Garlic Butter Naan ( on tawa )/ supersoft naans /step by step recipe

Here is a simple recipe of Garlic Butter Naan ,which can be made easily and without any oven or tandoor. It can be made it with a few simple ingredients,which are usually available in our kitchen. It is packed with taste ,nutrition and freshness of home cooked food and the flavour of fresh garlic.

It tastes no less than the one from your favourite restaurant and much cheaper too, but unlike restaurant bought naans,it remains soft for longer. I had one left in my fridge for three days, and even after three days,it was as soft as fresh. Just a few seconds of reheating was needed. 

If you don't like the garlicky smell, you can make plain naan, methi naan or even mint naan with the same dough. simply brush plain butter for plain naan, crushed mint mixed butter for mint naan or crushed methi leaves mixed butter for methi naan. 

These naans can be prepared beforehand and kept in fridge....only you have to put a piece of aluminium foil or butter paper in between the rolled naans. Thaw them before eating and cook as described below.

Without wasting more time, let us start preparation for our supersoft garlic butter naa

To make our naan, we will need.....

• 3 cups maida...about 400 grams (all purpose flour) and a little extra (you may need while kneading)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup Lukewarm milk (about 8 ozs)
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 3 teaspoons plain yoghurt (dahi)
• 3 tbsp any white oil....soya,sunflower,canola or any
• 2 tbsp crushed or grated garlic ...about 12/14 flakes
• 1 tbsp nigella seeds...to sprinkle
• half a cup finely chopped coriander leaves or cilantro ...to sprinkle
• 3 tbsp butter (room temp) ....to brush over the naans

Gadgets you will need... non stick pan or iron skillet , a spatula, basting brush and a chapati wire mesh

Step 1.... prepare the dough

•   Take a big bowl and sieve the flour and salt in it and keep aside.
•   Add the sugar and yeast with the warm milk and rest it in a warm place for about 10/15 minutes   or till   the yeast activates. I preheated my microwave for 30 seconds and kept the milk in it. it   worked out   very well. You will know,when it is bubbly and frothy on top.
• Once the yeast is activates, transfer the mixture into a bigger bowl and add the yoghurt and oil in it. mix lightly.
• Add this liquid to the flour and salt mixture and start kneading. 
• Add half the garlic too.
• Knead well. If it is too sticky, you can add a little more flour.
• The dough will be sticky, but do NOT add too much flour to make it dry and firm. Add just as much flour,as needed for making the dough not too sticky.
• Knead the dough for a few minutes more . Once it is done, rub it with a little oil and keep it in a warm place ,covered . Here again, you can make use of your microwave oven.
• Let the dough rest for at least 2 hours. It will become double in size, as it has become aerated. Punch it lightly to release the air and knead again for 2/3 minutes.
• Make equal sized balls from the dough. Your dough should yield about 6 or 7 naans. Your dough will tend to stick to you hand because,it is very soft. 
• Cover the balls with a wet towel and keep aside in a warm place for 10/15 minutes.
• In the meantime, prepare your garlic butter.

Step2 .... Garlic butter

• In a small glass bowl , melt the butter in microwave (30 secs) . when it melts,add the rest of the garlic and mix well. Keep it aside along with basting brush. you will need it to brush on the naans,when they are ready.

        Let us start preparing the naans. 

        I made these naans on non stick pan. You can make them on an iron skillet too.

 

Step3 ...Rolling the naans

• Roll each ball into an oval shape. Apply a little oil on the balls before rolling. Naans will be about 8/9 inches long and 5/6 inches wide.        
• Rub a little water on one side of the naans, sprinle some nigella seeds over it and transfer the naan to the frying pan / skillet. 
• Let it cook for a couple of minutes. You will see bubbles appear on the surface of the naan.
• Flip it and cook for a few seconds on the other side too
• Transfer the halfcooked naan onto the wire mesh and roast lightly over direct flame. Cook on both sides. Brown spots will start appearing and it will get cooked well from inside. It takes about 20/30 seconds.  Prepare all the naans in the same way.
• Transfer the naans to a Dish /tray and generously brush garlic butter on it. Sprinkle some chopped cilantro on top.
• Your garlic butter naan is ready to serve. Enjoy it with a vegetarian or non vegetarian dish of your choice.