Starter Naan

I think my first try was awesome

As, I’ve mentioned before I don’t cook a lot of Indian food, I’m trying to change this and Katherine did bring a wonderful cookbook back from her trip to London. But I didn’t really like the flat bread recipe it had. So when I found this Naan recipe over at Something Savory, I decided to give it a try. I used a 50/50 wheat and white flour mixture and nixed the butter to make it healthier, was that a collective gasp I heard? Next time I am keeping the butter. Otherwise I stuck to her recipe.This recipe is no longer available, below is another.

I rolled all of them out first

I used a light dusting of flour to keep them from sticking. By rolling them all out first I was able to keep a closer eye on the frying ones.

Bubbling away

A little butter in the pan would really add to the flavor. The water, brushed on each side with a pastry brush, steams the bread while it fries which is kind of crazy. Tent the finished ones in foil and add a pat of butter in between for extra unhealthy flavor.

• 2 cups flour
• 3 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp yeast
  
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp anise seeds (optional)
• 3 tbsp plain yogurt
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp melted salted butter, for brushing on finished naans
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)

In a medium bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast and 1 teaspoon of the sugar with 3/4 cup warm water. Let it sit until frothy, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 teaspoons of sugar, flour, salt and anise seeds (if using). Set aside. Once the yeast is frothy, add the yogurt and olive oil to it and whisk to combine. Pour the yogurt mixture into the dry ingredients and mix the dough together with a fork. When the dough is about to come together, dust your hand with flour and knead gently into a soft, slightly sticky dough. As soon as it comes together, stop kneading.

Lightly oil or spray a clean bowl with nonstick cooking spray (the bowl should be large enough to allow the dough to double in size). Transfer the dough to the prepared bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel. Let sit in a warm place for 1.5 to 3 hours, or until about doubled in size.

Fill a small bowl with about 1/2 cup flour. Dust a work surface with some of the flour and dump the dough on top. Sprinkle some of the flour on top of the dough and on your hands. Shape the dough into a long rectangle and cut into 6 equal portions, dusting with more flour as necessary so the dough doesn’t stick. Roll each portion of dough in the bowl of flour to keep them from sticking.

Warm a large cast iron or heavy nonstick pan over medium-high heat until very hot. Using a rolling pin, roll one of the dough balls into an oval shape about 1/8-inch thick (it should be about 9 x 4 inches). Pick up the dough and flip-flop it back and forth between your hands to release any excess flour; then gently lay the dough in the dry skillet and cook until the top is bursting with air bubbles and the bottom is golden and blackened in spots, a few minutes. Flip the naan and cook about 1-2 minutes more until the the bottom is lightly browned and blistered in spots. Remove the naan from the skillet and brush with melted butter. Place the naan in a tea towel-lined dish to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining naans, adjusting the heat lower if necessary as you go (I usually find it necessary to lower the heat to medium after the first naan). Sprinkle with parsley, if using, and serve warm.