An achappam ('achh' meaning mould and 'appam' meaning food made with flour) is a deep fried rose cookie made with
rice flour
Rice flour (also rice powder) is a form of flour made from finely milled rice. It is distinct from rice starch, which is usually produced by steeping rice in lye. Rice flour is a common substitute for wheat flour. It is also used as a thickening ...
and egg predominantly found in Kerala and other parts of South India.
It is a signature Kerala snack believed to have originated from Dutch influence.
It has since spread to South East Asia, where it has various local names such as ''kuih loyang'' (brass), ''acuan'' (mould), ''cap'' (stamp), ''bunga ros'' (rose flower), ''bunga durian'' (durian flower), ''goyang'' (shake), ''kembang loyang'', ''dok jok'' (water lettuce), etc. Rose cookies are shaped like flowers, slightly sweet crunchy, and available in teashops and snack shops all around South India.
Preparation
Achappam are made using patterned irons or molds to give the characteristic size, shape, and surface impression. The iron is heated to a very high temperature in oil, dipped into the batter, then re-immersed in the hot oil to create a crisp shell around the metal. The iron is lifted from the oil after the cookie separates from the iron.
Achappam batter is made from a blend of rice flour, eggs, sugar, and
coconut milk
Coconut milk is a plant milk extracted from the grated pulp of mature coconuts. The opacity and rich taste of the milky-white liquid are due to its high oil content, most of which is saturated fat. Coconut milk is a traditional food ingred ...
.
Achappam can be eaten plain and are also commonly spiced with sesame, cumin, and cardamom.
See also
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Appam
An appam or vellayappam is a type of thin pancake originating from South India. It is made with fermented rice batter and coconut milk, traditionally cooked in an ''appachatti'', a deep pan similar in shape to a wok. It's a popular dish in Indi ...
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Kokis
Kokis () is a deep-fried, crispy Sri Lankan food made from rice flour and coconut milk. Considered as a festive traditional Sri Lankan dish. This is an important snack when celebrating Sinhala New Year and plays a major role in the festivities. ...
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List of fried dough varieties
This is a list of fried dough foods. Many cultures have dishes that are prepared by deep frying dough in many various forms. Doughnuts are a type of fried dough food that are covered separately in the Wikipedia article List of doughnut varieties.
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Struva / Rosette
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Kembang goyang
References
Indian pastries
Christmas food
Kerala cuisine
Indian snack foods
Deep fried foods
Fried desserts
{{India-cuisine-stub