See rose cookies recipe | achappam | Kerala style achu murukku | eggless rose cookies - Christmas recipe |
rose cookies is a crunchy and crispy snack which can be made in batches in advance and enjoyed with family and friends at tea time and during the festive mood. Learn how to make achappam.
Eggless rose cookies - Christmas recipe are not cookies in the real sense, but are so called because they look like dainty roses. This traditional snack is believed to be of Anglo-Indian origin, and is made commonly during Christmas time. In the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu it is quite often made during the festival of Diwali and a popular Diwali recipe.
To make rose cookies, combine the plain flour, cornflour, sugar, cinnamon powder and baking soda in a deep bowl and mix well. Add approx. 3/4 cup of water gradually, mix well and whisk well to make a smooth batter of coating consistency. Heat the oil in a deep non-stick pan very well. Dip the rose cookie mould in the hot oil. And allow it to heat up for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the rose cookie mould from the oil and dip half mould into the batter taking care that the mould is evenly coated with the batter. Dip the mould again in the hot oil and as the cookie cooks, loosen the cookies slightly using a fork and deep-fry till they turn golden brown in colour from all the sides. Drain on an absorbent paper. Repeat steps 4 to 7 to make 24 more cookies. Just before serving, dust the cookies with the powdered sugar evenly and serve immediately.
Achappam is made by coating a cinnamon-flavoured, mildly-sweet plain flour batter on a rose-shaped mould and deep-frying till crisp. The cookies are then dusted with powdered sugar, which gives them an additional appeal, both in terms of appearance and taste.
These achu murukku can also be stored in an airtight container but make sure you cool them completely before storing, and do not sprinkle sugar till the time of serving, because if you sprinkle sugar and store, it will release water and make the cookies soggy.
Tips for rose cookies. 1. Add the water gradually while making the dough, as the amount of water depends on the quality of the flour. It should be thick enough to coat the rose cookie mould and not of dropping consistency like a dosa batter. 2. Greasing the cookie mould by dipping in hot oil is necessary each time you fry a new cookie. 3. If you don’t have powdered sugar, grind the table sugar in a mixer and sieve it before use.
Is Rose Cookies, Achappam healthy?
No, this is not healthy. Let's see why.
Let's understand the Ingredients.
Plain flour (maida) : This recipe uses plain flour or maida which is refined carb not suitable for healthy lifestyle. Maida consumption in any food should be totally avoided or use in very small quantities as any consumption of this will cause a larger spike in blood sugar levels which is not good for diabetics, heart patients. The development of prediabetes comes from uncontrolled eating sugar and refined food products for many years and the classic symptom is if you have excess belly fat. This leads to diabetes and further onwards to heart attack, high blood pressure, strokes, impotence and kidney damage. Read is maida good for you to understand fully.
Cornflour ( Cornstarch) : Pros. Cornflour is easy to digest because of the presence of insoluble fiber, thus benefits the gut. It’s gluten-free and can be consumed by those who cannot afford to have wheat. Cons. Cornflour is full of calories and carbs like refined sugar, thus a barrier to weight reduction. Those on weight loss diet must definitely not reach out for it. The high carbs makes it a No-No for a diabetic meal and restricted for heart patients. Read for more details is cornflour healthy?
Sugar : Sugar used in the recipe is also called white poison. It is a simple carbohydrate with zero nutritional value. On intake, sugar will cause inflammation of the body which will last for many hours. It will spike your blood sugar level and shut down the fat burning process. This also causes high blood sugar levels in your body. The development of prediabetes comes from uncontrolled eating sugar and refined food products for many years and the classic symptom is if you have excess belly fat. This leads to diabetes and further onwards to heart attack, high blood pressure, strokes, impotence and kidney damage.
Vegetable Oils : To some vegetable oil is only soyabean oil, while some promote it as a mix of oils like soyabean, canola, sunflower, corn and other omega-6 rich oils. These are often cheaper options than many oils, but they are highly processed oils. They are undoubtedly not to be reached out for, whether you are looking for salad dressings, sautéing or cooking. The 5 best oils used in cooking are olive oil (low temperature short time cooking), avocado oil, canola oil, coconut oil and peanut oil. You must read the super article to find the facts of which oil is the healthiest avoid vegetable oil.
Deep fried foods : This recipe is deep fried. Any food that is deep fried is not suitable for healthy living. Your fat levels increase as deep frying increases oil absorption. Also when you use the same oil again for deep frying then smoking point decreases which leads to the development of blue smoke which is not good for health. Processed food, Deep Fried Foods also increases inflammation in the body and shuts down the fat burning process. Most diseases from heart, to cardio vascular, diabetes, parkinsons, alzheimer, cancer and obesity result when the cells get inflamed and then they don't function correctly. Inflammation in the arteries can cause heart attacks. So your diet should contain foods that fight inflammation in the body. That's how your body gets healthier by eating the right stuff.
Note : 1 cup = 200 ml (standard cup available in the market). The weight in grams varies for each ingredient.
Can diabetics, heart patients and overweight individuals have Rose Cookies, Achappam?
Rose Cookies, Achappam is made up of maida and sugar which falls under the category of unsafe foods for daibetics and a healthy life style. Consuming maida and sugar will cause a spike in your blood sugar levels and slow down the fat burning process. Even worse, it will cause inflammation in your body which is unhealthy. Also being a diabetic, you should be consuming low fat foods to keep your weight and cholesterol in check.
Can healthy individuals have Rose Cookies, Achappam?
The Rose Cookies, Achappam is deep fried. Any food that is deep fried is not suitable for healthy living. Your fat levels increase as deep frying increases oil absorption. Also when you use the same oil again for deep frying then smoking point decreases which leads to the development of blue smoke which is not good for health. Processed food, Deep Fried Foods also increases inflammation in the body and shuts down the fat burning process.
What is a healthier Indian dessert option ?
We suggest you try low fat gajjar halwa recipe which uses dates as a sweetener and low fat milk which works well for diabetics. Make oats and mixed nuts ladoo recipe which is sweetened by jaggery.
Jowar Apple Sheera, Healthy Indian Sweet
Try a jowar based Indian dessert which is s a complex carb and will be absorbed slowly in the blood stream and not cause a spike in insulin. The jowar apple sheera recipe is made with the addition of cows milk and apples and sweetened with honey.
How to burn 48 calories that come from One piece of Rose Cookies, Achappam?
Walking (6 kmph) = 14 mins
Running (11 kmph) = 5 mins
Cycling (30 kmph) = 6 mins
Swimming (2 kmph) = 8 mins
Note: These values are approximate and calorie burning differs in each individual.