Pittu (පිට්ටු)

Enjoyed by the Sinhalese and Tamil communities alike “Pittu” is a traditional Sri Lankan dish that is quite frequented in many homes. Since most of our island’s food revolves around the staples Rice and Coconut, this main meal is also considered a popular favourite while the accompaniments can be a variety of sweet and savoury dishes. Steamed in cylindrical shaped moulds, “Pittu” can be enjoyed with warm Coconut Milk, sugar, Lunumiris (Onion and chillie sambal), spicy meat or fish curries etc.

Ingredients

• 1/2 Kg Raw Rice. (You can also use Rice flour)
• 1/2 grated Coconut.
• Water to sprinkle.
• Salt to taste.

Method

• Soak rice in water for 4 hrs, then drain it well and grind it to make fine powder.
• Roast the powder for 5 minutes. Stir it well, while heating. Keep it aside for cooling.
• Mix salt with water ant then sprinkle this to the powdered rice or Rice Flour , just to make the powder wet.
• Put a handful of grated coconut in the Pittu Mould and then put rice powder till half then add another handful of grated coconut.
• This is done till the top. Close the lid steam it for 2 to 3 minutes(or until you see the steam come out of the sides on the top of the cylinder) in a cooker or steamer which comes with the Pittu Mould.
• Serve it with a curry of your choice.