Plain Pappadums

Recipes & Uses

Why Keep Plain Papadums in the Pantry?

The classic curry accompaniment
Perfect beside almost any Indian-style curry or dal.

Neutral enough for any dip
Use with sweet, spicy, tangy or creamy accompaniments.

Quick to prepare
Microwave, grill or flash-fry according to the pack directions.

Light and incredibly crisp
A completely different texture from bread or ordinary crackers.

Useful beyond Indian food
Serve with hummus, guacamole, soups and salads.

What Do Plain Papadums Taste Like?

Plain Papadums have a subtle savoury flavour with the characteristic taste of their gram-flour base.

The flavour is intentionally simple.

That's the point.

Rather than competing with the rest of your meal, they provide:

Crunch
Texture
A savoury base

for whatever you choose to serve with them.

How to Serve Plain Papadums

With Curry

Serve alongside:

Butter Chicken
Chicken Curry
Lamb Curry
Chickpea Curry
Vegetable Curry

Break off pieces and enjoy between mouthfuls of curry or use them to scoop up thicker sauces.

With Dal

The contrast between creamy dal and crispy Papadum is particularly good.

Add:

Mango Chutney
Pickle
Raita

for even more flavour.

With Biryani

Serve Papadums beside biryani with:

Cucumber Raita
Mint Chutney
Pickles

for extra crunch alongside the aromatic rice.

Make a Papadum & Chutney Starter

Cook the Papadums until crisp.

Break each one into several large pieces.

Serve with small bowls of:

Mango Chutney
Mint Chutney
Raita
Tamarind Chutney

Place everything in the middle of the table and let everyone help themselves.

It's one of the easiest starters you can put together.

Plain vs Flavoured Papadums

Choose Plain Papadums when you want:

• Maximum versatility
• Chutneys and dips to provide the flavour
• A simple curry accompaniment
• A neutral crunchy base

Choose Garlic Papadums when you want:

• Stronger savoury flavour
• Garlic built into the Papadum

Choose Cumin Papadums when you want:

• Earthy spice flavour
• Aromatic cumin seeds

Plain Papadums are the best choice when you want the accompaniments to remain the stars.

Three Easy Cooking Options

Depending on your preferred method and the pack instructions, Papadums can be:

Microwaved
Grilled
Flash-fried

until puffed and crisp.

They cook very quickly, so watch them closely.

Use Them with Dips

Plain Papadums aren't limited to curry night.

Break cooked Papadums into pieces and serve with:

Hummus
Guacamole
Tzatziki
Yoghurt dips
SpicenEasy Dip Mixes

Their neutral savoury flavour means they can take the place of an ordinary cracker in many situations.

Make Papadum Chaat

Cook the Papadums.

Break them into pieces.

Top with:

Tomato
Red onion
Cucumber
Yoghurt
Chutney

Finish with coriander and a little chilli if desired.

Serve immediately so the Papadums remain crisp.

Add Crunch to Salads

Cook and cool the Papadums.

Break into smaller pieces.

Scatter over:

Chickpea salad
Tomato salad
Cucumber salad
Green salads

just before serving.

Think of them as an Indian-inspired alternative to croutons.

Serve Them with Soup

Try cooked Papadums alongside:

Lentil soup
Tomato soup
Vegetable soup

instead of bread.

Their delicate crispness provides an interesting contrast to a smooth soup.

Beyond Curry Night

Try Plain Papadums with:

• Curries
• Dal
• Biryani
• Chutneys
• Raita
• Hummus
• Guacamole
• Salads
• Soups
• Grazing platters
• Papadum chaat

Plain Papadums are useful because their subtle flavour makes them one of the most flexible crispy accompaniments in the pantry.

Serving Tip

Cook Papadums close to serving time.

They are at their best while freshly prepared, light and crisp.

Storage

Keep uncooked Plain Papadums well sealed in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture.