Naan (food)
Naan is a type of bread that is usually eaten as an accompaniment to hot dishes in South Asia ( India , Pakistan , Bangladesh ), Central Asia ( Afghanistan , Uzbekistan , Tajikistan ) and the Middle East ( Iran , Turkey ). Naan has a flat, flat cake-like shape that you pull out a little before baking. The inner part is flat while the outer edge remains a little thicker. It is similar to a pizza base or, in terms of taste, also to stick bread . Naan is easy to confuse with Kulchawhich, however, is prepared without yeast.
preparation
In contrast to other Indian breads, naan is traditionally made from leavened dough , for example by adding yoghurt or with the help of lactic acid bacteria and possibly yeast . Baking powder is also used as a substitute. Originally the basic ingredients were millet and yeast, today wheat is often more common. Usually the dough is made from atta or highly refined maida . The dough cakes are baked in a tandoor over open embers . The typical taste also comes from this natural baking method, which requires a lot of care.
Nowadays, pre-baked naan is also available in many supermarkets.
etymology
The word naan originally comes from the Persian (نان) and means "bread". The name later spread in the neighboring languages on the Indian subcontinent ( Hindi नान nān ) and among the Turkic peoples of Central Asia (in the Turkic languages also: Nan or Non ).