On Saturday night we decided to make Naan to go with our Tuna Poke. Where exactly does one go to find a recipe for a flatbread that is popular in South and Central Asia? An Asian cookbook? The internet? Both likely sources but we checked our old standby, The Joy of Cooking!* The recipe was super easy and from what I can tell from Wikipedia, fairly authentic.
Ingredients:
2 cups bread flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/8 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/2 cup yogurt or buttermilk (at room temperature)
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon water, as needed
olive oil
Preparation:
1. In larger mixer bowl combine dry ingredients (flour, salt, and yeast).
2. Add buttermilk, melted butter and water (as needed) and mix with dough hook at low speed until a soft ball of dough is formed.
3. Knead at low to medium speed for 10 minutes until dough is smooth and elastic.
4. Coat bowl with oil and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise for 1 1/2 hours.
5. Set a rack at lowest level of the oven and place a baking or pizza stone on the rack. Preheat oven to 475F for 45 minutes. If you do not have a baking stone you can use an inverted baking sheet heated for 5 minutes. (WARNING – do not use baking sheets with silicone handles! They will burn!)
6. Punch down the dough and divide into four equal pieces. Roll into balls, cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
7. On a floured surface, roll out each ball of dough into an oval 8-10 inches long and 1/4 inch thick. Brush the tops with melted butter.
8. Place as many pieces of dough that fit without touching on the baking stone or sheet and bake until puffy and just beginning to turn golden in color (about 6-7 minutes).
8a. You can also cook the Naan on the gas grill at medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes.**
9. Fold over or cut the Naan and place in a cloth-lined basket. Keep covered and serve warm.
*The above recipe was adapted from The Joy of Cooking, 75th Anniversary addition, page 608.
**Unfortunately, our inverted baking sheet had silicone handles that melted and caught on fire. After we set off the smoke alarm we decide to finish the Naan on the gas grill. It was also delicious grilled!
