Cheesy Masala Papad

Papad is an integral part of any Indian meal . Papads are crunchy sun dried fritters served either fried or roasted along with the meal . 

Papads can even be microwaved or even air fried . 

What is papad or pappadum or appalam ?

Papads are prepared out of rolling a dough made using udad dhall flour , moong dhall flour or rice flour along with some spices . The dough is kneaded tightly and then rolled into thin discs like chapati/rotis and sun dried which are then stored for year around . This is mostly a summer activity undertaken by the ladies of the home. 

Now a days we have ladies wing and many small scale home industries which prepare and sell these papads across stores under various  brands with the  necessary hygiene and safety certifications .

What is masala papad ? 

Masala papad is a quick starter or an appetizer served just before the actual meal . A spicy tangy salad type mixture of finely chopped tomatoes, onions , cucumbers, lots of coriander with right amount of salt, red chilli powder , chat masala is spread over the roasted or fried papad and eaten with soups or cocktails/mocktails. 

Preparation Time - 10 mins

Cooking Time - nil 

Complexity- easy 

Ingredients

3-4 Roasted or fried papads 

2 medium sized tomatoes finely chopped 

1 cucumber peeled and finely chopped

1 onion finely chopped (optional - I haven't used).

2 green chillies finely chopped 

2 cheese cubes grated 

Finely chopped coriander 

Pinch of salt 

1/2 tsp red chilli powder

1/4 tsp black salt 

1/4 tsp chat masala 

Jain version- skip the onions 

Vegan version - skip the cheese 

Method 

• In a wide mixing bowl , mix the tomatoes, cucumber, onions with salt, red chilli powder , green chillies, black salt and chat masala and toss it well. 
• Add in the fresh corriander and lightly mix it .
• Lay the papads on a plate , generously spread this salad mixture on the papads, top it with some grated  cheese and some crunchy sev.
• You can also add a few drops of khatta meeta chutney or green chutney too for extra flavor and zing. 
• Yummy masala papad ready. 

Do try the yummy street style Bhelpuri and 

Pani puri also on my blog .

Notes

1. Spread the mixture on the papads just before serving else they will turn soggy and wont taste good .
2. If you are preparing the masala papad for some party , prepare the mixture without adding salt , black salt and chaat masala. Add these and mix just before making the masala papad .
3. Adding salt before hand will tend to release water from the veggies and the salad will be all watery and will be difficult to spread on the papads.
4. I have used udad dhall pepper flavored papad. You can use moong dhall papad or even rice Pappad called khichiiya.