Puto Bumbong Recipe
Puto Bumbong Recipe
Contents
Puto bumbong is a traditional Filipino purple rice cake steamed in bamboo tubes, typically enjoyed during the Christmas season. It’s made from glutinous rice, topped with butter, grated coconut, and muscovado sugar, and served on banana leaves. This dish is a staple during Simbang Gabi (night masses) and symbolizes Filipino holiday traditions.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups sticky purple rice (pirurutong)
- 1 1/3 cups glutinous white rice (malagkit)
- 2/3 cup long grain purple rice
- 6 cups water (for soaking the rice)
- 3/4 cup muscovado sugar
- 1 1/2 cups freshly grated coconut
- 1/2 cup softened butter (or margarine)
Instructions
- Soak the rice: Combine sticky purple rice, glutinous white rice, and long grain purple rice in a large bowl. Pour 6 cups of water over the rice and soak for 2 days.
- Drain and grind: Drain the soaked rice using a sieve. Transfer the rice to a food processor and grind until it becomes a fine powder.
- Prepare the steamer: Fill a puto bumbong steamer (or regular steamer) with water halfway and bring it to a boil.
- Fill the bamboo tubes: Lightly grease bamboo tubes (or aluminum foil molds) with butter. Fill each tube with the ground rice mixture, ensuring it’s loose to allow steam to pass through.
- Steam the rice: Place the filled tubes in the steamer. Steam for 10-15 minutes or until steam escapes from the top of the tubes.
- Assemble: Remove the steamed rice cakes from the tubes and place them on banana leaves. Spread butter on top, then sprinkle with grated coconut and muscovado sugar.
- Serve: Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Puto Bumbong
- Use freshly grated coconut for the best flavor and texture.
A If bamboo tubes are unavailable, mold aluminum foil into thin, cylindrical containers. - Break any clumps in the rice mixture before steaming to ensure even cooking.
- Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
FAQ
Can I use regular rice instead of purple rice?
Yes, you can substitute purple rice with regular glutinous rice, but the traditional purple color won’t be achieved.
What if I don’t have a bamboo steamer?
You can use aluminum foil molds and a regular steamer as an alternative.
Can I use food coloring?
Yes, if you can’t find sticky purple rice, you can add violet or ube food coloring to achieve the signature purple hue.
Related guides
- Banana Cue: Filipino Caramelized Fried Bananas
- Bibingka (Filipino Coconut Rice Cake)
- Bibingkang Malagkit (Filipino Sticky Rice Cake)
- Filipino Biko Recipe: The Ultimate Guide to Sticky Rice Cake