Naan Khatais have a special place in my heart. Because they are a part of my beloved grandmother’s (Who passed away this year.God grant her peace) childhood in Delhi(India). I used to stare at her in fascination when she used to talk about the monkeys who used to snatch things from unsuspecting victims. For example once my great-grandmother fried(they didn’t have ovens,therefore didn’t bake) a batch of naan khatai and left it in her veranda to cool. Since they were already tired of monkeys snatching stuff, she was keeping a close eye on that batch of naan khatais. However somebody called from inside the house and she turned her back towards the tray to answer the person. And when she turned back. ……….. no tray,no naan khatais.
A pair of monkeys was sitting there munching naan khatais with the tray in their hands. And these monkey-cum-thieves stole about everything they saw. And they were damn smug about that. When people make movies depicting monkeys imitating people, they aren’t using special effects. Monkeys not only imitate humans but they also make fun of them after stealing their stuff. I recently asked a friend in Delhi about these guys.And she says, that the population has decreased due to authorities being on a monkey-chase. However they are still there. I feel thankful that the only monkeys we have are the ones in the zoo or in a circus. I wouldn’t like them steeling my naan khatai or other cookies for that matter.
The other memories of naan khatai involve my mum and the aunts. The way they used to sit on the ‘takhat’ (kind of like an extended bed minus the mattress, so it was hard) at my grandma’s house and gossip around their cups of tea, samosas and naan khatais. I would sit there (being a huge sucker for gossip) and would dunk my naan khatai in my mother’s tea. And let it there for longer than neccessary. So the naan khatai would break and settle at the bottom of the cup. And somebody would have to get her another cup of tea. So, baking these always brings about the best memories of my life. These large gatherings occur rarely now, now that grandma isn’t there to hold us all together!
Bake Time: 25-30 minutes
Makes: approx 12 cookies
Ingredients:
- Unsalted butter or Ghee – (1/2 cup, 4 oz) at room temperature
- Powdered Sugar – 1/2 cup
- Cardamom Powder – 1/4 tsp
- All Purpose Flour – 1 cup
- Baking Powder – 1/4 tsp
- Salt – 1/8 tsp
- Sliced pistachios- For garnishing
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar and softened butter/ghee.Mix well with a spoon.
- Add Cardamom Powder and mix well.
- In a separate bowl, sift All Purpose Flour with Baking Powder and Salt.
- Knead Flour mixture with Butter Mixture to form a soft dough.
- Wrap dough in plastic wrap and leave it for 10 minutes in the fridge.
- Now heat the oven to 300 degree F or 150 degree C.
- Divide the dough into 12 equal portions.
- Roll each portion into a smooth ball with no cracks and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper .(Or sprayed with non-stick vegetable oil spray).Leave ample space between dough balls.
- Garnish each ball with sliced pistachios.
- Bake on the middle rack for 25-30 minutes (keep an eye on them– naan khatai should remain white).
- Remove the naan khatais from the baking tray and cool on the cooling rack.
Wow – these look lovely! I’ve never heard of naan khatai – how would you describe the texture? Is it similar to a cookie or shortbread biscuit?
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it’s similar to a shortbread rather than a cookie. However this is the only one of these three that totally dissolves as soon as it goes into the mouth! 🙂
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Lovely memories you shared with us…those darn monkeys, Hahhah! These naan khatai look like a delicious treat!
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Thankyou so much Nancy 🙂
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It’s nice how a small thing like a cookie can bring up so many memories. Lovely looking cookies. 🙂
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yes…. these sure bought out many. This happens when generations of people agree on the goodness of a food 🙂
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Ayesha…what a beautiful story…and so cute about the monkeys!! You can be sure that the monkeys would be imitating me chasing after them if they stole my naan khatai!! Lol..
I’m intrigued by these lovely naan khatai…they almost seem as though they are a shortbread of sorts.. and the pistachios on top? Delicious.
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haha…i would go bananas if someone did that to me….would probably run away to another city where my cookies were safe ::)
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Such a nice post, Ayesha. The only Naan I’ve tried is the flat bread, These do sound good. They com with the Monkey Seal of Approval, after all. Your poor Great-Grandmother must have been so angry to see those monkeys eating her Naan Khatai. Thank you for sharing a bit of your family with us and this tasty recipe.
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thankyou! Monkey seal of approval ! wow i didnt think of it this way 🙂
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I had never heard of these Nann Khatai Ayesha, but you have brought them to life with your memories of your Gran, whom I was sorry to hear had passed away and how the monkey’s would wait until her back was turned.. Very clever those little monkey’s..
And the recipe sounds so simple but they look delicious.. Thank you for sharing these little tasty treats.. 🙂 Hugs Sue xx,
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Thankyou Sue…She was a very special person and helped in shaping my personalty. I owe a lot to her and love her to bits 🙂 Glad you like these!!
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These look so lovely. It is always nice when food evokes family memories and your story is great!
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thankyou….Glad you like this 🙂
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Oh, you can be so glad you do not live here Ayesha. You will be baking these Naan Khatai’s for the monkeys and me every day! LOL! They look delicious! Great shots hon! 😀
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haha!!! thankyou….I can gladly share with you …. However monkeys are another story 🙂 🙂 ❤
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I always believed that naan khatai had some milk or cheese in it. This seems like a simple and easy way to make it!
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yes Apsara it’s really easy and yet tastes perfect! 🙂 thanks hon for a lovely comment!
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These look really fabulous Ayesha. thanks for the recipe!
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thankyou for stopping by and being your amazing self! 🙂
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I ve seen different types of this recipe using semolina or gram flour. Would like to know which is authentic. And s also how do the street vendors make it on a tawa ? With the same recipe or is that different.
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I must admit that i’ve never tasted naan khatai made from semolina or gram…..even the ones we get from the bakery are made from the all-purpose flour! But thank you for planting the idea in my mind! i’d surely want to try that as well 🙂
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I wonder how the original street raydee ( push carts )s make it. On the tawa?
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I just found this! 🙂
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Ah, I had to stare at the picture for ages! LOL ..like dum biryani then! below coals, between nan khatai and a kadai of hot coals on top!! I guess that wud lend a smokey grilled taste. Gr8! Another version I saw was baking with salt /sand in a cooker/pan! http://nishamadhulika.com/special/nankhatai-recipe.html
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