Hi Onion B,
Simply whack 'em in really hot oil (i.e just below smokling point). An inch, or so, in depth, in a frying pan, will suffice. Keep them submerged with a fork (or something similar). They should immediately (i.e within a couple of seconds or so) swell/puff up, to twice the size (test that they do this, first, with a small piece of a poppadom). Turn them (using two forks, for example) and cook them for another second or so. Remove them and place them (preferably vertically), on kitchen roll, to drain.
Either eat them immediately or keep them in a warming drawer (the oil won't drain, it will simply be absorbed into the poppadom).
As Phil says, if you're having to cook them, for more than about 4 seconds (total), then your oil isn't hot enough.
Patak and Sharwoods are very good (in my opinion)...and readily available from most supermarkets (albeit a little pricey compared to alternatives from Asian stores....which often have weavles in, I find...eeeeks)
