Ever crave freshly baked bread but don't have the time or the oven? Don't worry, delicious and soft baked bread doesn't have to be made the classic way. There are many variations of bread around the world that you can bake simply in a pan!
From thin Indian rotis, soft Mexican tortillas, fluffy pita breads to rich and fragrant naan – each of these breads has its own story, texture and taste. The best part about it all? The preparation is easy, the baking time is short, and the result is simply divine. Prepare pan and let's begin!
1. Roti – the Indian bread of minimalism
Roti originates from India and is one of the most basic and everyday breads in Indian cuisine. It is served as a side dish with various sauces, curries or simply spread with butter. Its advantage is that it does not contain yeast, so it is quick to prepare and easy to digest.
Ingridients:
- 250 g wheat flour
- 150 ml warm water
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
Preparation:
- Sift the flour and salt into a bowl.
- Slowly add warm water and knead the dough with your hands for about 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough with a cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- Divide it into small balls and roll each into a thin disc.
- Heat a pan without oil and fry each roti for about 30 seconds on one side, until bubbles start to appear.
- Turn and bake on the other side, then you can lightly brush it with butter.
2. Tortillas – a Mexican hit for every day
Tortillas are an indispensable part of Mexican cuisine and are used to make tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and other dishes. They are traditionally made from corn flour, but wheat tortillas are also very popular and easier to make at home.
Ingridients:
- 250 g white flour
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 150 ml warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
Preparation:
- Mix the flour and salt in a bowl.
- Add warm water and oil, then knead the dough with your hands until it becomes soft and pliable.
- Cover the dough and let it rest for at least 20 minutes.
- Divide the dough into 6 equal parts and roll each into a thin disc.
- Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and cook each tortilla for about 1 minute on one side – when bubbles start to appear, flip it over and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Keep cooled tortillas covered with a cloth to keep them soft.
3. Pita bread – a soft pillow of flavor
Pita bread originates from the Middle East and the Mediterranean and is known for its hollow interior, which allows for a variety of fillings. It is often served with hummus, falafel or meat dishes, as it absorbs sauces perfectly.
Ingridients:
- 250 g of flour
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon dry yeast
- 150 ml warm water
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
Preparation:
- Dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water and let stand for 5 minutes to activate.
- Mix the flour and salt in a bowl, then add the activated yeast and olive oil.
- Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it becomes soft and elastic.
- Cover it and let it rise for about 1 hour until it doubles in volume.
- Divide the dough into 4 parts and roll each into a round disc.
- Heat a dry frying pan and cook each patty for about 2 minutes on one side, until it starts to rise and puff up.
- Turn and cook for another minute on the other side, then cover with a kitchen towel to keep them soft.
4. Naan – the king of soft breads
Originating in India and Central Asia, naan is a richer version of bread, containing yogurt and yeast, which gives it a soft and slightly chewy texture. It is often spread with butter or garlic oil and served with various sauces and curries.
Ingridients:
- 250 g of flour
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 100 ml of warm water
- 2 tablespoons of yogurt
- 1 tablespoon of oil
Preparation:
- Dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water and let stand for 5 minutes.
- Sift the flour into a bowl, add salt, then pour in the activated yeast, yogurt, and oil.
- Knead a soft dough and knead it for about 10 minutes.
- Cover and let rise for at least 1 hour.
- Divide the dough into 4 parts and roll each into an oval shape.
- Heat a pan over medium heat and cook the naan for about 2 minutes on one side, until air bubbles form.
- Turn and cook on the other side.
- Immediately brush with melted butter and sprinkle with chopped garlic or coriander, if desired.
Who says you need an oven to make delicious, fresh bread? With these four recipes, you can bake soft, delicious, and versatile loaves right on the stovetop in minutes. Try them out and find your favorite!
