Plain Naan
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 tsps dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1 1/2 tsps sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
6 tbsps ghee (clarified butter)
3 tbsps yoghurt
METHOD
1. Add the dry yeast and sugar to the warm water and stir till the yeast is dissolved. Cover and leave aside for 10 minutes or until the mixture begins to froth. This indicates the yeast is active. Keep aside.
2. Mix the flour and salt to taste and sift through a very fine seive. Put it into a large mixing bowl and now add the yeast mixture, 3 tbsps of Ghee and all the yogurt.
3. Use your fingertips to mix all this into a soft dough. Once mixed, flour a clean, flat surface (like your kitchen counter) and knead the dough till it is smooth and stretchy (elastic).
4. Grease a large bowl with a few drops of cooking oil and put the dough in it. Cover and allow to rest for about 90 minutes or till the dough doubles in volume.
5. Punch the dough down and knead again for 10 minutes.
6. Equally divide the dough and roll between your palms to form 8 round balls.
7. Lightly flour the same surface on which you kneaded the dough and roll out each ball until you have a circle, 7-8 inches in diameter (1/2 "thick). Gently pull on one edge of the circle to form the Naan into a teardrop shape. Do not pull too hard or you may tear the Naan. Instead of rolling the dough out (with a rolling pin) you can also pat it into a circle with your hands.
8. Preheat your oven 200C.
9. Lay a piece of aluminum foil in an oven tray (to cover) and grease it lightly with a few drops of cooking oil.
10. Place as many Naans as will fit without touching each other, on the tray.
11. Brush each Naan with some ghee all over its surface.
12. Put the tray into the oven and cook till the Naan begins to puff out and get lightly brown. Flip the Naan and repeat.
13. Remove from oven and serve hot in a foil-lined basket.
* I prefered my Naan to be grilled instead bake inside the oven.
To add to taste, I put shredded Cheddar Cheese into individual dough.
Cheezy Naan.
