Naan

Posted on: Thu, 09/05/2019 - 09:14 By: nedolaanen
Naan bread

Naan is a leavened bread officially made from maida, an Indian white flour that is very delicate and powdery, similar to pastry flour. It is eaten most often with curry. Naan is usually cooked quickly in a hot tandoor, a cylindrical clay and brick oven with a dome-shaped top. Since this type of oven has an open flame, temperatures are often in excess of 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Typically, the dough is hurled towards the wall of the oven, where it sticks. There, the bread bakes until it puffs up and chars slightly in spots, and then is removed from the oven with a stake. If making naan at home, it’s also possible to use a regular oven; just like with a tandoor, make sure to bake until browned and crisp in spots.

 

This recipe is voor 5 pieces and preperation time is 40 minutes.

 

Ingredients:

  • 250 gr plain flour
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • 120 ml milk
  • 2 tbsp sunflower oil, plus extra for greasing
  • nigella seeds, poppy seeds or sesame seeds, or chopped garlic and fresh coriander for topping
  • 1 tbsp butter, melted, to serve

 

Preparation method:

  1. For the dough, sift the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder into a bowl. In another bowl, mix together the milk and oil.
  2. Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture and pour in the liquid mixture. Slowly mix together the dough by working from the centre and incorporating the flour from the edges of the 'well', to make a smooth, soft dough. Knead well for 8–10 minutes, adding a little flour if the dough is too sticky.
  3. Place the dough into an oiled bowl, cover with a damp tea-towel and leave in a warm place for 10–15 minutes. Form the dough into five balls.
  4. Preheat the grill to medium and place a heavy baking sheet on the upper shelf of the grill to heat.
  5. Roll the dough balls out quite thinly, ideally in a teardrop shape or just round. Sprinkle over your chosen topping and press into the surface of the dough. Place the naans onto the hot baking sheet and grill for 1–2 minutes, or until lightly browned. Brush with butter and serve hot.

Note: naan you can also make gluten free; replace plain flour with chickpea flour and you can buy gluten free baking powder.