice on a cloth and allow it to dry in shade. Do not dry completely. It should be slightly moist.
Grind the rice into coarse flour. Do not grind into very fine powder. Sieve if needed.
This homemade flour gives soft and crumbly texture.
You can also use store-bought rice flour if homemade flour is not available.
Roasting the Rice Flour
- Take the rice flour in a pan and roast it in low flame. Stir continuously to avoid burning.
- Roasting removes raw smell and improves taste.
- Do not change the color of the flour.
- Roast for about 5 minutes.
- Switch off flame and cool the flour.
Preparing the Puttu Flour Texture
- Take roasted rice flour in a bowl. Add a pinch of salt.
- Sprinkle water slowly and mix.
- The flour should be moist but not sticky.
- When you press the flour, it should hold shape and break easily.
- This texture is very important.
- Do not add too much water.
Steaming the Flour
- Place the moist flour in a steamer.
Homemade arisi puttu - Steam for about 10 minutes.
- After steaming, cool the flour.
- Break the lumps gently using hands.
- Now the flour becomes soft and ready.
- Steaming makes the puttu soft and delicious.
Preparing the Jaggery Syrup
- Take jaggery in a pan and add little water.
- Heat until jaggery melts.
- Filter to remove impurities.
- Heat again for few minutes.
- Add cardamom powder.
- Switch off flame.
- Your jaggery syrup is ready.
Mixing and Final Preparation
- Take the steamed rice flour in a bowl.
- Add jaggery syrup slowly.
- Mix well using spoon.
- Add grated coconut.
- Mix gently.
- Do not mash too much.
- Now the delicious Arisi Puttu is ready.
- You can add ghee and nuts for extra taste.
Texture and Taste
- Perfect Arisi Puttu should be soft and crumbly. It should not be sticky or hard.
- It should have natural sweetness from jaggery and fresh coconut flavor.
- Each bite should melt in the mouth.
- The aroma should be rich and pleasant.
Tips for Perfect Arisi Puttu
Use good quality raw rice
Always use raw rice (pacharisi) for authentic taste and soft texture. Avoid old rice, as it gives dry puttu.
Grind to slightly coarse texture
The flour should be slightly coarse like rava, not too fine. This helps create the perfect grainy texture.
Roast the flour lightly
Dry roast the rice flour on low flame until warm. This removes raw smell and improves flavour.
Add water carefully
Sprinkle water little by little and mix. The flour should be moist but not wet. When pressed in hand, it should hold shape and crumble easily.
Steam properly
Steam on medium flame. Over-steaming makes puttu hard, and under-steaming keeps it raw.
Add fresh coconut layers
Use fresh grated coconut between layers. It gives softness and traditional taste.
Do not press tightly
Keep the flour loose while filling. Pressing too much makes puttu dense and hard.
Serve immediately
Arisi puttu tastes best when hot and fresh, as it may become dry after cooling.
Health Benefits
- Arisi Puttu is a healthy traditional sweet. It is steamed, so it uses no oil.
- Rice gives energy.
- Jaggery gives iron.
- Coconut gives healthy fats.
- It is easy to digest.
- It is suitable for all ages.
- It is better than processed sweets.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with sugar and ghee
This is the most common method. Add sugar and a spoon of ghee for sweet version.
Serve with banana
Mix with ripe banana (especially nendram banana) for delicious traditional taste.
Serve with coconut and jaggery
Add grated coconut and powdered jaggery for natural sweetness.
Serve with kadala curry
For a savoury option, serve with black chana curry, which is a classic combination.
Serve as breakfast or evening tiffin
Arisi puttu is perfect for breakfast or light evening meal.
Serve hot for best texture
Always serve hot or warm, as it becomes dry when cold.
Storage Tips
- Store in airtight container.
- Keep at room temperature.
- Consume within one day.
- Fresh puttu tastes best.
- Do not store for long time.
Variations
1. Red Rice Puttu
Made using red rice flour, this version is more nutritious and has a slightly strong, earthy flavour. It is very popular in Kerala.
2. Ragi Puttu
Prepared with ragi flour (finger millet), this is a healthy variation rich in iron and fibre. It has a darker colour and unique taste.
3. Wheat Puttu
Made using wheat flour, this version is softer and has mild flavour. It is a good alternative to rice puttu.
4. Sweet Puttu
Jaggery, coconut, and sometimes cardamom are added directly to the flour to make a naturally sweet puttu.
5. Coconut Milk Puttu
Instead of water, coconut milk is used to moisten the flour, giving richer taste and aroma.
6. Vegetable Puttu
Finely chopped vegetables like carrot, beans, and peas are mixed for a colourful and nutritious savoury version.
7. Jackfruit Puttu
Made by mixing mashed ripe jackfruit with rice flour. It has natural sweetness and fruity flavour.
Festival Importance
- Arisi Puttu is prepared during Vinayagar Chaturthi.
- It is prepared during Navaratri.
- It is prepared during Karthigai Deepam.
- It is offered to God.
- It is considered sacred prasadam.
- It is part of Tamil tradition.
Mistakes
Do not add too much water.
Do not skip roasting.
Do not skip steaming.
Do not use dry coconut.
Do not overcook jaggery.
Follow correct steps.
My Experience
My name is Arthy, and Arisi Puttu is one of my favorite traditional recipes. The first time I made this recipe, it reminded me of my childhood. My grandmother used to prepare this sweet during festivals.
I still remember the beautiful aroma of jaggery and coconut in the kitchen. When I prepared it myself, I felt very happy and proud.
When my family tasted it, they loved it so much. Their appreciation gave me confidence.
Now, I prepare Arisi Puttu during festivals and special occasions. It brings happiness and keeps our tradition alive.
Cooking traditional recipes gives me satisfaction and joy.
About the Author
Hello, I am Arthy, a passionate home cook and food blogger. I love cooking traditional South Indian recipes and sharing them with everyone.
My goal is to preserve our traditional recipes and help others learn cooking easily.
All my recipes are tested in my kitchen.
I explain each recipe in simple steps so beginners can understand.
Cooking is my passion, and sharing recipes makes me happy.
Thank you for visiting my blog and supporting my recipes.
Conclusion
Arisi Puttu is a delicious, soft, and healthy traditional sweet of Tamil Nadu. It is easy to prepare and requires simple ingredients.
This recipe is perfect for festivals, pooja, and special occasions.
It connects us with our tradition and culture.
Making Arisi Puttu at home gives happiness and satisfaction.
Try this authentic recipe and enjoy with your family.
You can try other recipes
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