Wednesday 12 August 2015

Really Soft Naan Bread.

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Naan bread which is almost like cake? Eight simple ingredients is all it takes.

I posted a version of naan back in 2012 but this really soft naan bread is our new favourite.
My mother first made a batch of it at the end of July. We ate them with stir-fried chicken and I was like woah! What is this? Write the recipe down Mother! We need to blog this ASAP.


And, so we did. This recipe is so easy and uses everyday ingredients. All you need to make them is a bowl, wooden spoon and a whisk. The combination of self-raising flour and dried yeast gives these naan's their unmistakable softness and texture. And, I'm happy to report that they stay soft even when cold which means that they'll make the perfect wrap. We ate them for lunch on a Saturday afternoon with grilled chicken tikka. Basted with a garam masala butter, may I add.
The leftover naan dough also made an excellent pizza dough for the perfect meatless Monday dinner. We piled our pizza high with fresh summer produce and it was honestly one of the best pizzas I've had in a while.
However you use this naan dough, be sure to make it as traditional naan breads first. You just have to experience this naan with all its pillowy, almost cake-like goodness with a chicken karahi at least once.

Naan, previously: naan bread.

A Simple List of Ingredients:
1. Milk
2. Dried Yeast
3. Sugar
4. Margarine
5. An Egg
6. Plain Yoghurt
7. Salt
8. Self-Raising Flour

Bismillah, let's begin!


To make the dough, all you need is a large mixing bowl, a wooden spoon and a whisk.


First ingredient? Milk. I used semi-skimmed but feel free to use whole. 


Measure out 250ml (1/2 pint) Milk in a microwave-safe jug. Heat it in the microwave for about a minute or until hand-hot.


Pour the milk into the mixing bowl.


To see if the milk is the right temperature, stick your clean finger into it. It should be hot but not so hot than you pull your finger out quickly.


If it's too hot, give it a stir to help it cool down.


Once the milk is ready ...


... it's time for the dried yeast.


Take 7 grams Dried Yeast which is basically one of these sachets. Also, quick tip, check to see if your yeast is fresh. Don't ask how many recipes of mine have been ruined because the yeast had expired.


Sprinkle in the dried yeast.


Give it a quick stir.


Next, sugar. Ordinary granulated sugar will do.


Throw in 1 tablespoon Sugar.


Next, margarine!


Take 1 tablespoon Margarine.


Add it in.


Give it a whisk until it's nearly melted.


Then, 1 large Egg.


Crack it in.


And, give it a whisk.


Plain yoghurt is next.


Add in 140ml (4 tablespoons) Plain Yoghurt.


Whisk it in.


1/2 teaspoon Salt is added in.


A final whisk and it's time for the flour.


Self-raising flour to be exact. The combination of this with the dried yeast is what makes this naan extra fluffy and soft.


For this recipe, you will need 550 grams Self-Raising Flour which is added in batches until we get a soft dough. 


This is where we use a wooden spoon instead of a whisk.


The dough should be soft and you should be able to handle it without it being too sticky. We used the complete 550 grams Self-Raising Flour but you may need more or less.


When the dough is at this stage, get in there with clean hands and bring it together.


The dough is ready!


Pour on a little vegetable oil and brush all over.


Cover the bowl tightly with clingfilm.


Place a clean tea towel over the bowl and leave to rise in a warm place until doubled in size. This should take about an hour or so.


After it's risen, here it is!


Give the dough a quick knead and let's cook.


We cooked ours on a tawa but you could also use a dry frying pan. Place your pan of choice over a medium heat.


Grab a rolling pin and board.


Now, you can make your naan as big or as little as you like. We just took a handful and placed it on the board, sprinkled with extra flour.


The dough was formed into a ball.


Roll the ball into a circle about 1/2 inch thick.


Place onto the hot pan.


Let it cook on the first side for 2 minutes until bubbles appear.


And, flip!


Cook for a further 2 minutes until golden.


Keep it warm by wrapping in clean tea towels. Continue making the rest.


Serve the naan with whatever you like. Maybe a curry?

We ate ours with these chicken tikka skewers.
Oh, and you can also butter the naan if you're in the mood.


We also used this same naan dough as a base for a summer veggie pizza. Roll it out, pile on your fave toppings and bake at the highest oven temperature for about 20 minutes or until golden and bubbling.

Full Written Recipe:


Really Soft Naan Bread.

Prep Time: About 10 minutes + 1 hour, for rising.
Cook Time: About 4 minutes per Naan.
Serves: Makes about 10-12 Naan, depending on how thick you make them.

Ingredients
250ml (1/2 pint) Milk
7 grams Dried Yeast
1 tablespoon Sugar
1 tablespoon Margarine
1 large Egg
140ml (4 tablespoons) Plain Yoghurt
½ teaspoon Salt
550 grams Self-Raising Flour

Method

Place the milk into jug and heat in the microwave until hand-hot (about 1 minute).

Pour it into a large mixing bowl and add the yeast. If it’s too hot, give it a stir before adding the yeast.

Next, add in the sugar and margarine. Stir to let the margarine melt.
Then, crack in the egg and mix in.
Add the yoghurt and salt. Whisk in.

Add the self-raising flour in stages until it forms a soft dough and you can handle it without it being too sticky.

Brush it with oil and place into a large bowl. Cover with clingfilm and a tea towel. Leave to rise in a warm place until doubled in size.

To cook, take small handfuls of the dough and form into balls. Roll out to about ½ inch thick circles and cook on a tawa or a dry frying pan over a medium heat. Place on for 2 minutes until it bubbles then flip over. A further 2 minutes and it should be done.

Serve with curries, grilled meats or make into a wrap. This dough is also great for pizzas.

The dough can be kept in the fridge for a few days, covered tightly. You could also freeze it.

This Time One Year Ago:

This Time Two Years Ago:

Keep me in your duas please, and enjoy your naan,

Wasalaam!


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