Definition and describtion: Papad

Photo by Archana
Deep fried papadum 

Photo by Archana
Uncooked papadum

Many people have asked me what that cruchy circlicular thing Indian's eat. After thinking about it now I know what they were asking me about. Papad or papadam, is a flatbread wafer used as a side dish in Indian cusine. There are so many variety of papadams, some are plain, and others are seasoned with spices such as black pepper, chilli and cumin, but every single one tastes as good as the other.

Papadam is generally made of flour of rice, lentils, potatoes, chickpeas, or black gram. Papadam generally take up a circular shape. It can either be large or small, if it is made into large softer wafer it can be used as a wrap. The papadam can be heated in several ways. It can be deep fried or it can be roasted, and my grandmother makes the best roasted papadam in the world (just saying).

Photo by SoRMuiJAi
Papadum with rice and curry

You can either eat it with rice and other curry or dipped in chutney or as chips which is what i usually do. Papadam doesn't really have a specific taste to it but once you have had it, it can be very addictive. So the next time you're at an Indian resturant try out the papadam and remember it's a side dish and not as main course.