How To Make Puto Cheese: The Quick & Easy Way
Puto Cheese, a Filipino steamed rice cakes in the Philippines is a Filipino classic delicacy that is made of rice flour and coconut milk. These Puto recipe that I will be showing you today will give you a soft and fluffy cheese Puto result. Although there are ready to mix ingredients in a box that can be bought in the local supermarkets however this one is easier to make and better tasting too. Read on this article to know more about Puto cheese & its recipe.
Making Puto Cheese
What is Puto?
Puto (Filipino steamed rice) is so fluffy and delicious that it can be paired with any “merienda” snacks such as Dinuguan (famous pork blood stew) and perfect not only for the afternoon snacks but for any time of the day. Traditionally, Cheese Puto is made from using 3 main ingredients such as rice, water and sugar. Rice grains are soaked in water and allows it settle overnight. However, with the availability of rice flour nowadays, making Cheese puto (steamed cake) becomes easier. In here, we will not be actually using rice, but instead we will be using rice flour.
Tips in making Puto using rice flour
- Refrigerating the rice batter overnight is recommended for a more softer and less stiffer. Although you can also steam the batter, refrigerating is preferable.
- When mixing rice batter using a mixer, it is advised not to use the high speed mode as doing so creates air bubbles. If there are air bubbles present on the mixture, it will end up forming holes when the batter is steamed.
- To prevent water from dripping to the rice batter, make sure to put a clean towel to cover the lid of the steam, or any cotton material will do.
- Use low heat just to bring the water to simmer but not to a boil.
- In using moldings, you can either use a silicone molds which do not require you to grease the mold. But you can also use a glass or tin molding and grease it with oil to avoid sticking mixture on the molds. Either way, it will give you the perfect, fluffy Puto.
- The time for the Puto sometimes depends on the size of the molds that you use. You will always the option to adjust the time according to the molding of choice. However if you are not sure with the time, you can always check the Puto by inserting a toothpick on the center of the Puto. To know if Puto is done, the toothpick will come out clean.
- Vanilla Extract can also be used for that additional delicious taste and smell.
- Don’t have a mixer at home? Not to worry, there’s always the natural way of mixing the mixture by our hand using a whisker.
What Cheese to use?
Cheese in the Philippines are commonly seen on the supermarkets that are either packed in foil individually or packed in foil then packed in a box. Most of the cheese selections are just found on the shelves but other cheese selections are found on the chiller compartments too. Although there are a lot of processed cheese, you can choose which cheese to use according to one’s preference and of course its availability in your area. Cheddar cheese is highly recommended though.
Try these Puto Cheese recipe below for that delicious Filipino steamed rice cakes and you will never have to but the ready mix in a box ingredients ever again.
Puto Cheese Recipe
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rice cake flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp. baking powder
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk or fresh milk
- 1 egg (large)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp. melted butter
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup cheddar cheese (grated)
- for the topping: cheese strips
- for the molds: butter or oil
Instructions:
In a medium size bowl, mix the flour, sugar and baking powder.
After mixing, add milk and the egg.
If using a mixer, make sure to use a medium speed rather than high speed mode. This is to prevent air bubbles to get trapped on the batter mixture. Continue mixing until mixture becomes smoother. If you are using a whisk to mix, you can also do but again at slow or moderate speed.
Add the remaining ingredients: water, butter and vanilla extract. Continue to mix for about 1-2 minutes.
Add the grated cheese and this time you can use a spatula or spoon to mix the mixture.
Grease the molding using a butter or oil.
Pour in rice batter unto the molds for up to 3/4.
Make sure not to completely fill the molds to allow space once batter rises during the steaming process.
Fill the bottom of the steamer with water.
As mentioned, bring it to simmer and not to boil using low to medium heat.
Place Puto molds in the steamer and let it steam for about 10-12 minutes.
You can use a toothpick for check for doneness. Toothpick inserted usually comes out clean once Puto is done. If toothpick does not come out clean, add another 2 minutes and check from time to check for doneness.
Add cheese strip on top of the Puto, cover steamer and steam again for another 1 to 2 minutes. This allows the strip cheese to melt.
Remove Puto rice cakes from molds and transfer steamed buns to a serving plate then serve.
Interested in other recipes and savory dishes? Feel free to comment below. Also, let me know your experience along the way. I look forward to hearing from you.
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