Papad is a thin Indian wafer/cracker/flatbread. Recipes may vary, but typically it is made from lentil, chickpea, black gram or rice flour. Salt and peanut oil are added to make a dough, which can be flavored with seasonings such as chili, cumin, garlic or black pepper. Sometimes baking soda is also added. The dough is shaped into a thin, round flat bread and then dried (traditionally in the sun) and can be cooked by deep-frying, roasting over an open flame, toasting, or microwaving, depending on the desired texture.

In Mumbai, where most of us live in apartments with no balconies and no access to the building terrace/roof, a person finds a novel way to dry papads!

Papads are typically served as an accompaniment to a meal. It is also taken as an appetizer or a snack and can be eaten with various toppings such as chopped onions, chutney or other dips and condiments.