Naan bread or Pitta bread Recipe: Low Fat, Low Sugar

Naan bread should be eaten fresh and hot. Traditionally it is cooked in a tandoor oven, but a heavy frying pan produces excellent results.

Pitta bread is allowed to prove and then baked on the top shelf of a very hot oven for 10 minutes. gas mark 8, 450F, 230C

Makes 10 -12

1 oz / 25 g fresh yeast or 1 tablespoon dried yeast +1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 pint / 280 ml warm water

1 lb / 450g wholemeal flour

4 fl oz / 100 ml olive oil

salt to taste

• Crumble the fresh yeast into the liquid or mix in the dried yeast and sugar. Keep warm until the yeast is working well.
• Rub the oil into the flour.
• Slowly, mix the flour into the liquid until a uniform dough is formed.
• Knead for 5 minutes into a stiff dough.
• Leave in a warm place for one hour when it should double in bulk.
• Divide the dough into 12 equal sized balls.
• Roll out each ball on a lightly floured board until 5 inches / 12 cm diameter. Or slap from hand to hand in the traditional way (not easy!).
• Preheat a heavy based frying pan. Do not add any oil. Or preheat the oven for pitta bread.
• Cook each naan for 30 - 40 seconds each side - until brown and puffy in places.
• Serve hot.

• Mix crushed garlic and chopped fresh coriander into the dough.
• Roll poppy seed or roasted sesame seed into the naan before cooking.