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Putong Bigas on a banana leaf.
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Putong Bigas Recipe

Soft, fluffy Filipino steamed rice cakes made with rice flour for an easy galapong-style puto.
Course Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine Filipino
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 16
Calories 126kcal
Author Nora Rey
Cost $3-$4

Equipment

  • 16 puto molds (aluminum or silicone)
  • Steamer
  • Banana leaves (optional)

Ingredients

For the dough:

  • 2 cups rice flour
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon instant yeast (or active dry yeast)
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt (use half for table salt)
  • 1 (13.5-oz) can coconut milk (or water)
  • Vanilla extract or pandan extract optional
  • Grated coconut, cheese, salted egg, or butter optional toppings

For the tangzhong:

  • ½ cup rice flour
  • 1½ cups water
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Mix the rice flour, sugar, yeast, salt, and coconut milk until smooth.
  • Cook the tangzhong ingredients over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened into a paste (about 6-8 minutes). Mix into the batter until smooth.
  • Cover and let the batter rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, until bubbly.
  • Grease the molds or line with banana leaves. Place molds in the steamer basket and fill about ¾ full. Add cheese or salted egg, if using.
  • Steam over medium heat for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Keep the lid wrapped with a cloth and avoid opening too early.
  • Let cool slightly, then remove from the molds. Serve fresh.

Notes

  • Rice flour: Use regular rice flour, not glutinous rice flour. To make your own, grind uncooked white rice until very fine; soak, drain, and dry it first if your blender needs help.
  • Instant yeast: Mix it straight into the dry ingredients. If using active dry yeast, dissolve it first in warm coconut milk with about 1 tablespoon sugar.
  • Coconut milk: Makes the puto softer and a little richer. Use water for some or all of it if you want it lighter.
  • Toppings (optional): Putong bigas is good plain, but you can add cheese, salted egg, grated coconut, or a little butter if you like.
 
Tips for Making Putong Bigas
  • Let the batter rise until bubbly.
  • Wrap the lid with a cloth to catch drips.
  • Don’t open the steamer too early.
  • Cool slightly before removing from molds.

Nutrition

Calories: 126kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 0.5g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 74mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin C: 0.003mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.1mg