SPINACH SALAD WITH TAMARIND DRESSING AND PAPPADAM CROUTONS

Spinach Salad with Tamarind Dressing and Pappadam Croutons image

Yield Makes 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

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For pappadam croutons
About 2 1/2 cups vegetable oil for frying
4 (8-inch) plain or black pepper pappadams
For dressing
2 1/2 tablespoons warm water
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon mild honey
1 1/4 teaspoons tamarind concentrate
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup vegetable oil
For salad
24 cups baby spinach (15 ounces)
2 seedless cucumbers (usually plastic-wrapped; 1 1/2 lb total), quartered lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick slices
Special Equipment
a deep-fat thermometer

Steps:

Fry pappadams:
Heat 1/2 inch oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet (2 inches deep) over moderate heat until thermometer registers 350°F (see cooks' note, below). Fry 1 pappadam, turning over once, until blistered and pale golden, about 1 minute total. Lift pappadam from skillet with tongs, letting excess oil drip back into skillet, and transfer to paper towels to drain (pappadam will crisp as it cools). Return oil to 350°F and fry remaining pappadams, 1 at a time, in same manner.
Make dressing:
Whisk together water, lime juice, honey, tamarind concentrate, and salt in a small bowl, then add oil in a slow stream, whisking until combined.
Assemble salad:
Toss spinach and cucumbers with dressing in a large bowl. Break pappadams into 1 1/2-inch pieces and add to salad just before serving, tossing gently to combine.