Naan bread recipe is one of the popular indian bread recipes. Nan recipe is a roti(bread) recipe from the north indian state of Punjab. Tandoori Naan(also spelt as nan) is made using plain flour and is baked in big barrel sized mud ovens called Tandoor. Naan is served with curry.

Apart from plain nan, butter naan, garlic naan are also made. The shape of the naan is generally oblong or oval. Though it is a flat bread, it is shaped by hand instead of using a rolling pin.

There are many naan recipes. This naan recipe is the one I usually use. I find it easy and my daughter loves the naan bread made this way. I am using a girdle to cook naan. You can also make nan in oven. Naan should be eaten hot.

How to make Naan Bread

Ingredients:

• Plain flour(maida) - 2 cups.
• Vegetable oil - 1 table spoon.
• Salt - 1 tea spoon or to taste.
• Baking powder - 1 tea spoon.
• Sour curd (yogurt) - 1/2 cup
• Water - ½ cup or as needed.
• Some plain flour for dusting.

Preparation

• Mix flour, salt, baking powder, curd, salt and oil in a big bowl.
• Add water little by little and form soft dough. The dough should not be too tight.
• Knead well. Keep aside in a warm place for 3-4 hours or more, till the dough rises.

Making Naan:

1. Knead the dough again till it is smooth.
2. Divide in 4 big portions.
3. Sprinkle a little flour on the board. Place a dough ball on it and pat in a thick oblong or round shape as you like. You can also use a rolling pin if you wish.
4. Heat girdle(tava). Place the rolled naan on it and cook on both sides till brown spots appear.

Smear a little butter on the naan and Serve with any curry, raita, pickle, bowl of yogurt etc.

Tips

1. The above recipe is the traditional naan recipe using only plain flour(maida). I use whole wheat flour and plain flour together to make it healthier.
2. Traditionnaly nan is cooked in a tandoor oven which is made of clay. Tandoors are available for home cooking. you may use one of those.
3. You may use your electric oven too.

Tips about fermenting dough:

4. The time for fermentation may depend on the climate where you live. In warm weather, the dough will rise faster. If the weather is cold, fermentation may take longer. In that case, keep the dough in a warm place. You may wrap something warm around the container of dough such as an old sweater or blanket.
5. The sourness of the curd (plain yogurt) helps in fermenting the dough faster. Vegans may omit curd and add a little more baking powder.
6. You may use 1 tsp yeast dissolved in warm water for fermentation instead of baking powder if you wish.

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