Oh My Naan

I've made a few different naan recipes. After making this one though, I can finally stop looking. There is grated garlic IN the dough. Now dip it in curry. Or maybe throw some falafel inside? Or eat it plain like I do.

Everyone in my family likes it a different thickness, and this dough is super easy to please thick and thin naan eaters alike.

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Restaurant Style Garlic Naan - recipe courtesy https://www.cookwithmanali.com/

Makes approx 8, I usually make 10-12

Ingredients:

• 3.25 cups +3-4 tablespoons all purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup water lukewarm

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast

• 1/3 cup milk lukewarm

• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt

• 3 tablespoons oil I used vegetable

• 2 large garlic cloves grated

• nigella seeds/kalonji (I don't add these)

Garlic Butter, to brush on naan (I've made these twice, the first time with just the butter and cilantro, the second time plain. They're delicious however you prefer!)

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro

• 2 teaspoons minced garlic

INSTRUCTIONS

• In a bowl whisk together 3.25 cups all purpose flour with 1 teaspoon salt. Set it aside.

• To the bowl of your stand mixer, add lukewarm water and then add the sugar and yeast. Let it bloom for 5-10 minutes. You will know the yeast is activated when its all bubbly and frothy on top.

• Once the yeast in activated, add to it lukewarm milk, yogurt and oil.

• Add the flour mixture and mix until combined.

• Also add the grated garlic. Start adding the remaining 3-4 tablespoons of flour. Add 1 tablespoon at a time and add more if the flour is too sticky. I added around 3-4 tablespoons flour at this point. The dough will be sticky, so do not add more flour to make it dry. It just shouldn't be very sticky.

• Knead with hands or with the dough hook attachment of your stand mixer for 1-2 minutes until the dough is smooth. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl.

• Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and the the dough rise in a warm place for 60-90 minutes. If it's cold where you live, pre-heat your oven for few minutes and then turn it off. Then place your dough inside the oven (remember the oven should be off!)

• After around 90 minutes, the dough will be more than double in size. Punch the dough lightly to release the air.

• Divide the dough into 8 equal parts (around 100-105 grams each). Dough will be sticky so oil your hands while dividing the dough. Cover the dough balls with a kitchen towel and let them rest for 10-15 minutes.

• Meanwhile melt 3 tablespoons of butter, add minced garlic and chopped cilantro to it. Keep the garlic butter ready to brush on the naan.

• Heat up an iron skillet on medium-high heat. I really recommend using an iron skillet to make these naan. 

• Take a dough ball and roll it into an oval shape, around 10 to 11 inches long and 6 inches wide. Apply little oil on top of the dough before you try to roll it. Also oil your roller. Do not try to roll the dough like you would roll a tortilla/roti/paratha. Simply stretch it length wise and then width wise.

• Dip your finger in water and then sprinkle some nigella seeds on top. This is optional.

• Transfer the rolled naan onto the hot skillet. Let it cook for couple of minutes until you see bubbles on top. Brush the naan at this point with the prepared garlic butter.

• With the help of tongs, remove the naan from skillet, flip and transfer directly to the gas. There will be a little mess as the butter will pour down - don't worry, it's okay. If you want you can cover your burner with aluminium foil before you begin cooking the naan. You can also skip the step of applying butter at this point and apply it directly once the naan is cooked. I like applying it twice -->more garlic flavor!

• Cook the garlic naan for 15-20 seconds (directly on gas) until nicely golden brown from both the sides.

• Remove from heat and brush with more garlic butter.

To Cook Garlic Naan in Oven

• Pre-heat oven to 500 degrees F. Arrange rolled naan on a baking tray and then bake for 4-5 minutes or until golden brown. Remove naan from oven and apply the garlic butter. If you want, you can then place the naan in the oven under broiler to get them charred.