Quick Pappadams

We had already decided dinner was going to be an easy affair tonight - middle of the week syndrome, all feeling tired, this along with a special masked mission (after work) of delivering birthday gifts to our sister in law Vicky, another one of our family members celebrating their special day in isolation. So it was swiftly up to the front door, ring the door bell and then run back to the other side of the front fence to yell Happy Birthday (loudly as the masks tend to muffle you) as she opened the front door.

Back home and it was just a matter of reheating a couple of curries that we had frozen, steaming some rice and cooking up some Pappadams. You've got to have Pappadams with curry right? Especially as most Pappadams are Gluten Free so they fit in perfectly to add to an Indian Feast when the whole family is sitting down together.

So what are Pappadams? Indian Pappadams are paper-thin, crisp wafers that have a lovely nutty flavor. They are generally made from lentil, chickpea, or rice flour, they’re available in various sizes. The majority of supermarkets stock plain flavoured Pappadams but if you can got to an Asian grocers you may find them accented with cumin, pepper, garlic, or chilli. They are usually served as part of a meal or even as served as a snack accompanied by chopped onions, chopped carrots, chutneys dips and other condiments.

If you read the packet instructions or google cooking Pappadams you will generally find that you will be instructed to heat a large amount of oil in a pan or a wok, heat to a high temperature and quickly drop the Pappadams in one by one to fry and promptly puff up into a light crisp wafer. You have to work fast as you are dealing with hot oil, which could burn or you could even burn yourself. To be honest I am not a fan of this cooking method for various reasons - the danger factor, the fact that it's a waste of oil, and of course, due to the added fat to the delicate flavour of the Pappadam and to my waistline.

Needless to say, the way that we cooked them is quick, simple and healthier. We use the paper towel, a microwave and a sparse amount of cooking spray. One minute (depending on your microwave) and you could have 3 or 4 Pappadams cooked at a time.

Quick Pappadams

Serves: 4

💚 1 sp per serve

💙 1 sp per serve

💜 1 sp per serve

4 Pappadams

cooking spray

Put a couple of piece on the glass turntable inside the microwave.

Place a couple of pieces of paper towel on the kitchen bench.

Lay the Pappadams in a single layer on the paper towel and lightly spray with cooking oil. Flip and spray other side.

Place the prepared Pappadams on the microwave turntable in a single layer ensuring that they do not touch.

Microwave for 1 minute on high (depending on your microwave of course).

Repeat this process if you require more than four Pappadams

Serve with your favourite curry or condiments.