How to Make Appalam in the Microwave: A Quick and Easy Guide

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I have always been a fan of crispy and crunchy snacks, and one of my all-time favorites is appalam, a popular South Indian snack. Appalam, also known as papad, is a thin, disc-shaped cracker made from lentil flour. Traditionally, it is made by sun-drying the dough, but today I am going to share with you a quick and easy way to make appalam in the microwave.

Gather the Ingredients

Before we get started, let’s quickly go through the ingredients you will need to make appalam in the microwave:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of lentil flour (you can use urad dal or moong dal flour)

  • 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds

  • 1 teaspoon of black pepper (optional)

  • 1 teaspoon of salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon of asafoetida

  • 1/2 cup of water

  • Oil for greasing

    • Now that we have all the ingredients ready, let’s dive into the process of making appalam in the microwave.

    Prepare the Dough

    To begin, take a large mixing bowl and add lentil flour, cumin seeds, black pepper (if using), salt, and asafoetida. Mix all the dry ingredients well until they are evenly combined.

    Next, slowly add water to the mixture while continuously stirring. The goal is to achieve a dough-like consistency that is neither too dry nor too sticky. Adjust the amount of water as needed.

    Once you have the right consistency, knead the dough for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and pliable. If the dough feels too sticky, you can add a little more flour to balance it out.

    Shape the Appalam

    Now comes the fun part – shaping the appalam! Take a small portion of the dough and roll it into a ball. Dust your working surface with some lentil flour to prevent sticking.

    Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough ball into a thin, circular shape. The thickness should be around 2-3 millimeters. Make sure the edges are smooth and even.

    Tip:

  • If you find it challenging to roll out the dough, you can place it between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper to prevent sticking.

    • To add a decorative touch, you can use a fork to create small prick marks all over the appalam. This not only looks visually appealing but also helps to prevent it from puffing up while cooking.

    Repeat the process with the remaining dough until you have shaped all the appalams.

    Cook in the Microwave

    Now that the appalams are ready, it’s time to cook them in the microwave. For this, you will need a microwave-safe plate and some oil for greasing.

    Place the rolled appalam on the greased plate and brush a thin layer of oil on both sides. This will help in achieving that crispy texture we all love.

    Tip:

  • If you want to add some flavors to your appalam, you can sprinkle some chili powder or chaat masala on top before cooking.

    • Once you have greased the appalams, arrange them on the plate in a single layer, making sure they are not touching each other. Overcrowding the plate will prevent even cooking.

    Now, it’s time to pop the plate into the microwave. Set the microwave on high power and cook for about 1-2 minutes. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the wattage of your microwave, so keep a close eye on the appalams.

    After the initial cooking time, flip the appalams and cook for another 1-2 minutes. The appalams should turn golden brown and crisp. If they still feel soft, you can microwave them for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute.

    Tip:

  • Keep in mind that microwaves vary in strength, so it’s a good idea to do a test batch to determine the exact cooking time for your microwave.

    • Once the appalams are cooked to perfection, remove them from the microwave and allow them to cool completely. As they cool down, they will become even crispier and more enjoyable.

    Serve and Enjoy

    Now that your homemade appalams are ready, it’s time to serve and enjoy them. They make a great accompaniment to any meal or can be enjoyed on their own as a snack.

    Serve the appalams with your favorite chutney, pickle, or dip. They are a perfect addition to a party platter or can even be packed in your lunchbox for a midday crunch.

    So, the next time you are craving some crispy snacks, give this quick and easy appalam recipe a try. With just a few simple steps and the convenience of the microwave, you can enjoy homemade appalams in no time.

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