Kambu Maavu Puttu is a mild sweet dish made using pearl millet flour which is steamed and then mixed with sugar, coconut and ghee. This recipe has soft crumbly texture that melts easily in your mouth and gives nice nutty flavor from the millet. I make this when I want something simple but still healthy to eat, mostly for breakfast or even sometimes for light dinner.
Kambu or Pearl millet is one of the traditional millet which people use since a long time in South Indian homes for many years. It is rich in iron, fiber and helps to keep the body cool during hot days. This is a nice way to include millets in daily diet, especially for people who are not used to it much. The taste is simple, mild and gives a good change from regular breakfast items.
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About Kambu Maavu Puttu
Kambu Maavu Puttu is one of the simple millet based recipe that can be made in few easy steps. The flour is lightly roasted and then steamed till soft, then mixed with ghee and sugar to bring that smooth and moist texture. The combination of cane sugar and cardamom gives a soft sweetness and light aroma which makes it very comforting to eat.
This dish is quite popular in Tamil Nadu and few other South Indian places where people still use millets in regular cooking. The flavor of kambu is deep and little earthy, very different from rice puttu we make normally. This has mild taste that goes well with ghee and coconut. You can even try with jaggery instead of sugar for a more healthier version.
The texture of this puttu is not sticky or too dry, it stays soft and crumbly when mixed properly. It feels filling after you eat but still not heavy on stomach. You can have it for breakfast or sometimes for simple dinner also when you want something light and not spicy. It is one of those easy homely recipes that gives comfort without taking much time.
I usually make this on lazy morning or weekends when I do not want to cook much but still need something filling and tasty. My family always enjoy it with little extra spoon of ghee on top. It gives nice flavor and feels satisfying to eat.
Kambu Maavu Puttu Ingredients
- Kambu Maavu - I have used roasted kambu flour for this recipe, it gives nice nutty smell and deep flavor to the puttu. You can also use unroasted flour but better to dry roast little before steaming so the raw taste goes away.
- Water - I added just enough to make the flour moist. It helps to hold the mixture little firm before steaming. Add slowly and mix well till it feels right when you press in hand.
- Cane Sugar - I have used unrefined cane sugar, it gives mild sweetness and small golden shade to the dish. You can use jaggery also if you want stronger and more earthy taste.
- Coconut - I have used fresh grated coconut, it gives moisture and tiny crunch in between. You can skip it if you do not like, but I feel it gives nice taste and fresh smell.
- Cardamom Powder - I have added little cardamom powder for soft sweet smell and flavor balance.
- Ghee - I used homemade ghee, it makes the puttu soft and rich. It gives that aroma , better taste and smell.
Why This Recipe Works
- This recipe is simple to make and uses only few basic ingredients.
- It gives soft texture and gentle sweet flavor that both kids and elders like.
- It is a healthy choice because it uses millet flour which is rich in iron and fibre.
- You can easily adhust the sweetness or use jaggery for a traditional taste.
- This recipe can be served warm or cold and still tastes nice and light.
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How to make Kambu Maavu Puttu Step by Step
1.Dry roast the flour until aroma comes, my flour was already roasted so just roasted for a minute and proceeded. Now sprinkle water may 2 tablespoon.
2.Mix well without any lumps, try to hold the flour tightly with your hands if it holds then this is the right consistency, stop adding water.
3.Transfer the flour to a steamer plate and steam for at least 15-20 minutes in low medium flame. The color of the flour must have changed by now.
4.Transfer it to a mixing bowl add cane sugar, cardamom powder, ghee, sugar and salt. Mix well.
Serve hot / warm!
Expert Tips
- Roasting- I usually dry roast the flour just for a minute to remove raw smell. It also helps to make soft puttu after steaming.
- Adding water - Sprinkle little water at a time, mix gently and check by pressing the flour in your hand. If it holds shape, it is perfect.
- Steaming time - I have steamed for around twenty minutes. The flour changes color slightly when cooked, that is when it is ready.
- Mixing - After steaming, I add sugar, ghee, and coconut while it is still warm. It helps to absorb flavor and become moist.
- Serving style - I sometimes shape the puttu using a small cup or bowl, it looks neat and easy to serve. You can just fluff and serve as it is also.
Serving and Storage
Serve this dish warm with small drizzle of melted ghee on top. It goes nice with banana or even one spoon of curd on side. Keep leftover in airtight box and store in fridge for one day. When serving again, heat it little so the ghee melts and the puttu turn soft again.
FAQS
1.Can I use jaggery?
Yes you can, just melt jaggery with small amount of water and filter once before mixing with the steamed flour. It gives dark color and rich taste to the puttu.
2.Is this good for kids?
Yes it is mild and healthy. You can mash it well and reduce sugar slightly if making for small kids.
3.Can I skip coconut?
You can skip, but coconut gives little moisture and nice freshness, so I feel it tastes better with it.
4.How to find the flour is cooked?
After steaming the flour will look slightly darker and the raw smell will go off. If it feels sticky while touching, steam for few more minutes.
5.Can I make this in large batch?
Yes you can make in bigger quantity also. Just steam in two rounds and mix gently after cooking so it stay soft and fluffy.
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📖 Recipe Card
Kambu Maavu Puttu Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup kambu maavu / bajra flour
- water as needed
- ¼ cup cane sugar
- 2 tablespoon coconut
- 1 tiny pinch cardamom powder
- 2 teaspoon ghee
- 1 tiny pinch salt
Instructions
- Dry roast the flour until aroma comes,my flour was already roasted so just roasted for a minute and proceeded.
- Now sprinkle water may 2 tablespoon.
- Mix well without any lumps, try to hold the flour tightly with your hands if it holds then this is the right consistency, stop adding water.
- Transfer the flour to a steamer plate and steam for at least 15-20 minutes in low medium flame. The color of the flour must have changed by now.
- Transfer it to a mixing bowl add cane sugar,cardamom owder,ghee,sugar and salt.
- Mix well. Serve Kambu Maavu Puttu hot / warm!
Notes
- Roasting- I usually dry roast the flour just for a minute to remove raw smell. It also helps to make soft puttu after steaming.
- Adding water - Sprinkle little water at a time, mix gently and check by pressing the flour in your hand. If it holds shape, it is perfect.
- Steaming time - I have steamed for around twenty minutes. The flour changes color slightly when cooked, that is when it is ready.
- Mixing - After steaming, I add sugar, ghee, and coconut while it is still warm. It helps to absorb flavor and become moist.
- Serving style - I sometimes shape the puttu using a small cup or bowl, it looks neat and easy to serve. You can just fluff and serve as it is also.
Durga Karthik.
Wow.i just wanted to make puttu.And was wondering how to make it without the mould.Will try your method.
Durga Karthik.
I made aval puttu n kadalai curry. I tried with muruku achu. I will post in instagram the photo.
Anusudha Shanmugam
Healthy dish
Neela Kannan
Hi,
Is that ok to use puttu maker instead of steamer plate?
Priya Subramanian
Superb recipe, thank you. What exactly is cane sugar..?