How To Cook Puto Maya In Rice Cooker

Puto Maya is a traditional Filipino delicacy that is often served during special occasions or as a snack. It is a sticky rice cake that is cooked with coconut milk and pandan leaves for a fragrant flavour. Traditionally, Puto Maya is cooked using a steamer, but it can also be easily made using a rice cooker.

Using a rice cooker to make Puto Maya is a convenient and foolproof method. It ensures that the rice is cooked evenly and doesn’t require constant monitoring. This recipe is perfect for those who don’t have access to a steamer or want to simplify the cooking process.

To make Puto Maya in a rice cooker, you will need glutinous or sticky rice, coconut milk, sugar, pandan leaves, and salt. Glutinous rice can be found in most Asian grocery stores or can be substituted with sushi rice if necessary. The pandan leaves add a distinct aroma to the rice, but can be omitted if they are not available.

Once you have gathered all the necessary ingredients, the process of making Puto Maya in a rice cooker is straightforward. Simply rinse the rice, combine it with the coconut milk, sugar, pandan leaves, and salt in the rice cooker, and cook it until the rice is soft and sticky. The result is a delicious and aromatic Puto Maya that can be enjoyed on its own or with a cup of hot chocolate.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Puto Maya in Rice Cooker

Here is a simple and easy-to-follow guide to cooking delicious Puto Maya in a rice cooker:

Ingredients:

2 cups glutinous rice (malagkit)
1 cup coconut milk
1 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
Banana leaves

Instructions:

Wash the glutinous rice thoroughly and soak it in water for at least 4 hours or overnight. Drain the water afterwards.
Line the rice cooker with banana leaves. This will prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the cooker.
In a mixing bowl, combine the soaked rice, coconut milk, water, sugar, and salt. Mix well until the sugar and salt are dissolved.
Transfer the mixture into the rice cooker, making sure to spread it evenly.
Cook the mixture in the rice cooker. This usually takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the brand and model of the cooker. Check the rice occasionally to avoid overcooking.
Once the rice is cooked and the grains are tender, gently fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains.
Remove the Puto Maya from the rice cooker and transfer it onto a serving plate. You can shape it into small cylinders or use a mold for a more traditional look.
Serve it warm and enjoy the flavorful and sticky Puto Maya with a cup of hot chocolate or sikwate.

Preparation

Before you start cooking Puto Maya in a rice cooker, it’s important to have all the ingredients and equipment prepared. Here’s what you’ll need:

2 cups of glutinous rice
1 1/2 cups of coconut milk
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon of salt
Banana leaves (optional for traditional presentation)
Rice cooker

Once you have gathered all the ingredients and equipment, it’s time to prepare the glutinous rice. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Soaking the Glutinous Rice

Place the 2 cups of glutinous rice in a bowl and add water until it covers the rice completely. Soak the rice for at least 2 hours or overnight. This will help soften the rice and make it easier to cook.

2. Making Coconut Milk Mixture

In a separate bowl, mix the coconut milk, water, brown sugar, and salt. Stir until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved, and the mixture is well combined.

Now that you have soaked the glutinous rice and prepared the coconut milk mixture, you are ready to start cooking Puto Maya in a rice cooker.

Cooking Rice

Whether you are cooking rice on the stovetop or using a rice cooker, there are a few basic steps you need to follow to achieve perfect rice every time. Here’s how you can cook rice:

Measure the desired amount of rice using a measuring cup, depending on how many servings you want.
Rinse the rice under cold water in a fine mesh strainer to remove any excess starch. This step helps to prevent the rice from sticking together.
Add the rinsed rice to a saucepan or rice cooker.
Add water to the saucepan or rice cooker in a 1:2 ratio. For example, if you are cooking 1 cup of rice, add 2 cups of water.
If using a saucepan, cover it with a tight-fitting lid. If using a rice cooker, simply close the lid.
Place the saucepan or rice cooker over medium heat and bring the water to a boil.
Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the rice simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Avoid removing the lid and stirring during this time, as it may affect the cooking process.
After the designated cooking time, turn off the heat and let the rice rest for about 5 minutes.
Fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains.
Your perfectly cooked rice is now ready to be served!

Note: Cooking times may vary depending on the type of rice you are using. Always refer to the packaging instructions for more accurate cooking times.

Making Puto Maya Mixture

To make the puto maya mixture, you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients

2 cups glutinous rice
1 1/2 cups coconut milk
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

Follow these steps to prepare the puto maya mixture:

Wash the glutinous rice thoroughly in cold water. Drain and transfer to a bowl.
Add the coconut milk, water, brown sugar, and salt to the bowl of glutinous rice. Mix well to combine.
Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and let it sit for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the rice to absorb the flavors.
After the rice has soaked, prepare the steamer by filling it with water and bringing it to a boil.
Grease the puto moulds or banana leaves with oil to prevent sticking.
Transfer the puto maya mixture into the greased moulds, filling them about 3/4 full.
Place the moulds in the steamer and cover with a lid. Steam for about 30-35 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and has a sticky consistency.
Once cooked, remove the puto maya from the steamer and let them cool for a few minutes.
Serve the puto maya warm and enjoy!

Now that you know how to make the puto maya mixture, you can proceed to cook it in your rice cooker.

Steaming Puto Maya

To steam Puto Maya, you will need a steamer or a rice cooker with a steaming function.

1. Prepare the Puto Maya mixture by combining glutinous rice, coconut milk, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Mix well until all the ingredients are well incorporated.

2. Transfer the mixture to a steamer-safe container or a heat-resistant dish. Make sure to leave some space at the top to allow the Puto Maya to expand while cooking.

3. Fill the steamer or rice cooker with water, ensuring that the water level is below the container holding the Puto Maya mixture.

4. Place the container with the Puto Maya mixture into the steamer or rice cooker. If using a rice cooker, set it to the steam function.

5. Cover the steamer or rice cooker with a lid and steam the Puto Maya mixture for about 1 to 1.5 hours. Check occasionally to make sure there is still enough water in the steamer or rice cooker.

6. Once the Puto Maya is cooked, remove it from the steamer or rice cooker and let it cool for a few minutes.

7. Serve the Puto Maya warm, topped with freshly grated coconut or latik (coconut curd). Enjoy!

Tip: You can also add pandan leaves or pandan extract to the Puto Maya mixture for added flavor and aroma.

Serving and Enjoying

After cooking the Puto Maya in a rice cooker, it is time to serve and enjoy this delicious Filipino rice cake. Here are some steps to follow:

Prepare a banana leaf or parchment paper to line a plate or serving dish.
Using a spoon or spatula, carefully transfer the Puto Maya from the rice cooker onto the lined plate.
Cut the Puto Maya into small square pieces or any desired shape.
Serve the Puto Maya warm or at room temperature.
Optional: Serve the Puto Maya with ripe mango slices or grated coconut for extra flavour and texture.

Puto Maya can be enjoyed as a snack or as a dessert. It pairs well with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.

Now that you know how to cook Puto Maya in a rice cooker and how to serve it, you can impress your family and friends with this traditional Filipino delicacy. Enjoy!