Naan -A traditional Indian bread dish

Indian CUISINE

Naan

Naan is a leavened bread made from maida, an Indian white flour that is very delicate and powdery, similar to pastry flour. It is eaten most often with curry, used instead of a spoon to sop up all of the sauce and to pick up vegetables (and meat)

Total Time

170 Minutes

Cuisine

Indian

Ingredients

9 Ingredients

Calories

250

Step 1

In a mixing bowl take ¼ cup fresh curd or yogurt. For a vegan naan, use almond or cashew yogurt.

Step 2

Add 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1 pinch baking soda.

Step 3

Mix all the ingredients very well till the sugar dissolves.

Step 4

Now add 2 cups all-purpose flour (maida), 1 teaspoon salt or add as required.

Step 5

Mix again with a spoon so that the salt is evenly distributed in the flour

Step 6

Make a well in the center and add 2 tablespoons oil. Note that you can even add butter instead of oil

Step 7

Add ¼ to ⅓ cup water or add as required.

Step 8

First mix and then begin to knead.

Step 9

Knead to a smooth and soft dough. If the curd is thick, then you may need to add some more water. In case the dough looks dry, then add some more water and knead. If it becomes sticky, then sprinkle some flour and knead again. You should get a soft stretchy dough

Step 10

Flatten the dough and spread some oil all over the dough. Place in the same bowl.

Step 11

Place a moist kitchen towel or napkin completely covering on the dough. Cover the bowl with a lid and let the dough leaven for 2 hours.

Step 12

Rolling Naan Bread Make medium-sized balls from the dough. Flatten slightly and sprinkle some flour on the dough as well as on the rolling board.

Step 13

Sprinkle some onion seeds or sesame seeds (black or white) or melon seeds on the rolled dough.

Step 14

Roll into a 6 to 7 inches elongated circle.

Step 15

Roll the top side to get a tapering edge. You can even gently pull the dough with your hands to get this pointed edge. The naan will have a tear-shaped form.

Step 16

Making Naan On Stove-Top. Heat a skillet or tawa or griddle and keep it on medium-high to high flame. Place the naan bread ready on the hot tawa or skillet or griddle.

Step 17

Keep the flame to medium-high or high and begin to cook the naan bread.

Step 18

Let one side get partly cooked. You will see some air pockets on the naan

Step 19

When you start seeing the air-pockets, then flip.

Step 20

Now cook the second side on medium-high to high flame.

Step 21

Again you will see air-pockets appearing on the second side.

Step 22

Flip when you see many air-pockets on the naan and place naan directly on the stovetop flame.

Step 23

Grill the first side on the flame till you see some charred spots and blisters. Also, roast the edges.

Step 24

Turn over and roast the second side too till you see some charred spots.

Step 25

Place it on a plate or tray. Spread or brush with some softened butter or melted butter. You can even use ghee (clarified butter or oil for a vegan version. You can even skip using butter or oil entirely.

2 cup Maida (refined flour)
2 Tbsp Oil
1/2 Tsp Baking soda
1 Tsp Sugar
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/4 cup Curd
1/2 Tsp Baking Powder
1 Tbsp Sesame Seeds
1 Tbsp Butter