#Butter Naan (Indian flat bread)

This Indian bread is loved by most of the people everywhere. The traditional way of cooking this bread is in 'Tandoor' which is a kind of barbecue stove. As we are making in home, it can be also done in a simpler way by using very hot "Tawa" (flat frying pan). This can be made with or without yeast. If you are in need of any help in yeast activation process please do checkout my 'Basics of baking' content so that you may get some idea. Few pictures and a video are added for your reference. I hope that you would enjoy doing this. Lets go.... 

Serves :- 3-4 people
Preparation time :- 20 mins
Cooking time :- 1 minute for each pieces
Measurements :- in grams and in spoons

Makes approximately 8 pieces of bread. 

*tbsp - Tablespoon
*tsp   - Teaspoon

Combination 1 (with yeast)

Ingredients

1. Whole wheat flour ( Type 1050) - 150 grams / (¾  cup + 3 tbsp)
2. All purpose flour ( Type 450)   - 100 grams / (½ cup + 2 tbsp)
3. Sugar   - 6 grams / 1 tsp
4. Salt    - 5 grams / 1 tsp
5. Dry instant yeast    - 3.5 grams / ½ tsp
6. Warm milk   - 160 ml  / (½ cup + 3 tbsp)
7. Oil   - 30 ml  / 2 tbsp

Method 

1. In a bowl add warm milk, sugar and yeast. Mix well and keep it closed for 10 minutes so that the yeast gets activated.
2. In another bowl add flour and salt, mix it well. Then add the activated yeast mixture. Now combine all the flour together and start kneading the dough (same as pasta dough method) for 15 minutes. You will start with slightly sticky dough and end up in soft dough. Remember that this step is very important to get a soft bread.
3. Then apply oil on the finished dough, close the bowl with a damp towel, place the bowl in a warm place. Let the dough rest for at least 2 hours to rise and double up in size.
4. Then place the pan (Crepes Pfanne) on the stove and heat it on high heat. It has to be really very hot. 
5. Meanwhile divide the dough into equal parts and make balls of it. Roll it into 2 mm thickness all around evenly. The shape can be round or oval shape (which ever you like).
6. Place the rolled dough on the hot pan and cook each side for 10 seconds. Then turn over and cook again as shown in the video below. 
7. Finally apply butter (may be garlic butter) on it, then if you like sprinkle some black sesame seeds or chopped coriander leaves on it. Serve it hot with any Indian curry you like.  

Combination 2 (without yeast)

Ingredients

1. Whole wheat flour ( Type 1050)   - 150 grams / ¾ th cup + 3 tbsp
2. All purpose flour ( Type 450) - 100 grams / ½ cup + 2 tbsp
3. Sugar  - 6 grams / 1 tsp
4. Salt    - 5 grams / 1 tsp
5. Baking powder  - 6 grams / 1 tsp
6. Yogurt  - 60 ml  /  ¼ cup (room temperature, 3.5% fat)
7. Warm milk   - 120 ml  / ½ cup 
8. Oil    - 30 ml  / 2 tbsp

Method

1. In another bowl add flour, sugar and salt then mix it well. 
2. Next add the room temperature yogurt not the cold one and milk. 
3. Now combine all the flour together and start kneading the dough (same as pasta dough method) for 15 minutes. You will start with slightly sticky dough and end up in soft dough. Remember that this step is very important to get a soft bread.
4. Then apply oil on the finished dough, close the bowl with a damp towel, place the bowl in a warm place. Let the dough rest for at least 2 hours to rise and double up in size.
5. Then place the Tawa (or Crepes Pfanne) on the stove and heat it on high heat. It has to be really very hot. 
6. Meanwhile divide the dough into equal parts and make balls of it. Roll it into 1 mm thickness all around evenly. The shape can be round or oval shape (which ever you like).
7. Place the rolled dough on the hot pan and cook each side for 10 seconds. Then turn over and cook again as shown in the video below. 
8. Finally apply butter (may be garlic butter) on it, then if you like sprinkle chopped coriander leaves on it. Serve it hot with any Indian curry you like.

cover and rest the dough

Divide the dough equally

Roll it to the shape 

Points to remember 

1. The dough has to be slightly sticky dough initially. By kneading the dough continuously it will become soft and smooth dough. If you feel it very sticky add 1 tbsp of flour at a time. But make sure that you do not add too much of flour.
2. While kneading the dough you should not keep on adding the flour. All the adjustments has to be done initially and then start kneading continuously for 15 minutes.
3. You can use choose the flour combination according to your wish. If you go for completely all purpose flour then you need to reduce the milk quantity in the recipe. If you are using completely whole wheat flour then you need to add the milk quantity in the recipe. 

The best combination for Naan is Paneer or meat curry. Enjoy your meal. 😃

For any doubts and questions post it in the comment section below.