To begin making the Kerala Rice Puttu, wash and soak the rice overnight or for about 8 hours

Once the rice has soaked well drain the water and spread the rice on a kitchen towel and dry it out

Allow the rice to dry for about 20 minutes but ensure it retains a bit of the moisture, else the rice will not grind well in mixer-blender

Grind the rice till it is mildly coarse

Do not grind the rice too much as it may get lumpy

In a large mixing bowl, combine the powdered rice, salt and 1/2 cup of the grated coconut

Sprinkle 4 tablespoons of water on to the rice mixture and stir to combine well with your fingers

The puttu mixture will be crumbly

When you hold the puttu mixture tightly in the palm of your hands it will hold together like a ball, when you release it, it will break apart

That's the consistency we want to make the Puttu

Keep the Puttu Rice Mix aside for 10-15 minutes

Take a Puttu mould and place a 3 or 4 tablespoons of the prepared Puttu mixture and a 1 or 2 tablespoons of coconut in the centre and a few more tablespoons of the Puttu mixture on the top

Lightly press it and cover the pan

Prepare the Puttu steamer with water at the bottom, and place the puttu mold and steam on high heat for about 10 minutes

You will notice that after 5 to 6 minutes the steam will start releasing from holes in the top of the mold

This is when you know that the puttu is getting steamed from the inside

Allow this steam to escape for at least 5 minutes

In total the Puttu is steaming for a good 10 minutes

Once done, turn off the heat

remove the mold from the steamer and open the lid, and using a spoon of a blunt knife, push the steamed Kerala Puttu of the mold into a plate

Continue the same process with the remaining Puttu Mixture

Serve Kerala Rice Puttu Kadala Curry or with sugar & chopped bananas for a wholesome meal