Small Papads

Chitti Appadalu.

Small papads or chitti appadalu as they are called is a deep fried snack made with maida and rice flour. A dough is prepared with the flour and made into small balls. The balls are pounded between two layers of wet cloth to form into papad. The papad are then deep fried until crisp and golden brown.
Makes: around 1 1/2 Cups of Chitti Appadalu.

Ingredients:

Plain Flour or Maida 3/4 Cup
Rice Flour 1/4 Cup
Carom Seeds / Ajwain / Vaamu 1/4 tsp
Sugar a small Pinch
Ghee 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil for Deep Frying

Method of preparation:

Warm up ghee to melt it.
Bring to boil around half a cup of water and keep aside.
Sieve maida and rice flour well.

In a mixing bowl, add maida, rice flour, ajwain, sugar, salt and ghee.
Using hands mix everything well.
Pour sufficient amount of hot water into the mixing bowl and knead the mixture into somewhat tight dough (more tighter than chapati dough).
Cover the dough and rest it for an hour.
Divide the dough into small peanut sized portions.

Spread a damp thin cloth on table.
Arrange all the divided portions on the cloth leaving enough space in between.
Spread another damp thin cloth on top of all the arranged balls.
Now hardly pound on each one of the small balls for them to expand into small papads.
Use the help of a thick steel glass or flat heavy bowl or flat spatula or wooden block to do the job.
Carefully remove all the small papads and place them on a plate.
Repeat the same with any remaining portions of the dough if required.

Heat oil in a deep frying pan on medium heat.
When oil gets hot, carefully drop all the prepared papads at once (if there is space in the wok).
Deep fry them on until they crisp up and turn light golden brown.
Serve small papads / chitti appadalu as a snack or use them for chaat.
Notes: Make sure the papad are crisp enough before removing from heat.

Suggestions: If the small papads / chitti appadalu are not crisp enough, put them back into hot oil and deep fry them till done.
Variations: There are tens of variations to this chitti appadalu recipe. A very small pinch of soda bi carb can also be added if desired. Ground black pepper can be added for heat. Turmeric powder can be added for color.
Other Names: Chitti Appadalu.