TAWA NAAN / तवा नान (YEAST FREE NAAN – INDIAN FLAT BREAD)

 
Being the most popular Indian flat bread in the world, I believe Naan needs no introduction. Yet, I don’t mind putting in a few words about it. It is leavened and oven baked flatbread, traditionally cooked in clay ovens. They can also be cooked on a hot skillet or a concave iron griddle called tava
Baking powder is added to the all purpose flour (maida) and then a dough is made using yogurt or milk. This gives greater volume and thickness to the naan. Some people prefer using yeast but those take time. You can call these the instant naans. Once cooked it is served brushed with ghee (clarified butter) or butter. It can be used along with foods such gravy dishes or curries and even tikkas or they can be served stuffed with a filling of your choice. There is a great variety of seasoning/toppings that can be used – nigella seeds, black sesame seeds, white sesame seeds, poppy seeds, chopped fresh coriander, chopped fresh mint or chopped garlic and perhaps raisins or nuts.  Here is how I make this popular bread
 
For the dough
2 cups all purpose flour (plain flour/ maida)
2 tsp Caster Sugar
½tsp Salt
½ tsp Baking Powder
¼ tsp Baking Soda (bi-carb)
½ C – ¾ C Curd (Yogurt)
A few tbsp Milk (to make a soft pliable dough)
4 tsp Vegetable Oil
 
Suggested topping
Nigella seeds
Sesame Seeds
Finely chopped Garlic
Chopped Coriander
Chopped Mint
 
To serve:
 
Sift the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder into a bowl. In a cup mix together the yogurt, milk and oil.
Mix the dry and the wet ingredients together and make a smooth, soft dough. 
Knead well for 7-8 minutes. (although a little sticky dough is fine but feel free to dust a little flour if the dough becomes too sticky)
Place the dough in an oiled bowl and cover with damp cloth. Leave it for at least two hours. (take the time further up for better textured naan)
Make balls from the dough. (about the size of golf ball)
Using a rolling pin, roll the dough balls (use a little dry flour if it sticks to the pin) in oblong shape. 
Roll them gently and not too thin. Sprinkle the toppings of your choice and press them in gently using the rolling pin. 
Gently place the naan over your palm (topping side down) and moisten your other hand with water.
Smear the topping-free side of the rolled naan with your moistened hand.
Flip the naan over the medium hot skillet keeping the topping side up.
Cover the naan with a lid. After a few seconds uncover the naan and cook the topping side directly over low medium flame using tongs or on the skillet.
Once they are cooked and slightly charred remove from fire and smear with butter or ghee and serve!
 
Makes approximately 8 naans (the sized shown in the post)
 
Thanks for visiting and see you again!

9 thoughts on “TAWA NAAN / तवा नान (YEAST FREE NAAN – INDIAN FLAT BREAD)

  1. I LOVE naan, but have never made it at home. One of my favorite restaurants sells theirs for 50 cents/piece, so I always stop by to pick up from them. But? I would love to make it with my own two hands! Great blog…thanks for visiting me today!

  2. This looks delicious! I love naan but have never tried to make it – which sounds like the common theme from the comments. Will be sure to check back and let you know how it went!

  3. Thanks for coming by my blog earlier. I had no idea naan was this easy! I enjoy it at restaurants, but don’t see it in the stores that often. I may have to slow down making cookies to try this out instead.

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