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“Microwaved Pappodums!?! YUCK!”   “Never!”    ”Only a heathen would do such a thing. How DARE you even suggest it!”

Yes – this is the reaction I’ve got from a few people over cooking Pappodums in the microwave. Well, yes, they do taste a little different from deep fried ones, but still very tasty and just as crunchy. As long as you prepare them well and keep a keen eye on them while they’re being zapped. It’s a great lower-fat alternative to deep-frying and I’m personally a little frightened of a big vat of boiling fat teetering on my stove-top!
So go forth and use those shiny metal contraptions laying underutilised on your kitchen bench. Just promise me you NEVER use it to cook a lamb roast. There’s a line people! Don’t cross it!

1. So, first off, grab your packet of Pappodums and lay them in a single layer across a plate/bench/whatever.

2. Grab some olive oil spray and lightly but thoroughly spray one side, then the other.
3. Now take 2 or 3 oiled pappadums and pop them on a plate – if you have some paper towel to put on the plate – even better! Just remember NO MORE than 3 pappodums at a time. They won’t cook correctly if you overload the microwave (see, just like deep-frying. It’s more similar than I thought!)

4. Then, chuck the plate into the microwave and heat them on 100% power for about 40ish seconds. Now – keep an eye on them the whole time! Once the whole surface has become matte and bubbled – that’s when you stop the microwave. Don’t worry if you stop the microwave before it’s finished, just pop them in for a couple more seconds until done.

5. Fish them out of the microwave with a pair of tongs, and pop a few more pappodums and cook again. The plate will get EXTREMELY hot – don’t try to touch it. And remember, once you’ve cooked a few, it will take less time to cook them, because the microwave is already hot.

Enjoy with your favourite curry – and the mango salsa!