BUTTER NAAN

NAAN
BUTTER NAAN

      Naan has made its mark in South Asian Cuisine through centuries.  History says it originated in the Imperial courts of Delhi.  It flourished and spread during the reign of Moguls. Though commonly related to Indian Cuisine, it's found in Northern Area of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and surrounding areas. In Turkic languages, such as Uzbek, Kazakh and Uyghur, the flat breads are commonly known as NAAN.    
     Basic Ingredients for Naan is usually All-Purpose Flour, Milk, Butter/Ghee, Sugar, Salt and Dry Yeast.  Some recipes call for Baking Powder.  Adding Milk to knead the dough gives a perfect volume and thickness to the bread.  Traditionally Naan is cooked in a 'TANDOOR'.  But it can be baked in an electric oven or it can be cooked on a hot griddle. It is served hot with a blob of butter over it or ghee brushed over the bread.
     This is Butter Naan recipe and what makes it different from Plain Naan is the amount of  BUTTER added while kneading the dough and how the Butter Naan is served.  Obviously, it is served with a hearty blob of Butter or served hot, brushed with ample of Butter. The fresh aroma of Butter makes this Naan a delicacy of its own.      
      Though believed to have originated in India, it has found its place in most of the South Asian restaurants and homes around the globe. From a basic Flat Bread, it has taken different variations by experimental chefs and food enthusiasts.  Transformed into more flavourful creations with innovative fillings to suit the palate.

There are many variations of Naan, such as :
  • Plain Naan – the simplest form served as such.
  • Butter Naan – which is brushed with ghee or butter.
  • Garlic Naan – topped with crushed garlic and butter.
  • Kulcha  – topped with onions/scallions.
  • Keema/Afghani Naan – filled with minced lamb.
  • Roghani Naan – sprinkled with sesame seeds.
  • Peshawari Naan and Kashmiri Naan –  slightly sweeter version, filled with a mixture of nuts and raisins/dates.
  • Paneer Naan – stuffed with a Paneer and flavoured with mild condiments.
  • Amritsari/Aloo Naan – stuffed with mashed potatoes and spices from Amritsar, India. 

Cuisine : North India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Uzbekistan, TajikistanCourse : Main Course
Difficulty : Medium
Serves : 3-4
Yields : 24 Pieces of Naan
Author : SM

Preparation Time : 15-20 Minutes
Leavening Time : 3-4 Hours
Cooking Time : 20 - 30 Minutes

HOW TO MAKE BUTTER NAAN


INGREDIENTS :

 

For Butter Naan:


All Purpose Flour/Maida - 3 Cups
Baking Powder -  2 Tspns
Curd / Yogurt - 1/2 Cup
Milk - 1/2 Cup
Butter - 4 Tspns
Sugar - 2 Tspns
Ghee/Oil - 4 Tspns

Yeast Mixture :

Yeast - 1/2 Tspn
Warm Water - 1/4 Cup
Sugar - 2-3 Tspns.

 

METHOD:

  • Activate the Yeast in 1/4 a cup of Warm Water along with 2-3 teaspoons of Sugar and leave it aside to ferment.
  • Sieve the Flour along with Baking Powder and Salt once.  
  • Add Sugar and Butter to the flour and mix well.  
  • Make a well in the centre and pour the Curd and Yeast mixture.
  • Make a soft dough by adding the required amount of milk, little by little.
  • Add melted Ghee/Oil to the dough and knead it again for 3-4 minutes until the dough is pliable.
  • Cover the dough with a wet cloth and keep it aside for 4 hours or until the dough doubles up.
  • Once the dough has doubled up, knead it again. Keep it aside for an hour(if time permits).
  • Take one big orange sized amount of dough and roll it out, as for chapatis, but a little thicker.  
  • Cut it into half or you can roll it out into triangles, or into teardrop/oval shape.
  • It can be rolled into a circle and then cut it into two/four or roll it out into any desired shape.

Cooking on a Griddle : 

* On Direct Flame :

  •        Heat the griddle.
  •        Roll Naans into oval/teardrop shape or cut them it into two/four from a circle or roll it out into any desired shape.
  •        Brush water over one side of the Naan and carefully press it to the griddle.
  •        Invert the griddle and cook one side of Naan over the direct flame to give it a Tandoor effect.
  •        Flip up the griddle and then brush water over to the other side of the Naan.
  •        Now cook the other side of the Naan over direct flame briefly.

* Over a Griddle:

  •        Heat the griddle.
  •        Roll Naans into oval/teardrop shape or cut it into two/four from a circle or roll it out into any desired shape.
  •        Placed the rolled Naans over the griddle.  Let the flame be at the high.
  •        Wait until the bubbles start to form over the Naans.
  •        Now lower the flame, flip and cook the other side of the Naan for few minutes.
  •        Serve hot as such or brush Ghee over the Naan or serve it along with a blob of butter.

*Baking in an Oven : 

  •        Preheat the oven to 180 Degree Celsius. 
  •        Place the rolled Naans on the baking tray.  
  •        Bake them in the preheated oven for about 4-5 minutes.  
  •        Flip and bake them again for about 3-5 minutes.  
  •        Remove the Naans from oven and then brush butter/ghee over it.

Side dishes for Butter Naan:

               Naan can be served with a wide combination of Vegetarian/Non-Vegetarian Side dishes. All taste great with Naan. Can also serve Butter Naan along with dry side dishes like Tandoori Chicken, Chicken/Veg/Paneer Tikka or Koftas.
Butter Chicken/Murg Makhani, 
Chicken Tikka Masala, 
Chicken Shahi Korma,
Zafrani Chicken Korma,
Dahiwala Chicken,
Tomato Chicken,
Chicken Kurma,
Mutton Rogan Josh, 
Lamb Korma, 
Mutton-Do-Piyaza, 
Green Peas Masala, 
Paneer Makhani, 
Matar Paneer Masala, 
Kofta Curries,
Kashmiri Dum Aloo,
Dhal Makhani, 
Rajma Masala,  
Dhal Tadka,  
Chana Masala, 
Amristari Chole, 
Moong Dhal Fry   

NOTES:

  •        Sifting the dry ingredients once makes the flour lighter and combines all ingredients evenly.
  •        This also helps you to get a soft & pliable dough.
  •        Can use water or milk to knead the dough. Add little at a time.
  •        Iron griddles work best to make Naans rather than Non-Stick griddles.
  •        Smear some fresh butter/ghee over hot Naans before serving. 
  •        Goes well with Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian Gravies.

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