"Make lip-licking naans that are thin, tender and chewy, with perfectly-puffy blisters, just like in Indian restaurants. The flavour of these buttermilk naans is slightly tangy and so delicious with a slick of salty butter. Use them to scoop up your favourite curries, or dunk them in daal for a a comforting meal — you won’t believe they aren’t from a restaurant!"
Buttermilk Naan
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- Recipe Card
Prep time 20mins
Cook time 20mins
Serves or Makes: 10 naans
Recipe Card
ingredients
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 6 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 teaspoon kalonji, (nigella seeds)
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
Method
Step 1
In a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and optional kalonji seeds. Give it a quick stir and then add the oil and buttermilk. Mix to form a wet, shaggy dough.
Step 2
Now, either by hand or using the dough hook attachment of your stand mixer, knead the dough until soft and smooth. This will take 6-7 minutes by hand or 3 minutes in the stand mixer running at medium speed. Cover the dough with a damp cloth or tea towel and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
Step 3
Divide the dough into 10 equal portions and roll into balls.
Step 4
Heat the frying pan or tawa (not a non-stick pan) over a medium heat. It should be scorching hot. It's a good idea to open a window at this point.
Step 5
On a very lightly floured surface, roll one of the dough portions into a round-ish shape. It doesn't have to be perfectly round. You could also roll it into an oblong or teardrop shape. The choice is yours. The most important thing is that the surface is of an even thickness so it all cooks evenly. Aim for a thickness of about 1/2 cm.
Step 6
Use your fingers to sprinkle and lightly spread water on the entire surface of the naan. Be gentle, you don't want to tear the naan or rub it in.
Step 7
Carefully, using two hands, pick the naan up and place it water-side down on the hot pan. It will sizzle and bubbles will quickly begin to appear on the naan. Allow to cook for 15-20 seconds.
Step 8
Using a heatproof glove, grab the pan handle and carefully tip it upside down to cook the uncooked side directly over the open flame. It will take 20-25 seconds to puff up and blister.
Step 9
Remove the naan from the head and use a metal spatula to carefully unstick and lift the naan from the pan. It should come away fairly easily and be nice and charred on the bottom. Wrap it in a dry tea towel to keep warm while you roll and cook the rest of the naans. Keep them together, wrapped in the tea towel until you're ready to serve.
Step 10
Brush the naans with melted butter before serving.