Naan on a flipped over wok

HeavyG

Modernist Cuisine just published a new article today regarding baking flatbread on your grill.

They mention a tava dome which I have never seen (only flat ones) but also mention the clever idea of using a wok either up or down (not sure if that is a tava dome or a wok in the pix) which is one of those "why didn't I think of that" moments. I've got an old 18" wok I haven't used in years that will soon have its handles removed and will be used upside down.

http://modernistcuisine.com/2018/07/bake-fresh-flatbread-on-your-grill-this-summer/

SonVolt

Haven't used an inverted wok but I cook flat breads on my baking steel quite frequently. I wouldn't imagine a wok would retain enough heat by comparison. 

JohnInCarolina

You mean you actually cook stuff?

Just kidding man - I look forward to hearing about your results trying this approach.

theyolksonyou

Here I thought you might have actually posted a cook rather than antagonize conservatives or push KJ.  shoulda known better...

HeavyG

SonVolt said:

Haven't used an inverted wok but I cook flat breads on my baking steel quite frequently. I wouldn't imagine a wok would retain enough heat by comparison. 

Since it is continuously over a source of high heat it really doesn't need to retain heat as it will quickly get back to temp. At least that is what I'm thinking.

HeavyG

theyolksonyou said:

Here I thought you might have actually posted a cook rather than antagonize conservatives or push KJ.  shoulda known better...

When I do this I'll be sure to post a pix* of it which would also show my "Fvck Trump" beer caddie sitting on my KJ Big Joe side shelf.

Ok...I don't even own a "Fvck Trump" beer caddie or a KJ Big Joe but i might go buy them if just for the lulz.

* like that would ever happen

Sweet100s

Clever!

Mattman3969

Calling @caliking

Canugghead

If I remember right (too lazy to search), @caliking 's technique is more 'authentic', he slaps the naan on hot CI pan and inverts it over the fire, so one side of the naan kisses live fire similar to cooking in tandoor.  

DMW

Canugghead said:

If I remember right (too lazy to search), @caliking 's technique is more 'authentic', he slaps the naan on hot CI pan and inverts it over the fire, so one side of the naan kisses live fire similar to cooking in tandoor.  

I think the quote was "It has to see the fire"

caliking

Mattman3969 said:

Calling @caliking

Present!

@HeavyG - this is actually a hybrid technique. The inverted wok is usually used to make "roomali roti" (literally translated= handkerchief roti).

Check this vid:
https://youtu.be/p93yGmc6fNY

Naan needs to "see" the fire i.e. one side cooks on the heated surface, the other side cooks from direct radiant heat. Naans are thicker, while roomali rotis are much thinner and delicate. I've never seen a restaurant in the US making roomali roti, probably because it takes some skill to make the rotis that thin.

BTW, the place in London where the video above was filmed, has been on my list of places to eat whenever I should next find myself in London.  They have several locations there. Their menu is phenomenal.

Please post when you try this yourself. Always cool to hear of new techniques being tried. 

GlennM

My neighbor makes it in his blackstone pizza oven and it is delicious!

caliking

HeavyG said:

SonVolt said:

Haven't used an inverted wok but I cook flat breads on my baking steel quite frequently. I wouldn't imagine a wok would retain enough heat by comparison. 

Since it is continuously over a source of high heat it really doesn't need to retain heat as it will quickly get back to temp. At least that is what I'm thinking.

I think you’re right. The domes that I’ve seen being used have not been very thick. Plus the roti is quite thin, so it cooks quickly on high heat. 

CPARKTX

Thanks for sharing, neat idea, and good discussion.  Always learning new stuff here.