Puttu and Kadala Curry: A Classic Kerala Breakfast

Some breakfasts are filling, some are comforting, and some manage to be both. Puttu and kadala curry is one such combination. A beloved breakfast from Kerala, this meal brings together soft, steamed rice cakes with a spicy, aromatic black chickpea curry.


Puttu is wonderfully simple. It is made with rice flour, coconut and water, then steamed until light and fluffy. Kadala curry provides the bold contrast, with black chickpeas cooked in a rich gravy flavoured with coconut and warm spices.



It is the kind of breakfast that feels traditional, satisfying and deeply connected to Kerala's food culture.



What Makes Puttu Special?



Puttu is usually prepared in a cylindrical steamer called a puttu kutti. The rice flour is moistened carefully so that it resembles fine crumbs rather than becoming a smooth dough.



The mixture is layered with freshly grated coconut and steamed. The result is a soft, slightly crumbly rice cake with a delicate coconut aroma.



The trick is getting the moisture right. If the flour is too dry, the puttu can turn hard. If it is too wet, it may become dense instead of fluffy.



Puttu Recipe


Ingredients


2 cups roasted rice flour or puttu flour 1 cup freshly grated coconut ½ teaspoon salt Water, as needed


Method


Place the rice flour in a large bowl and add the salt.



Sprinkle water gradually while mixing the flour with your fingertips. Don't pour all the water at once. The flour should become moist and crumbly, and when you press a little between your fingers, it should hold together lightly before breaking apart.


Allow the mixture to rest for around 10 minutes. If needed, gently break up any lumps with your fingers.


Fill the puttu steamer by alternating layers of rice flour and grated coconut. Begin and finish with coconut.



Steam for around 5 to 8 minutes, or until the puttu is cooked through and the steam begins to rise through the top.



Carefully push the cooked puttu onto a plate and keep it warm while preparing the curry.



Kadala Curry Recipe



Ingredients



1 cup black chickpeas 1 onion, chopped 1 tomato, chopped 2 green chillies, slit 1 teaspoon ginger, grated 2 cloves garlic, minced ½ teaspoon turmeric powder 1 teaspoon coriander powder ½ teaspoon chilli powder ½ teaspoon garam masala ½ cup grated coconut 1 small cinnamon stick 2 cardamom pods 2 cloves 1 teaspoon mustard seeds A few curry leaves 2 tablespoons coconut oil Salt to taste Water, as needed


Method


Soak the black chickpeas overnight. Drain them and pressure cook with enough water and a little salt until tender.



Heat coconut oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add curry leaves, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves.



Add the onion, green chillies, ginger and garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes soft.



Add the tomato, turmeric, coriander powder, chilli powder and garam masala. Cook until the tomato softens and the spices become aromatic.



Meanwhile, lightly roast the grated coconut in another pan until golden. Allow it to cool slightly and grind it with a little water into a smooth paste.



Add the coconut paste to the curry and cook for a few minutes. Add the cooked chickpeas along with some of their cooking water.



Simmer until the gravy thickens and the flavours come together. Adjust the salt and spice according to your taste.



How to Serve It



Serve hot puttu with a generous portion of kadala curry on the side. Break a little piece of puttu, mix it with the spicy chickpea gravy and enjoy the contrast between the soft rice, coconut and rich curry.



Some people also enjoy puttu with ripe banana and a little sugar, but kadala curry remains one of the most classic savoury pairings.




A Breakfast That Feels Like Home


Puttu and kadala curry may use simple ingredients, but the combination is anything but ordinary. The steamed rice flour, fresh coconut and spicy black chickpea curry create a meal that is wholesome, aromatic and satisfying.



It is a beautiful example of Kerala cooking, where everyday ingredients are transformed into food that carries tradition and comfort in every bite.



If you want to bring a little taste of Kerala into your kitchen, puttu and kadala curry is a wonderful place to start.

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