When we were in Atlanta last week, we ate lunch at a restaurant a few blocks from our hotel called Naan Stop. I got a naanwich filled with chola (no, not that kind of chola) and a sweet apple-tamarind curry, which was messy, but delicious. Why are there not more naan restaurants?! There really should be.
I'm kind of convinced that naan is the new pita. You can use them both in the same ways--tear them into pieces and use them for dipping, make sandwiches with them, and use them instead of a traditional pizza crust. But what makes naan better than pitas is that now you can buy tasty naan in your local grocery store. While you can buy pitas too, so often they're dry and tasteless. I am not a big fan of store-bought pitas, but I'm pretty crazy about naan.
I've used naan as a pizza crust before, but the difference in this naan pizza recipe is that this time, I grilled it first. You can do this on an outdoor grill if you have one, but I just used a cast iron grill pan--much easier! Grill both sides of the naan until it's warmed and has nice grill marks on it, then top it with grape tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and drizzle the whole thing with a balsamic reduction.
This is the kind of meal I could eat all summer long. It's not fussy, it's simple to make, and it tastes delicious. Even if you like your caprese without tomatoes. (Yeah, that would be me.)
This post was originally published on June 10, 2013
Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ c. balsamic vinegar
- 2 naan
- Olive oil mister or cooking spray
- A handful or two of cherry or grape tomatoes halved (use heirloom if you can!)
- A handful or two of small fresh mozzarella balls ciliegine
- ¼ c. fresh basil ribbons
- Salt + pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer until syrupy and reduced to about a tablespoon, 8-10 minutes.
- Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Spray both sides of one naan with olive oil and place it in the pan, pressing down on the top of it with a spatula to sear. Cook on each side until just beginning to char, about 2-3 minutes. Repeat with second naan.
- Top each naan with tomatoes, cheese, and basil. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with balsamic reduction. Cut into wedges and serve.
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty says
I asked my guy to throw a couple of naan onto the barbecue last week and he asked if it was pita bread. I'm all, no - way better! Love making pizza with it - it's so easy. But mine are never as gorgeous as what you have going on here. That's the prettiest pizza ever.
Kiersten says
It's funny, I had a vision in my head for how I wanted these to look and they did not turn out that way at all. 🙂
Michael says
Making this recipe tonight for friends! So excited! Hope I can make it as beautiful as yours! 🙂
Kiersten says
As long as it tastes good, that's what matters! 🙂
Ronnie Fein says
I use Naan for pizza also. It has a lovely softness texture but the crust edges get crispy too. Wonderful contrast. My last recipe had curried vegetables and cheese.
Kiersten says
That sounds delicious!
Caitlin says
it's times like these where i REALLY wish i could eat naan, or even just tried it before going gluten-free. this looks spectacular!
Kiersten says
Surely there has to be a recipe for gluten-free naan somewhere! Right?
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
I love naan, caprese, and pizza. Did you make this for me? Seriously--so simple, yet such great flavors. Everything to love!
Kate@Diethood says
Oh my, this is gorgeous!! And, delish, of course!
Tracy says
Not only does this recipe look like something delicious I can whip up, but the not chola link made me laugh out loud.. really hard!
Kiersten says
I think you might be the only one who clicked on it--ha! 🙂
Rachel Cooks says
This is pizza perfection. I need this for dinner tonight.
Erika says
Caprese without tomatoes?! I laughed out loud. I'm glad you embraced the cherry tomatoes on here, though--they look so perfect with those little balls of mozzarella. Man, if you're starting a naan fan club, I'll join. Sigh. My boyfriend and I just tried Indika, one of the iconic Indian restaurants in Houston and he chose the garlic crusted naan, which was good--but they also had pistachio apricot, mushroom cheese and beet and amul naan! Don't those sound amazing?!
Kiersten says
I know, I have issues. 🙂 I even order caprese salad at restaurants sometimes and give the tomatoes to my husband. Oh, and pistachio apricot naan sounds amaaaazing!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Mmmm... we love naan and have it with our curries all the time. Great pizza base too! This looks scrumptious, Kiersten 🙂
angela @ another bite please says
i just tried making naan bread last month...another reason to try again for these pizzas...love the fresh summer flavors!
Kiersten says
I want to try making it too! Someday. 🙂
Kat @ Stonefire Authentic Flatbreads says
This looks absolutely amazing! So fresh and colorful - we love it. Quick question - did you use Stonefire Naan in this recipe?
Kiersten says
Yup, I did! Totally love it. 😀
Sarah | Yahoo! Shine says
Holy wow! These photos are beyond stunning, and a great reminder of how simple an easy summer dinner can be. I've been meaning to use storebought naan as a pizza base--this is just the push I needed.
We're gathering grilled recipes for this month's Shine Supper Club and this would be a great addition. I hope you'll join us!
Genevieve says
I would so go to a naan restaurant if there was one nearby! I love naan bread - I'll sometimes eat it on its own with dip and call that lunch - and I agree that grocery store brands can be even better than the ones they serve at restaurants. I also love the concept of naan pizzas since they're naturally personal sized and so easy to work with!
Kiersten says
I know, I hope someone opens one in Raleigh too! It was awesome. 🙂
Courtney @ The Fig Tree says
Yummy! What a great idea. I love love love naan! And I love caprese. Great combo! I'll have to make these at my upcoming birthday BBQ.
Kiersten says
Yay! I hope it's a hit! 🙂
Shirley says
So beautiful!! And caprese is one of my favorite pizzas. I would also willingly take your share of tomatoes, the way I pass off pickle spears to friends. I also have a mad thing for naan, but I've never bought the grocery store kind -- I think I'm afraid I'd go on a carb explosion if I don't limit myself to Indian restaurant outings for naan. Looking at this is bringing me to that slippery slope, though.
Kiersten says
We can trade and I'll give you my tomatoes and you can give me your pickle spears. 😀
sowmya says
That looks beautiful !! So much light in ur photography makes it look more good 🙂 lovely foods and photography 🙂
Glad to follow u and ur recipes
Kiersten says
Thank you! 🙂
Peter @Feed Your Soul Too says
this looks so good I featured it on my Friday Five - grilling over @ Feed Your Soul Too - http://www.feedyoursoul2.com/2013/06/friday-five-grilling.html
Kiersten says
Thanks for the mention!
Dede says
This looks super easy and delicious! I'm excited to give this a try.
Phô mai que says
Looks so yummy! This weekend I am going to try this for my kids. Thank you for the recipe, Kiersten!
Kiersten says
I hope they like it! 😀
John@ The Bread Makers says
This recipe looks really good. I can't wait it give it a try.
Brenda Williams says
Love this recipe...I have never seen naan in our grocery store...I will have to look next time I go to OKC...we have one small store and Walmart to purchase groceries and I don't do Walmart unless it is a earth shattering emergency of some kind.
Kiersten says
I live in a fairly small town here and even our grocery store sells naan now! Maybe yours will soon too! 🙂
Abby says
This looks wonderful! Quick question: do you think baking the naan in the oven, with the toppings, would work (instead of the grill?)
Kiersten Frase says
Yes, that definitely works too!
Anna says
yumm this is such a great ideaaa!!!
https://aspoonfulofnature.wordpress.com/
Veronique says
It looks so yummy, thanks for sharing Kiersten! I can't wait to try!
Jill Roberts says
I finally got to make this grilled caprese naan pizza this past weekend and it was such a hit!! I found your post from Pinterest ! Thanks for sharing, Kiersten!