Crisp, crunchy, and flavorful, papadums are the perfect bite to have with drinks. And, they are as near as your favorite Indian restaurant.
The ones in the photo are from India Samaraat, and they are peppery and spicy. Other restaurants will have their own version.
How they are cooked also changes from place to place and cook to cook. Some are fried; others are roasted over an open flame.
In the detail section is a link to a wikipedia article with more detail.
They can be broken into pieces and served like chips and take to toppings like chutneys, caramelized onions or well flavored dips.
Packages of papadum, ready to cook, are beginning to appear in well-stocked grocery stores and they are surely in every Indian Market.
Check the ingredient list carefully and you might find some that are perfect for a gluten-free diet.
Here is my favorite Indian cookbook if you'd like to explore cooking it at home.
Details:
India Samaraat
51A Massachusetts Ave.,
Boston, MA 02115
(between Commonwealth and Marlborough)
http://www.indiasamraat.com/
Wikipedia on papadum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papadum
