Garlic Naan......Garlic Flavored Yeast Free Indian Flat Bread

Naan.......A flat Indian Bread which doesn't need much introduction. It is appreciated all over the world. A meal in an Indian restaurant is incomplete without having "Naan" in it. A Naan is an oval-shaped, soft, pillow-like bread which is brushed with butter and pairs well with every Veg and Non-Veg curries . 

Traditionally, Naans are prepared in Tandoor (Clay Oven) on extremely high temperature. Since I don't have that kind of oven I make it in my conventional oven. It can also be made on a stove-top or skillet. There are many variations of Naan. You can flavor it with whatever herb you want and stuff it with your choice of vegetable or meat.  

I always thought making Naan at home is impossible. The texture and taste we get in the restaurant is impossible to replicate. But then one fine day I made "Paneer Makhani" and was thinking it would taste great with "Garlic Naan". It was then I experimented with the recipe of Naan and was quite amazed with the result. 

So let's dig deep into the recipe:

Ingredients:

1. All purpose flour (Maida): 4 cups

2. Yogurt: 2 cups

3. Baking Powder: 1 and 1/2 tsp

4. Baking Soda: 1 tsp

5. Sugar: 1 tbsp

6. Salt to taste

7. Garlic (finely chopped): 5-6 cloves

8. Cilantro (finely chopped): handful

9. Butter: for brushing

10. Warm Milk: for kneading

Method:

1. In a large bowl sift all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and salt. 

2. Add yogurt and stir well with a wooden spatula until the dough comes together. Knead the dough well with your hands by adding few drops of warm milk at a time.

3. Keep kneading until the dough leaves the sides of the bowl. It should be sticky but will form a soft ball.

4. Cover the dough with a damp towel and let it sit in a warm place for at least 2-3 hours or until it gets double in volume.

5. Preheat the oven to 475 F or 250 C.

6. Once the dough gets double in volume punch it down and divide it into equal sized round balls. Dust your work surface with little bit of flour and with the help of your rolling pin roll out each ball into an oval shape. It should be 5-6 inches long and thick enough.

8.  Sprinkle some chopped garlic and chopped cilantro and press it with light hands. This will help the garlic and cilantro to stick to the Naan.

9. Place each Naan on a greased or parchment paper lined baking tray. Brush it with melted butter and put it  in the oven for 3 mins or until you see some bubbles on the Naan.

10. Flip the Naan, brush with melted butter and again bake it for 1-2 mins.

11. Repeat the same process with the remaining balls. Serve hot with curry of your choice.

Note:

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