Buttered Puto with Cheese

Buttered Rice Cake with Cheese

Growing up, I remember this really nice older gentleman who sold puto and kutsinta, he always stopped by our front gate and gave us puto and kutsinta for free. He did this at least 2 or 3 times a week, early in the morning or in the afternoon. Although, we always wanted to pay him, but for some reason he didn't want to accept any payment. Once we heard his horn blowing, we would run right away towards the gate with a plate on our hands, and we see him smiling and preparing our puto and kutsinta. He always served it with freshly grated coconut, which made the puto creamier in taste.

Puto, or rice cake, is a popular snack in the Philippines. This can be eaten as it is, or with freshly grated coconut. It is also best served with Dinuguan (Blood Stew), Sopas (chicken or pork macaroni soup), Goto to name a few. 

In this puto recipe, I used ordinary all-purpose flour instead of rice flour. As always, I used whatever is available in my cupboard. For a very easy way of cooking puto, an instant puto mix can also be used and can be bought at the grocery store that sells Asian products. All you need to do is add water and sugar, then steam. However, I wanted to make it from scratch. I also baked it with water under the baking tray, instead of steaming it a regular steamer.

 Ingredients:

• 4 cups All Purpose Flour or Rice Flour (sifted)
• 2 cups White Sugar (sifted)
• 2-1/2 tbsp. Baking Powder (sifted)
• 2-1/2 cups Water
• 1 can Evaporated Milk
• 1/2 cup Butter (melted)
• 1/4 tsp. Pandan Essence or Vanilla
• 2 pcs. Eggs
• Grated Cheese

Let's Bake!

1.  Place a large roasting pan on the top rack of the oven. Fill half of the tray with water and put the drip tray on top of the roasting pan.
2. Preheat oven to 325ºF.
3. Grease muffin pan with butter or non-stick spray or line with paper cups. I used silicon molds, but I still sprayed them with non-stick spray. I just wanted to make sure it will come out easily from the mold.
4. Combine all dry ingredients together (flour, sugar, and baking powder) and sift using a flour sifter to remove any lumps and to incorporate all the ingredients. Set aside.
5. In a separate bowl, combine all the wet ingredients  (butter, water, milk, eggs, pandan essence or vanilla) Mix thoroughly.
   
6. Gradually add the wet mixture to dry mixture and carefully fold with a spatula.
7. When the batter starts to form, use a wire whisk to blend the mixture thoroughly.
   
8.  Pour the mixture to the greased mold, filling about 2/3 of the mold.
   
9. Place the molds or muffin pan tray on top of the drip tray with steaming water at the bottom.
10. Steam-bake for at least 15 minutes or until the toothpick comes out dry when inserted.
11. Add the grated cheese on top of the puto and bake for another 2 or 3 minutes.
12. Turn off oven and remove from the puto oven. Let it cool.
13. With the use of a spatula, carefully remove the puto from the molds.
14. Dish out with your favorite soup or serve as it is.
15. Share and enjoy!