Ay, naku naman >>> Puto Frenzy

I have been craving puto, the ones Dad and my maternal Aunty used to make.

What's a PUTO? I think of it as the Holy Grail of Filipino desserts. The english translation is steamed rice cake muffin but the way Aunty Beron made it in the Philippines, they came out diamond shaped & completely made from scratch (literally - I will explain later). It's the Holy Grail for me because both my Dad and Aunty are no longer here on earth to provide me with their expertise. So the quest for their recipes is on.....

Flash-Back 1960s ~ Norfolk, Virginia
When Dad would have shore duty (ship docked in Norfolk), he would get up early to make us a dozen before heading into work. They were an awesome breakfast treat. He stopped making them after he retired from the US Navy in 1966. He said it would be easier and less expensive to buy them from someone else.

I have never made puto until now. I remember Dad using Bisquick (yes, the brand) & a steamer. The other ingredients he may have used were sugar, milk, anise, salt, baking powder & eggs.

So, how hard can that be to put all those ingredients together??? Yeah, right. My culinary adventure begins......