How to Make Naan Bread

Naan bread is a traditional yeast-free Indian bread, similar to pita bread. Traditionally, Naan bread is baked on a griddle in a stone oven, but you can make it in your own kitchen. Serve it hot and fresh with curry or other Indian dishes.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Active dry yeast
• Warm water
• Whole milk
• Sugar
• Beaten egg
• Salt
• Flour
• Garlic, minced (optional)
• Melted butter

1. Place the warm water and yeast in a large bowl. Set it aside until the yeast is dissolved, about 10 minutes.

2. Mix in the milk, sugar, beaten egg, salt. Add flour gradually, mixing as your add, just until the mixture forms a soft dough.

3. Put the dough on a floured surface and knead it until it begins to form a smooth ball, about 5 to 8 minutes. Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover the bowl with a damp cloth. Set the bowl in a warm place and let it until the doug doubles in size, approximately one hour.

4. Punch down the dough and knead in the garlic. Use your fingers to pinch off rolls of dough about the size of golf balls. Roll them into balls with your palms and put them on a tray. Cover the tray with a towel and set it aside to rise about 30 minutes, until the rolls have doubled in size.

5. Punch down the dough with your fists, and knead in the minced garlic until it's blended into the dough. Form the dough into golf ball-sized balls and place them on a large tray. Cover the tray and allow the dough to rise in a warm place one more time until it again doubles in size, approximately 30 minutes.

6. Turn the grill on high and allow it to heat while the rolls are rising.

7. Roll the dough into thin circles and cook each one individually until it's lightly browned and puffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Brush both sides with butter, and flip it over and grill the other side. Continue until all of the rolls are cooked, and serve the Naan bread hot.

Resources

• Naan bread recipe