Tandoor Flatbread

Cooking method

1. Step 1:

   

   How do you bake bread in a tandoor? Start by making the dough. Measure out all the ingredients listed in the recipe. You may need a little more or a little less flour than called for. If you like, you can use milk in place of the water.

2. Step 2:

   

   Sift the flour. This aerates it so your bread turns out light and soft. Put the flour into a large, deep bowl or another container.

3. Step 3:

   

   Make a well in the center. Add the yeast and sugar and stir lightly.

4. Step 4:

   

   Next, add the salt and vegetable oil, and stir again briefly.

5. Step 5:

   

   Gradually pour in the warm water as you start kneading the dough. The exact amount of water or flour may differ from what's listed here.

6. Step 6:

   

   Go by the feel of the dough. It should be firm but not too stiff. Knead it for about 10 minutes.

7. Step 7:

   

   Grease a bowl with vegetable oil, set the ball of dough inside, and brush oil over the top as well. For proofing, I usually use a plastic bowl — the dough seems to rise faster in it than in glass or metal.

8. Step 8:

   

   Cover the dough with a towel and let it rest for 30–40 minutes.

9. Step 9:

   

   Meanwhile, light the tandoor.

10. Step 10:

    

    By the time the wood has burned down, the dough will usually be ready to work with.

11. Step 11:

    

    Gently punch down the risen dough with your hands. Shape it into balls of roughly equal size. Cover with a towel and let them rest another 10–15 minutes, during which they'll puff up a little again.

12. Step 12:

    

    With fingers dipped in water, press a well into the center of each ball to form flatbreads. Prick the well a few times with a fork.

13. Step 13:

    

    Once the wood has burned down and the walls of the tandoor turn pale again, you're ready for the final step.

14. Step 14:

    

    Brush the bottom of each flatbread with cold salted water. Press the flatbreads onto the inner walls of the tandoor. Be very careful not to burn yourself, and use heat-resistant mitts. Close the bottom vent and cover the top of the tandoor with its lid.

15. Step 15:

    

    Flatbreads bake very fast in a tandoor; the time depends on the heat and the size of the breads. Here's how mine looked after 2 minutes.

16. Step 16:

    

    And this is the finished bread after 5 minutes of baking. On average the cooking time runs from 4 to 10 minutes. Carefully lift the finished bread off the tandoor wall.

17. Step 17:

    

    Here's the underside of the tandoor flatbreads.

18. Step 18:

    

    So soft and fragrant — you have to try them!