Hello, Good News! Welcome to another article where I share with you some of the best recipes from around the world. Today, I’m going to show you how to make pandan cookies, a popular treat in Southeast Asia that has a unique flavor and aroma.
Pandan cookies are crisp and crumbly bites that are infused with pandan extract, a green liquid that is derived from the leaves of the pandan plant. Pandan extract has a sweet, floral, and grassy taste that is often compared to vanilla or coconut. Pandan cookies are also topped with desiccated coconut and palm sugar, which add a delicious crunch and caramel flavor to the cookies.
What is Pandan and Where Does It Come From?
Pandan is a tropical plant that belongs to the Pandanus genus, which has over 600 species. The most common one used for cooking is Pandanus amaryllifolius, which is also known as fragrant pandan or pandan wangi. This plant has long, narrow, blade-like leaves that grow in fan-shaped bunches. The leaves have a distinctive aroma that is caused by the compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, which also gives white bread, jasmine rice, and basmati rice their characteristic smell.
Pandan is believed to have originated from the Maluku Islands in Indonesia, where the only known flowering specimen was found. However, it is widely cultivated throughout Southeast Asia and South Asia, where it is used as a flavoring agent in many dishes. Pandan leaves are often boiled, juiced, or used to wrap and flavor meats, rice, desserts, and drinks. Pandan extract is also available in liquid or powder form in Asian grocery stores or online.
What are the Health Benefits of Pandan?
Pandan is not only delicious but also nutritious. It contains various vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can support your health. Some of the health benefits of pandan include:
- Reducing arthritis and joint pain: Pandan oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve symptoms of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
- Preventing heart disease: Pandan leaves are rich in carotenoids, a type of antioxidant that can lower the risk of developing atherosclerosis, which is the narrowing of the arteries due to plaque buildup.
- Managing blood sugar: Pandan tea can help lower blood sugar levels after a meal by inhibiting the activity of alpha-glucosidase, an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into glucose.
- Improving skin health: Pandan leaves have tannic acids that can provide cooling and soothing effects for minor burns, sunburns, and other skin problems.
- Enhancing oral health: Pandan leaves have antibacterial and antifungal properties that can prevent plaque formation and oral infections.
What are Some Other Uses of Pandan?
Pandan is not only used for cooking but also for other purposes. Some of the other uses of pandan include:
- Repelling insects: Pandan leaves have a strong smell that can deter cockroaches, mosquitoes, and other pests. Many people use pandan leaves as natural air fresheners or insect repellents in their homes or cars.
- Making handicrafts: Pandan leaves can be dried and woven into mats, baskets, hats, bags, and other items. The leaves can also be dyed with different colors to create beautiful patterns.
- Practicing traditional medicine: Pandan leaves have been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to treat various ailments such as constipation, boils, colds, flu, and headaches. The leaves can be brewed into tea or applied topically as poultices or compresses.
How to Make Pandan Cookies with Coconut and Palm Sugar
Now that you know more about pandan and its benefits, let’s get to the fun part: making pandan cookies! These cookies are easy to make and require only a few ingredients. Here’s what you need:
| Ingredients | Amount |
|---|---|
| Unsalted butter (room temperature) | 250 g |
| Sugar | 120 g |
| Salt | 4 g |
| All-purpose flour | 300 g |
| Corn flour | 40 g |
| Desiccated coconut (unsweetened) | 80 g |
| Pandan extract | 7-9 tsp |
| Palm sugar (gula Melaka) | 100 g (grated or chopped) |
And here are the steps to follow:
- Preheat oven to 150°C (300°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, use a whisk or an electric mixer to cream the butter, sugar, and salt until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Add the flour, corn flour, desiccated coconut, and pandan extract. Mix well until a soft and smooth dough forms. You can adjust the amount of pandan extract according to your preference.
- Shape the dough into small balls, about the size of a walnut. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between them.
- Flatten the balls slightly with your fingers or a fork. Sprinkle some palm sugar on top of each cookie.
- Bake for about 15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. The cookies will be soft when they come out of the oven but will harden as they cool.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy your pandan cookies with a cup of tea or coffee, or store them in an airtight container for up to a week.
How to Make Your Own Pandan Extract
If you can’t find pandan extract in your local store or online, you can make your own at home using fresh or frozen pandan leaves. Here’s how:
- Cut about 10 pandan leaves into small pieces and place them in a blender. Add about half a cup of water and blend until smooth.
- Strain the mixture through a fine sieve or cheesecloth, squeezing out as much liquid as possible. You should get about a quarter cup of pandan extract.
- Store the extract in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to a month.
- Use the extract as needed for your recipes, adjusting the amount according to your taste.
What are Some Other Recipes that Use Pandan Extract?
Pandan extract is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many different recipes, both savory and sweet. Here are some examples:
- Pandan chicken – A Thai dish where chicken pieces are marinated in coconut milk, fish sauce, garlic, and pandan extract, then wrapped in pandan leaves and deep-fried until crispy and fragrant.
- Pandan cake – A light and fluffy chiffon cake – A light and fluffy chiffon cake that is flavored with pandan extract and coconut milk, and often topped with whipped cream or coconut frosting.
- Pandan kaya – A rich and creamy coconut jam that is infused with pandan extract and eggs, and spread on toast or crackers.
- Pandan ice cream – A refreshing and creamy dessert that is made with pandan extract, coconut milk, cream, and sugar, and frozen in an ice cream maker or a freezer.
FAQs about Pandan Cookies
Pandan cookies can be customized to suit your preferences or to try different flavors. Here are some ideas:
- Add some chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruits to the cookie dough for extra texture and taste.
- Replace the palm sugar with brown sugar, white sugar, or honey for a different sweetness level.
- Use different types of flour, such as whole wheat flour, oat flour, or almond flour, for a different texture and nutritional value.
- Add some spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom, to the cookie dough for a warm and aromatic flavor.
- Drizzle some melted chocolate, caramel sauce, or icing sugar over the baked cookies for a decadent touch.
Pandan cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. You can also freeze them in a freezer bag for up to three months. To thaw them, simply leave them at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving.
To make vegan pandan cookies, you can replace the butter with vegan butter or coconut oil, and use a plant-based milk instead of coconut milk. You can also use a flax egg instead of a regular egg. A flax egg is made by mixing one tablespoon of ground flax seeds with three tablespoons of water and letting it sit for about 15 minutes until it becomes gel-like.
To make gluten-free pandan cookies, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of regular flour. You can also use oat flour or almond flour, but you may need to adjust the amount of liquid or fat in the recipe accordingly. You can also add some xanthan gum or psyllium husk to help bind the dough and improve the texture of the cookies.
To make sugar-free pandan cookies, you can use a natural sweetener such as stevia, monk fruit, or erythritol instead of sugar. You can also use unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana to add some natural sweetness and moisture to the cookie dough. However, keep in mind that these substitutions may affect the flavor and texture of the cookies.
What are some other names for pandan?
Pandan has different names in different languages and regions. Some of the common names for pandan are:
- Screwpine – The English name for the Pandanus genus, which comes from the spiral arrangement of the leaves around the stem.
- Bai Toey – The Thai name for pandan leaves, which means “fragrant leaf”.
- Daun Pandan – The Malay and Indonesian name for pandan leaves, which means “pandan leaf”.
- Rampe – The Sinhalese name for pandan leaves, which is also used in Sri Lanka and India.
- Lá Dứa – The Vietnamese name for pandan leaves, which means “pineapple leaf”.
What are some other plants that have a similar flavor or aroma to pandan?
Pandan has a unique flavor and aroma that is hard to replicate with other plants. However, some plants that have a similar or complementary flavor or aroma to pandan are:
- Vanilla – A popular flavoring agent that has a sweet and floral taste that goes well with pandan.
- Coconut – A tropical fruit that has a creamy and nutty taste that enhances the flavor of pandan.
- Lemongrass – A herb that has a citrusy and refreshing taste that balances the sweetness of pandan.
- Ginger – A spice that has a warm and spicy taste that adds some heat to pandan.
- Mint – A herb that has a cool and minty taste that contrasts the richness of pandan.
What are some other desserts that use pandan as a flavoring agent?
Pandan is a popular flavoring agent for many desserts in Southeast Asia and beyond. Some of the desserts that use pandan as a flavoring agent are:
- Pandan chiffon cake – A light and fluffy chiffon cake that is flavored with pandan extract and coconut milk, and often topped with whipped cream or coconut frosting.
- Pandan kaya – A rich and creamy coconut jam that is infused with pandan extract and eggs, and spread on toast or crackers.
- Pandan ice cream – A refreshing and creamy dessert that is made with pandan extract, coconut milk, cream, and sugar, and frozen in an ice cream maker or a freezer.
- Pandan waffles – A crispy and chewy waffle that is made with pandan extract, coconut milk, and rice flour, and served with butter, syrup, or ice cream.
- Pandan crepes – A thin and delicate crepe that is made with pandan extract, coconut milk, and rice flour, and filled with grated coconut and palm sugar.
What are some other cuisines that use pandan as an ingredient?
Pandan is not only used in Southeast Asian cuisine, but also in other cuisines around the world. Some of the cuisines that use pandan as an ingredient are:
- Indian cuisine – Pandan leaves are used to flavor rice dishes, such as biryani and pulao, as well as desserts, such as kheer and payasam.
- Sri Lankan cuisine – Pandan leaves are used to flavor curries, such as chicken curry and fish curry, as well as desserts, such as wattalapam and kiribath.
- Filipino cuisine – Pandan leaves are used to flavor rice cakes, such as puto and bibingka, as well as drinks, such as buko pandan and sago’t gulaman.
- Hawaiian cuisine – Pandan leaves are used to flavor desserts, such as haupia and mochi, as well as drinks, such as mai tai and pina colada.
- Caribbean cuisine – Pandan leaves are used to flavor dishes, such as jerk chicken and rice and peas, as well as drinks, such as rum punch and sorrel.
How do I grow my own pandan plant?
If you want to grow your own pandan plant at home, you can follow these steps:
- Find a healthy pandan plant or a fresh pandan leaf with a stem. You can buy them from a nursery or an Asian grocery store.
- Cut off the bottom part of the stem, about 10 cm (4 inches) from the leaf base. Remove any lower leaves from the stem.
- Fill a small pot with well-draining soil. Make a hole in the center of the soil and insert the stem into it. Press the soil firmly around the stem.
- Water the plant well and place it in a sunny spot. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. You can also mist the leaves occasionally to keep them hydrated.
- Wait for roots to develop from the stem, which may take several weeks or months. You can check the roots by gently pulling the stem out of the soil.
- Once the roots are established, you can transplant the plant to a larger pot or to the ground. You can also propagate more plants by cutting off some stems and repeating the process.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this article about pandan cookies and learned something new. Pandan cookies are a delicious treat that you can make at home with simple ingredients. They have a unique flavor and aroma that will delight your senses. You can also experiment with different variations of pandan cookies or try other recipes that use pandan extract. Pandan is a versatile plant that has many benefits and uses for your health, home, and cuisine. If you love pandan, you should definitely grow your own pandan plant or buy some pandan extract to use in your cooking. If you have any questions or comments about pandan cookies or anything related to pandan, feel free to leave them below. I would love to hear from you. And don’t forget to check out my other articles for more tips and tricks on how to make amazing dishes from around the world. Thank you for reading!