Isn’t it odd how there are some foods we absolutely dislike when eaten (or cooked) one way, yet will tolerate (even enjoy) in another form? Let me explain. I cannot stand jackfruit. By the way, this is an odd statement coming from someone who belongs to the Indian state of [Kerala](http://www.kerala
Isn’t it odd how there are some foods we absolutely dislike when eaten (or cooked) one way, yet will tolerate (even enjoy) in another form? Let me explain. I cannot stand jackfruit. By the way, this is an odd statement coming from someone who belongs to the Indian state of Kerala.
Why? Well, I haven’t so far met another Keralite who dislikes jackfruit, that’s why! Anyone else out there, like me? Raw jackfruit is used a lot in our traditional Palakkad cuisine and I don’t like the fruit whichever way it is cooked. I also dislike the ripe fruit as much, yet I enjoy jackfruit chips (chakka varuval) and jackfruit jam (chakkavaratti). Similarly I do not like raw plantain in any form in which it is cooked yet I love plantain/ banana chips (kaaya varuthathu). I love bananas but do not like the fruit in baked food.
With my daughter Akshaya, it is eggs. She dislikes eggs. Sure, she will tolerate them in cakes, cookies, pancakes and the like as long as she cannot smell or taste them. And she has a nose which is very sensitive to “egginess”.
Yet she loves meringues. She loves them so much that I keep getting demands for them often. They are easy enough to make and only down side about making meringues in Goa, is that the humidity (which is always pretty high) gets to them in a few hours after they’re baked making them sticky. This is usually not a problem as I make small batches which get finished quickly, and Akshaya doesn’t mind eating the slightly sticky ones that do get leftover, the next day.
One thing in the favour of meringues, if you don’t mind eating eggs and are not worried about sugar, these are actually low carb and low fat. Of course, you need an electric mixer to beat these up into fluffy and stiff peaks. I wonder how they made meringues, before electricity.
This is the recipe I use to make meringues. I haven’t changed anything in that recipe so I’m not reproducing it here. I have used it a couple of times before and it has always worked well. I used to pipe the meringues out of a Ziploc bag earlier but I recently bought a set of decorating and pastry tips so I put fluted pastry tip to use this time.
I bake my meringues at 110C (225F) and they’re usually done after about 1 1/2 hours. And another hour in the switched oven makes them perfect. Parchment paper is hard to come by here, so I always lightly grease my baking sheets.
Here are some very useful notes on working with egg whites (Source: American Egg Board) –
Before you start:
Important : Make sure that all bowls, hands, and utensils that might touch the eggs are clean and free from oils.
To separate the eggs, crack them in half and gently move the yolk from one egg shell half to another, allowing the egg white to drip down into a clean container.
Choose a dry day. Humidity is a critical factor in making meringue. Because sugar is hygroscopic (moisture-absorbing), meringues made on a humid day can become limp and sticky.
Bowl size (and shape) matters. For proper aeration, a small mixer bowl is best for up to 3 egg whites; a large mixer bowl for 4 or more egg whites. When beaten, egg whites increase as much as 6 to 8 times in volume. The bowl should be large enough to hold the expanding whites, but not so large that the whites are spread too thin. The bowl should be deep enough for the beaters to make contact with as much of the whites as possible.
Keep the yolks separate from the whites. Fat from egg yolk will prevent egg whites from beating up properly. When separating eggs, take care that no yolk gets in the whites. To avoid an accident, separate each egg white into a cup or small bowl before transferring it to the mixer bowl. Discard any white that has even a speck of yolk in it.
Equipment : Beaters and bowl should be spotlessly clean. Any residue of fat will prevent egg whites from beating up properly. Use a stainless steel or glass bowl. Plastic bowls can retain a film of grease.
Egg temperature : It’s easiest to separate eggs cleanly when they are refrigerator cold. However egg whites whip up to greater volume when they’ve had a chance to warm up a bit, 20 to 30 minutes. Always begin by separating the eggs. Let the whites stand at room temperature while you prepare the baking pan, equipment and other ingredients.
Cream of tartar : The air beaten into egg whites can be lost quite easily. A small amount of acidic ingredient, such as cream of tartar, acts as a stabilizing agent. A bit of lemon juice or vinegar will also work.
Salt decreases egg-white foam stability, so it is not used in meringues.
Add sugar gradually. For optimum volume and smoothest texture, sugar should be added gradually, beginning only after the whites have been beaten to the foamy stage (about double in volume). Adding some or all of the sugar before beginning to beat will result in less volume.
To check if sugar is dissolved : After each addition, whites should be beaten until the sugar has dissolved before adding more. To test, rub a bit of meringue between thumb and forefinger. If sugar is dissolved, it will feel completely smooth. If it feels grainy or sandy, continue beating. Undissolved sugar can cause sugar spots on the meringue surface.
What’s a stiff peak? Hard meringue should be beaten until it appears glossy and stands in tall peaks that do not curl at the tips when the beater or whisk is lifted.
Sugars : Hard meringue is made with a ratio of 4 Tbsp. sugar per egg white. It can be made with any sugar. One cup of superfine sugar or packed brown sugar is equal to 1 cup of granulated sugar; 1-3/4 cups powdered sugar equals 1 cup granulated. Superfine sugar may dissolve more readily and produce a smoother glossier meringue, but volume will not be as great. Powdered sugar contains cornstarch, which may produce a drier meringue.
Mixers : Using an electric portable or stand mixer on high speed is easiest. Meringue can be beaten with rotary beater or balloon whisk, but requires more than average arm strength and endurance.
Shaping : Pipe meringue through a pastry bag for fanciful shapes or fluted edges, or simply spread and shape it with the back of a spoon or a spatula.
Prepare the surface :Baking sheets and pans, even those with nonstick surfaces, should be lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil or lightly greased and floured. Meringues are less likely to stick on lined equipment.
Baking is a misnomer. Hard meringues are not actually baked, but are dried in a 110C (approx. 225F) oven for 1 to 1-1/2 hours.
They are left in the oven after it is turned off to continue drying without browning.
Chewier texture : If you prefer a chewy marshmallow-like center, reduce baking time. After 45 to 55 minutes, begin testing the texture by inserting a wooden pick into the side of the meringue. When baked to your liking, check with an instant read thermometer to see that the internal temperature has reached 160°F (approx. 70°C). Turn oven off and let meringue cool with the door closed.
Lightly browned : If you prefer meringues with some colour, increase the oven temperature to 250°F (approx. 120°C) and bake for 50 minutes or until meringues are delicately browned and a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. When baked to your liking, check with an instant-read thermometer to see that the internal temperature has reached 160°F (approx. 70°C). Turn oven off and let meringue cool with the door closed.
To store : Place baked hard meringue in tightly sealed container, with waxed paper between layers. To re-crisp: If stored meringues lose their crispness, bake in 200°F (approx. 95°C) oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
Sig says
You don’t like Jackfruit? No love from me girl, I haven’t met a jackfruit dish I don’t like. 🙂
Avanika [YumsiliciousBakes] says
It’s weird how Jackfruit is almost a staple in one part of India, and people from another part [like me] have never even tasted it, though seen it around a few times!The cookies look great btw 🙂
jayasri says
hi aparna, it is really really surprising and that too u being a keralite, i love jack fruit !, and about ur cookies they look great !, but, i am like akshayaa…. !!, i have got this egginess…. like her. hey, beautiful pics
Manggy says
Sigh, I don’t think there will ever be a non-humid day here! They made meringues in the past… with plenty of bicep power 😉 Lovely little cookies! 🙂
Prathibha says
They look so yummy Aparna..Nice color..
Swapna says
I love jackfruit! but eggs…me and my son like Akshaya ;)…Meringue cookies looks great…nice click:)
sra says
I was reading meringue and thinking macaroon, so that changed part of the comment I wanted to make! That I had never seen coloured macaroons before.The Spouse doesn’t like drumstick at all, in anything, but he eats sambar flavoured with it and in its pickled form!
Happy Cook says
Planning to make a meringue strawberry cake one of these days, i use vinegear instead of cream of tartar always.I love jack fruit, not too overripe.And love chakka puzhukku too.You know i have not had chakka puzhukku after getting married.Love you meringue cookes. They look beauiful.
Miri says
What a cool idea – to combine meringues with jacfruit – super cool! and you make meringues sound like a piece of cake – maybe I’ll attempt them in November when the weather is cool and dry!Miri
farida says
I love meringues, especially where there is a nice flavor added to it. Great recipe!
Nags says
i totally know what you mean! even i have some vegetables that fall under the list – beetroot and okra to begin with!ps: i love jackfruit! 😀
Vidya says
Lovely cookies, Aparna.
ellie says
And i thought i was the only person with an aversion to egginess!These meringue cookies are such a lovely idea, my sister makes rasperry rippled meringues, they look so dainty and pretty- guess we are lucky here in that the climate never gets in the way!I’ve not heard of jackfruit, does it have another name at all?Lovely post, and your blog is so inspiring!
Lubna Karim says
Oh wow melt in mouth….looks yum….
rekhas kitchen says
yes even i don’t like eggs in every thing in cakes it is OK this recipe sounds yummy and beautiful pic.
Curry Leaf says
wow,lovely.never tried the recipe for meringue.I have heard it could be made using Ener G egg replacer pdr.Never tried thgh.Too tempting
Maya says
These meringues look wonderful!
Nithya Praveen says
Lovely ones Aparna.The information on the temperature,shape etc is pretty informative.Its not that hot right now….so guess its time to bake some 🙂
♥Deeba @Passionate About Bakin says
YAY…I can’t stand jackfruit either & I think it’s because I had an overdose of it in my 5 years at Bangalore. Love those dainty meringues. Pretty & pink…wish I had guarantee of electricity for 1 1/2 hours. Sigh!
The Purple Foodie says
I know what you’re talking about. Although I don’t like jackfruit in its natural form, I love chips and papad made from it. I especially love the seed roasted. Your meringue cookies look gorgeous. Appreciate the detailed instructions.
Butterfly says
I love ur site…saw ur meringue cookies on foodgawker…great pictures!!!
Ramya Vijaykumar says
Oh my I love jackfruit and I am so much deprieved of them now!!! these cookies are looking very cute!!!
Divya Vikram says
Very pretty!
Aparna says
I told you Sig, I am like this only! :DIt’s the same with me, Avanika. There are plenty of things I know of, from other parts of India, that I haven’t eaten either.You aren’t the only who’s suroprised, Jayasri. :)Mark, its pretty humid here too, all year round. The lowest is about 75%! But I persevere.Sra, its the same with us and drumstick. We like the flavour but Akshaya likes it.I’ll wait for that cake. I know you’re going to make it soon. HC, I don’t like chakka puzhukku either. Wow, that’s a loooooong time!Mirir, I didn’t combine jackfruit with meringues. Both are different stories. I guess I confused you.:)Nags, we’re with you on the beets!No Ellie, you’re not alone there.Raspberry rippled meringues sounds interesting.I’m not aware of another name for jackfruit, but you can read about it here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J…I didn’t know you could do that, Sweatha. Is EnerG the same as egg whites in composition? I thought it was made up flours of some sort.I’m lucky, Deeba. I’ve never had problems with electricity either in Cochin or here.Oh yes, Shaheen. I like jackfruit papads too. And the roasted seeds.Thank you, Butterfly.
♥Rosie♥ says
Those meringues look wonderful and I adore the colour!
Sumana Gouba says
hi aparna,they’re fun to make, and I love the way the recipe is written. Tasty and pretty cookies.