Dal Nirvana Naan Recipe Without Yeast

NAAN RECIPE (NO YEAST)

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl take ¼ cup fresh curd or yogurt. For a vegan naan, use almond or cashew yogurt.
• Add 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1 pinch baking soda.
• Mix all the ingredients very well till the sugar dissolves.
• Now add 2 cups all-purpose flour (maida), 1 teaspoon salt or add as required.
• Mix again with a spoon so that the salt is evenly distributed in the flour.
• Make a well in the center and add 2 tablespoons oil. Note that you can even add butter instead of oil.
• Add ¼ to ⅓ cup water or add as required.
• First mix and then begin to knead.
• Knead to a smooth and soft dough. If the curd is thick, then you may need to add some more water. In case the dough looks dry, then add some more water and knead. If it becomes sticky, then sprinkle some flour and knead again. You should get a soft stretchy dough.
• Flatten the dough and spread some oil all over the dough. Place in the same bowl.
• Place a moist kitchen towel or napkin completely covering on the dough. Cover the bowl with a lid and let the dough leaven for 2 hours.
• Make medium-sized balls from the dough.
• Flatten slightly and sprinkle some flour on the dough as well as on the rolling board.
• Sprinkle some onion seeds or sesame seeds (black or white) or melon seeds on the rolled dough.
• Roll into a 6 to 7 inches elongated circle.
• Roll the top side to get a tapering edge. You can even gently pull the dough with your hands to get this pointed edge. The naan will have a tear-shaped form.
• Heat a skillet or tawa or griddle and keep it on medium-high to high flame. Place the naan bread ready on the hot tawa or skillet or griddle.
• Keep the flame to medium-high or high and begin to cook the naan bread.
• Let one side get partly cooked. You will see some air pockets on the naan.
• When you start seeing the air-pockets, then flip.
• Now cook the second side on medium-high to high flame.
• Again you will see air-pockets appearing on the second side.
• Flip when you see many air-pockets on the naan and place naan directly on the stovetop flame.
• Grill the first side on the flame till you see some charred spots and blisters.
• Also, roast the edges.
• Turn over and roast the second side too till you see some charred spots.
• Place it on a plate or tray. Spread or brush with some softened butter or melted butter. You can even use ghee (clarified butter or oil for a vegan version. You can even skip using butter or oil entirely.
• Heat the griddle or skillet on a high flame. Place the naan on the hot griddle or tawa.
• You will see some air pockets on the naan.
• Flip the naan bread.
• Cook the second side more than the first side. Please note that on a high flame they will get cooked faster.
• Press the edges with a spatula so that they are also roasted and cooked properly.
• Flip again.
• You can flip again and press the edges for even cooking. Remove and spread some butter or oil. Serve hot. This way make naan with any of the methods. You can even stack cooked naans in a casserole box or roti basket and serve later.
• Serve the naan bread hot or warm with your favorite curry dish - malai kofta or palak paneer or matar paneer or lentils like dal tadka or dal makhani or chole masala or rajma masala or dal bukhara.

WHOLE WHEAT NAAN WITHOUT YEAST RECIPE

Steps:

• Combine flour along with baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar in a bowl. Mix nicely. Make a dent in the centre. Pour curd, and ghee in that dent. Mix well and let it rest for 1 - 2 minutes
• Using one tablespoon lukewarm water at a time form a soft and sticky dough. Knead well for 10 minutes. Naan dough is never dry. It has to be a bit sticky and moist.
• Grease a bowl with a teaspoon of ghee or oil. Transfer the dough into the ball. Cover with a tight-fitting lid or cling foil. Keep in a warm, draught-free place (I prefer inside the oven/ microwave/instant pot) for 1 - 2 hours.
• Combine topping ingredients in a bowl and keep near the gas stove. Keep one bowl of clean water next to it.
• Heat flat cast iron pan/griddle over medium heat. Divide the dough into equal golf ball-sized rounds.
• Gently flatten the dough ball with the pressure of your palm. Next, dip your fingers in water and gently try to shape the naan. Alternatively, you can dust the rolling surface with flour and roll out naan into an oval-shaped bread of 1/4 inch thickness.
• Again, using wet fingers stick a teaspoon of chopped toppings over the naan
• Place the naan on a hot griddle. Cook over medium heat. After a few seconds, naan will puff up and has charred, uneven marks on top
• Now turn the griddle upside down and cook the other side of bread on direct flame till it becomes light golden in color.
• If you are not comfortable flipping the pan, simply put the naan on direct flame-like Chapatis and cook until it gets charred marks on top or cook it covered in the cast iron pan itself.
• Apply some ghee/butter just before serving. Serve Naan warm with any curry of your choice.

QUICK NAAN WITHOUT YEAST

Steps:

• Combine all dry ingredients, and whisk together.
• Create a well in the middle of the dry ingredients, and add the oil and milk. Mix everything together until it forms a ball. Turn out on the counter and knead until very smooth and elastic - at least 5 minutes - adding more flour as necessary.
• Let the dough rest for 10 minutes. Divide into 8-10 equal pieces.
• Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Roll one piece of dough until very thin (less than 1/8″). If the skillet isn't non-stick, melt some butter before each piece. One at a time, cook the naan for about 90 seconds, or until parts are blackening, on each side. When they are done, you can brush them with butter and add seasonings (cilantro, garlic, etc.), if you want.

DAL NIRVANA

Steps:

• Place the lentils in a pot and cover with a couple inches of water. Bring to a boil over high heat and boil until tender (about ten minutes). Drain the lentils in a colander.
• While the lentils are boiling, mince the garlic and peel and grate the ginger (use a small cheese grater). Return the drained lentils to the pot (medium heat) and add the butter, ginger, garlic, cayenne, cumin, salt and pepper.
• Add the can of tomatoes and one cup of water. Stir it all together, bring it to a simmer then reduce the heat to low. Put a lid on the pot and let it simmer for half an hour. The mixture should be soft and thick after a half hour. If it is not, continue to simmer, adding more water if it dries out. You want the end product to be thick, not watery.
• Stir in the evaporated milk or cream and garnish with fresh, chopped cilantro. Serve over rice or with naan bread for dipping!