Missing that soft, pillowy goodness of butter naan and having no tandoor or oven at home, you're not alone. Naan is the Indian flatbread mostly associated with eating out at restaurants or on special occasions. What few know is that you can easily make naan at home on a tawa. Whether you want to throw a dinner party or just step up your weeknight meal game, knowing how to make naan on a tawa can make all the difference. This technique is by no means out of reach, and the result will be naan as good as you get in your local Indian restaurant. Let's dive into what naan is and how you can master the art of making it on a tawa.
What is Naan?
Naan is a leavened flatbread traditionally baked in a tandoor, a cylindrical clay oven that imparts the bread with a charred and smoky flavour. Originally from South Asia, it is a staple in most Indian, Pakistani, and Middle Eastern cuisines. Naan is known for its soft, fluffy texture and slightly crispy edges, making it perfect for accompanying dishes like rich curries or grilled meats.
Butter Naan is made from all-purpose flour, yoghurt, yeast, and a touch of sugar to add some sweetness to it. Knead the dough, allow it to rise, shape into rounds or ovals, and bake. Although tandoor ovens are usually found in restaurants, not many home cooks have one. Thankfully, butter naan can also be easily made on a tawa with fabulous results.
How to Make Naan on Tawa
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup yoghurt
1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup warm water, plus extra if needed
2 tablespoons oil or melted butter
Optional: garlic, herbs or seeds for topping
Method:
Prepare the Dough
In a small bowl, combine the yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it froths up.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yoghurt, yeast mixture, and oil or melted butter. Mix until a dough is formed.
Knead the dough for about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. If the dough is too dry, add a little more water; if too sticky, add a bit more flour.
Cover with a damp cloth; let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.
Shape the Naan
Once risen, punch down the dough to release the air. Then divide into 6-8 equal portions and shape into balls.
Envelope each ball into an oval or round shape, on a lightly floured surface, to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. If desired sprinkle some garlic, herbs, or seeds on top and lightly press them into the dough.
Cooking on Tawa
Heat a tawa or griddle over medium-high heat. Once hot, put the rolled dough on the tawa.
Cook for 1-2 minutes until you see the top start to form bubbles. Flip the naan and cook the other side until it develops brown spots and is cooked through.
Brush the naan with melted butter or ghee right after it comes out from cooking. Serve the naan warm, with your favourite dishes.
Dishes to pair with Naan
Butter Naan is quite versatile since it goes well with many dishes. Here are a few great options you can pair with this bread
Butter Chicken: A creamy rich sauce like that used in butter chicken goes very well with this bread.
Palak Paneer: This is also very good since the naan will sweeten the spicy taste of spinach and cottage cheese.
Dal Makhani: The filling of lentils, coupled with a creamy butter sauce, the Dal Makhani balances very well with naan.
Rogan Josh: A classic lamb curry with bold spices that match with the soft naan.
Choley: Very famous in Punjabi cuisine, for which naan would be a perfect bread item to soak up the heavy flavours of it.
This tawa butter naan recipe is not only extremely simple but totally satisfying, as it gives you restaurant-quality bread from the comfort of your home. So enjoy it and try out different toppings and pairings to make your meals special.