December 16, 2008

Spinach Potato Naan/Flatbread - Stove top method

IMG_3299

Notice the difference in my pictures in this post? My image copyright appears smack in the middle of the pictures. I used to think it was not very aesthetic to put my copyright overlaying in the middle of my images. But now with the frequency of plagiarism I see around, I would rather compromise with the beauty of my pictures rather than make it eye candy and leave it out there in the open. Thanks Sangeeth for caring enough to make me understand how important this is. She did mention that adding the copyright at the corners would be too way too easy for people to crop it out and re-post (which makes perfect sense.)

Seriously, it is not worth making your blog, pictures, and post look nice and perfect (without proper precautions) when somebody else is going to be effortlessly lifting it right in front of your eyes.
Here are some good articles from Sangeeth and Cham on how to protect your blog and pictures. Read them, implement them if you care.

If you remember, I had done a Garlic and Red chilly Naan/Flatbread using the oven method. It was my first try and I am sure getting better at this.
Who needs an oven when you can make these in a jiffy with resources that you have on hand?

Here is another nutritious version using the stove top method.
Requested by a reader, I have tried to make a better illustration this time for those who really would like to try it out.
Points to note:
That tiny bit of potato adds a nice softness to the bread. So I would call that ingredient mandatory.
I used 100% stone ground Atta (Indian whole wheat flour, it does give best results for this type of bread.
The dough is a sticky one inititally when you start to put everything together, so please be mindful of the water that you add while kneading.
Roll the dough out thin (check in the illustration below), it does tend to puff up when you toss it on the hot pan.

Head out to restaurants for naan?... nah! I think mine worked like a charm.

IMG_3305

Spinach Potato Naan/Flatbread - Stove top method

Ingredients:

Atta/White Whole wheat flour - 3 1/2 cups
All purpose flour - 1/2 cup
Frozen Spinach - 2 cups (Thaw and squeeze out moisture completely)
Potato - 1/2 cup (Boiled and mashed)
Caraway Seeds - 2 tsp
Salt - To taste
Pepper - 1/2 tsp
Olive oil - 3 tbsp
Yeast - 2 tsp
Warm water - 1/4 cup

Method:

Add yeast to warm water and let it rest for 10 min.

After the yeast has frothed, add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. You may or may not have to add more water depending on the moisture content from the spinach and potato.

Add warm water and combine to form a nice loose dough. Knead for 15 min by hand on a floured surface. Dust with flour as and when needed during the kneading process.
The dough should look like this when you are done.

IMG_3247

Cover and let it double in size, which would take anywhere from an hour to two. Mine took two hours. It should look like this.

IMG_3287

Fold the dough over about 4-5 times.

Heat a non stick pan on medium-high heat.

Dust a board with flour and pinch out a ball and roll it out with the help of a rolling pin. (Spreading with hands does not work for me)
I divide my dough equally, they will rise a little as you make the rest, so knead each ball slightly right before you roll it.

The rolled out dough should be thin, as it tends to puff up on cooking, giving it a flatbread texture. You can see how thin I rolled it out.

IMG_3290

Transfer the dough gently onto the pan and cook till you see bubbles start appearing.

IMG_3294

At this point, I like to smear a wee bit of little oil/butter on the top side and then flip it over.

Cook on both sides till you get a nice brown color and the bread is cooked through.

It will continue to cook for a while after it comes off the pan, so let it rest for a few minutes.

Dab a little butter/spread on top, and serve warm.

I store them out for a couple of days without refrigeration. You may re-heat by wrapping them up in a paper towel and microwave them till slightly warm. Alternatively, you may wrap them in aluminum foil and warm in the oven.

Yields: Around 10 flatbreads

IMG_3323

Some great events that I am sending this to:
Susan's Yeast Spotting
Sangeeth's Eat Healthy - During Pregnancy

80 comments:

  1. kalaku divya.. i have only made stuffed potato paratha.. indha madri pannadhila.

    ReplyDelete
  2. When i started blogging my copyright just appeared at the bottom, but only recently I said i got make it more clear to others and stamped in midlle even it bothers me. But hearing everyday about plagiarism is simply shut me down...
    The naan has beautifully puffed over stovetop. Looks great with green too.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very nice idea of adding spinach to naans and making it on stove. So how many naans did you get for this measurement?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello Divya,

    I had checked yesterday (weekend) for the naan recipe ;-) but I guess I was too impatient :D Thanks a ton for posting this. It looks simply awesome!! I love how evenly it has browned and am surely going to try this out. I also love the spinach swirls :D

    So how did you remove all the water from spinach? Typically I sprinkle a little salt over any vegetable that I want to squeeze water out from and let it sit for a while (learnt from my mom) and then squeeze between both hands. Just wondering if you have a method that works better!

    Can we call this similar to parathas (except for the use of yeast) or am I missing something?

    Also is the taste different between oven-cooked and stove-cooked Naans? I liked the idea of oven-cooking as it is time saving (big thing for me!!) and uses less oil in the process :D

    Thanks so much once again!
    -Purvi

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh BTW, THANK YOU SO MUCH for detailed pictures!! I do understand how thin the naan has to be rolled now :D

    ReplyDelete
  6. sorry for yet another comment, but I loved the angle of the first pictures (gives me an EXACT idea of how the finished naan will look like)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Madhuram - It yields about 10-12 medium sized naans. I have updated the post, thanks for reminding me.

    Purvi - The girl with a lot of questions! :)
    Yeah, I got my camera entirely dusted with flour while taking pics of each step. It was funny!

    I used frozen spinach, thawed it out in the microwave, wrapped 2-3 thick paper towels, and squeezed out all the water. You may use that water for kneading the dough too.
    Naans as basically parathas with yeast which gives it the bread effect.
    Seriously! make these on the stove, they get done quickly since you use medium-high heat. You will notice a taste difference too.
    It uses the same amount of oil as the oven baked ones.
    Good luck.
    BTW, I totally don't mind you asking questions, I am glad you are! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. this method is really convinient and neat..good healthy one..

    ReplyDelete
  9. wow this really cool recipe. It is really tempting Anudivya.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow..the Naan simply looks awesome Anu..I love the pic of the naan on the tawa..nicely bubbling up..;-)Great pictorial too..;-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow Anu,again a healthy naan..very kind of you..Its a worth recipe to experiment in any kitchen...
    and for implementing the right decision to place copyright image in the middle,congrats to you..

    ReplyDelete
  12. I loved the color and texture dear..soo yummy for sure..btwn thanx for telling abt that copyright thing.I'd rather do it like that in future.:)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I loved this healthy naan that you made especially since it is made on the stove top....looks awesome..do you think I would be able to use fresh spinach in this recipe ?

    ReplyDelete
  14. great looking naans...with those lovely specks of green.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Lovely Divs.Perfect.What u said is true,potao add softness and is mandatory.

    Right said, abt the copyright.I plan to do so next time-always I think so.Oh God,I hate it thgh-in the middle?!,but to prevent plagiarism,we must do it.Is not there any other way!

    ReplyDelete
  16. this is one of my most favourite recipe....spinach , potato...naan.....they look lovely.......

    ReplyDelete
  17. Very nice recipe. I have used potato only as a stuffing. They have puffed up very well.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Naan bread is something I am going to try one of these days. I love the combination of spinach and potato.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lovely naan Divya! This seems to be a better idea than the oven method.I will also give it a try and let ya know.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow mouth watering and yummylicious paratha.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love spinach - this looks a great recipe

    ReplyDelete
  22. Puffed Naans makes me hunger...lovely n goregeous pics..

    ReplyDelete
  23. Ayyooo kalakita po... ennaa.. pic ennaa dimention ennaa color ennaa taste (opps i cant taste it though).
    Book marked dear. super o super.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Love your picture...healthy Naan indeed...Thanks for thanking me ;p

    ReplyDelete
  25. Awesome, toooooooooo good! Wd try n post a feedback. Tks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  26. It looks fabulous! Nice step by step instructions! Easy and healthier too! Nice entry!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I think i should also do it in the middle. Like you i was also saying it might not look good, but then have hear so much about ppl taking your pic......

    Naan looks so yumm.

    ReplyDelete
  28. that's a lovely recipe for sure. But, the last time I had made with spinach, it was quite a messy business. Yours look great! You are surely tempting e to make them.
    BTW, i tried your oatmeal cookies wiot some variation. I love them and my two men too. Thanks for the recipe! I love oatmeal cookies and had been wanting to try them since long. You made me do it and that too such a wonderful one. You'll see the reipe soon.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi Anu,

    Delicious naan. Eppova Sapadanum polo errukku. Your way of explantion, photos are mind blowing. If I am adding fresh spinach, can i microwave it, or to add raw. Regarding the name on the photos can i use picasa or we nen any other software.I hope you won't mind answering.
    Padutharena :-)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Buddy this is a keeper:-) Last time I made my naan in the oven ( which i haven't posted yet:-( ), i was wondering if i should try one of them on the tawa just to see waht happens.

    Thanks for the potato tip.

    ReplyDelete
  31. wow..looks delicious ma...
    hey nee solrathu 100% true :)

    what picture editor are u using?pls mail me...

    ReplyDelete
  32. Those watermarks are required to stop the copycats from steeling your work,the more prominent its on the image the better.
    Its lunchtime here and I have an appetite to eat up all your wholesome naans :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Mmmmm this looks so good!

    ReplyDelete
  34. This looks delicious. My husband's favorite food is Indian, and, in particular Naan. So, this great. Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Naan bread is gorgeous, never thought it could be this easy to make at home. Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  36. That looks golden and delicious... good to hear that the stove-top method works great.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I too make Naan in the stove top..adding spinach is totally nutritious ANu..Healthy one!!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Looks soft,yum and nice pic. I'm sure it must be tasting good too. I've never seen or tasted spinach naan before.I've always made parathas out of it. Loved your version. Will definetly try this next time when I'm planning to make naans. Thanks for the recipe with detailed pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love this recipe ... spinach and potato, yum! Can't wait to try it!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Looks lovely and lovely pics ... feeling hungry now to see those pics

    ReplyDelete
  41. really pretty naans and very healthy too. nice step-wise pics.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Lovely naans! I often use frozen spinach to make quick parathas but this looks much more sophisticated.
    And thanks for emphasizing the use of watermarks. I'm probably too casual in my usage of pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  43. This is a very nice recipe. So different. Look so good. YUM! Will try it soon. You are creating healthy recipes... Good job....

    ReplyDelete
  44. that is yummmy ... actually you are right about having the watermark in the middle. I too never had it in the middle cuz i felf it would spoil the beauty of the image ..

    ReplyDelete
  45. The naans look perfect Anu, a healthy way of making naan....

    ReplyDelete
  46. this is delicious. i'v never tried naan. will give a try now..

    ReplyDelete
  47. wow.. looks amazing.. I love the way you cook. Very innovative. Would love to try this since it is healthy and I agree with you..I prefer stove top as it gets done in a jiffy and consumes less power too.. bookmarked to try.
    By the way loved the snap where the nan is on stove top with bubles and the first one with melting ghee :)

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hi there!!

    This blog is fabulous! Makes me want to get into the kitchen and work some magic!!:)

    Just wondering...did you do courses in the culinary arts? It all looks super professional!

    I have this little fantasy of cooking like a pro..apart from what i'm currently studying for,so i've been bugging people who're fabulous at it to give me a shout!
    Also any other word(s) of advice is/are appreciated!
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  49. ooh...naans are making me hungry dear... with ur permission shall i take it...really they are yum yum

    ReplyDelete
  50. Thank you for coming by.. you are now bookmarked = )

    The Nan.. LOVE it. we have an abundance of Indian food here in Japan.. REAL Indian food...

    The Kichdi looks fabulous..

    ReplyDelete
  51. Oh i did forget to mention, This yeilds about 12 - 15 cookies depending on how big you shape them .. SInce I am a lil clumsy, Took my husband's help in getting that perfect shape :)

    ReplyDelete
  52. jut wanted to mention that i would love to see a post on Adai at your blog too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  53. I have never tried naan at home, but with your step-by-step easy instruction, I'll surely try soon..thanks for sharing...your naan looks perfect & better looking than restaurant,anu

    ReplyDelete
  54. wow.. looks perfect & delicious... looks perfect..

    ReplyDelete
  55. thy look so perfect nd delicious,..

    ReplyDelete
  56. I'm definitely gonna be making this one sometime soon!!!

    ReplyDelete
  57. What a nice stack of naans. Spinach must have added a great flavor! I too add potatoes many times even to my kulcha dough - makes a world of difference!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Hi Anu,
    Delicious naan.Looks soooooo good. Your way of explanation, photos are mind blowing.

    ReplyDelete
  59. What a way to indulge healthy way...i mean whole wheat,spinach,potato mixed to yield such lovely naan...considering how rubbery/hard/unhealthy the usual naans are, this one is a just perfect accompaniment to some gravy-ed veggies and some wonderful raita or curd.....OMG i am feeling so hungry ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  60. Thanks for stopping by my blog and for the comment! You have some tasty looking stuff yourself, I can't wait to see what comes next. This flat bread looks to die for!

    ReplyDelete
  61. What a flavorful naan bread, It looks wonderful!
    Thanks for the tip about picture protection, it is definitely something to consider. :)

    ReplyDelete
  62. So healthy and beautiful, with a wonderful flavor combination. And I love that they can be done on the stovetop!

    ReplyDelete
  63. I love flatbread. This one looks extra good!

    ReplyDelete
  64. naans look amazing...great way to include spinach into a meal!!

    ReplyDelete
  65. First time to u blog, glad i did visisted ..., very very nice n tempting snaps, n a gr8 presesntation...simply vow..
    Wise to add Copyright...
    And abt naans, i too do it in stove top only, (as i don't have oven,),adding spinach to it really someting nice n healthy...

    ReplyDelete
  66. Your pictures are gorgeous, very enticing... I will take a look at the article about the copyright and plagiarism. Thanks for talking about it. I love naan but unfortunately I cannot have wheat flour. Maybe I can make your recipe with gluten free flour instead. It looks lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  67. Hi Anudivya, these nans look so mouthwatering..i have a spinach chapati coming up on my blog.but, after seeing this entry, i dont feel like posting it:) all the pics here r so great..u simply rock girl!

    ReplyDelete
  68. Hey Anu,it wasn't the first time...u have visited my blog earlier too dear. (the bread roll post)

    and as for watermarking the image in the middle..it takes away a lot from the picture...why don't u just disable right click. just a suggesion.

    ReplyDelete
  69. I'm so sorry that you've had people lift your content - that is so awful!

    But your naan looks AMAZING -- I've never made it at home before, but you are inspiring me to try!

    ReplyDelete
  70. hey Divya, the crackers turned out crisp for me even in the middle. i made them like thattai..thin a irundhadhunaala easy a crisp ayiduthu. center la soft a illa.. even a bake aachu.

    ReplyDelete
  71. You're killin me. I'm in our place in NYC and the kitchen is smaller than most closets but I'm saving this one! Would they work well without the potato? Or, since I only have sweet potatoes on hand, what about those?

    ReplyDelete
  72. You're killin me, these look great. I'm in NYC right now with a kitchen that is smaller than most closets but I'm saving this one for later. Would it work without the potato? Or, since I only have sweet potatoes on hand, what about using one of those?

    ReplyDelete
  73. Spinach Naan looks irresistible and nice method of preparing them on stove it makes life bit easy....
    Will try ur version soon....

    ReplyDelete
  74. This is just beautiful! I love flat bread.

    ReplyDelete
  75. I tried stovetop method naan without spinach and potatoes as plain naan. W:)w. It came out really well. We enjoyed it with aloo baingan curry as sidedish. Thank u for a wonderful recipe

    -Lakshmi

    ReplyDelete
  76. Lakshmi - Great! I am happy that it turned out well for you! :)

    ReplyDelete
  77. That's wonderful! My entire family loves naans and these look so nutritious..and easy!!

    ReplyDelete
  78. Hey Divya, tried this last night. My hubby was all excited and even volunteered to run down 'n' buy yeast :-) It turned out quite well, but I guess my rising time wasn't enough, still tasted good, thanks for this easy recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  79. i make a range of different parathas but ive never tried nan......always felt that the moment a naan gets cold it gets rubbery to eat........but i guess thats why youve used more wholewheat than all purpose flour........way to go...............i would love to be eating them right now with a youghurt dip and some mango pickle...........

    ReplyDelete
  80. i make a range of different parathas but ive never tried nan......always felt that the moment a naan gets cold it gets rubbery to eat........but i guess thats why youve used more wholewheat than all purpose flour........way to go...............i would love to be eating them right now with a youghurt dip and some mango pickle...........ofcousre some mint cilantro chutney would be great as well.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment on this post. I will try to respond to queries as soon as I can. If I miss anything that needs to be addressed... please feel free to ping me again.
Happy cooking/baking or whatever it is you are doing in the kitchen! :)