Nov 19, 2009

Soft Naan Bread




Naan bread! One of my favorite flat breads. I used to buy it from supermarket, where besides the fact that it is very expensive you pay over $3 for a package of 3 naan breads, when you read the ingredients there are so many that have nothing to do with flour, milk or oil ..... Of course I decided to make my own, so just like that I started looking for a good recipe. You think it would be easy with the internet and so many food recipe sites. Right?! Well, so did I. I was wrong!
The first recipe that came up in my search was Emeril Lagasse's naan bread. I was happy, I like Emeril!
Well, his naan bread didn't taste like naan bread, and was hard, I mean really really hard, it tasted more like hard pita bread, nothing like what I expected. So the search was still on. I don't remember how many recipes I tried from different sites and you tube, nothing was like the soft naan bread that I liked.
Then, I got fed up and decided to make my own recipe. It might not be authentic naan bread, but is soft, delicious and very easy to make. I love it, the boys love it, my husband loves it...... that's all I care about.
So if you are looking for an authentic naan bread recipe, this is not the one for you. If you are looking for a soft naan bread then here you are........ :D
I use a base recipe which I will list bellow, to that recipe sometimes I add herbs just for flavour, those ingredients will be listed as optional. Also I will post pictures from both the original and the herbed naan bread. Choose which one you like best. The recipe makes about 30 naan breads, if that's to much' you can adjust the recipe to fit your needs; make just half of the recipe. It also freezes well!

Ingredients.

2 cups milk
2 tbsp sugar
4 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
2 tsp sea salt
5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil ( or you can use any oil you like. I'm a fan of E.V. olive oil)
5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 egg lightly beaten ( for extra softness, but if you are a vegan you can omit it)

Optional

 1 tbsp of dry parsley
  1 tbsp of dry chives
1/2 tsp of cumin
Or, your favorite herbs. Rosemary is one of my favorite as well!

Place the milk and sugar in a small heavy saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and the milk is very warm. Remove to a small bowl and let stand for about 5 minutes to cool down.
Sprinkle yeast over top. Let stand for 10 minutes until foamy.




In a large bowl mix the flour, salt and herbs if using. Make a wheel in the center and add the olive oil and the egg lightly beaten.



Stir to dissolve the yeast, and add to the wheel. Mix until you get a dough.
Turn dough on a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 to 7 minutes adding very little flour to prevent sticking. Place the dough into a large oiled bowl, turning once  to coat the top.




Cover with cling wrap and tea towel and let stand in a draft free place for 40 to 50 minutes or until doubled in bulk.
Turn the dough on a clean surface and punch down to help expel the air.







With herbs.













Without herbs.






Divide the dough in about 30 equal potions.



I made them into little balls, but it's not necessary. Flatten each portion, out.




With herbs.




Without herbs.

Preheat a nonstick frying pan ( I used the griddle from my stove) over medium heat.

This is purely optional but i like spraying the griddle or frying pan with some butter flavored nonstick cooking spray. It helps the naan bread not to stick together if you decide to freeze it, and it gives a nice coating helping it stay soft longer.



Cook the naan bread for about 1 minute.




Then flip and cook for a minute more.




Remove to a cooling rack.





Serve warm, with your favorite dip, works great with soup. my boys love it for panini sandwiches.





Enjoy!


49 comments:

Cajun Chef Ryan said...

Oh boy do we love naan bread, this really looks like the recipe to try for making this from scratch. Store bought....no more!

lululu said...

i love nann bread, and i've never imagined homemade one could look that good!

MaryMoh said...

I love nan bread. Made once some time ago to go with tandoori chicken. Yours look soft and delicious.

momgateway said...

It's just what I've been looking for. Can't wait to try this!

Laura said...

Thank you Chef Ryan! let me know if you like it.

Laura said...

Thank you lululu!

Laura said...

Hello momgetaway,
If you try it, let me know if you liked it!

Drick said...

looks great ... with your talent, you know you should always just make up the recipes yourself, I can't think of one of yours that dedn't stand out...and hey, if you keep posting these bread type recipes, I might as well just stick this naan bread to my stomach....

Laura said...

Thank you Drick, you are always so nice and very kind to me and my recipes :)

Miranda said...

This looks great. I must admit. I buy Naan bread often and it is pricey for the small piece of bread. I can't wait to make this. It looks like it makes a lot too!!
I am going through a huge bread kick right now. LOL.

Laura said...

Hello Miranda, I know what you men about being pricey, actually is down right expensive. This recipe does make about 30 of them. Always this time of year I'm going to a bread kick, I love the taste, smell and I don't mind the oven being on for longer :D

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

Great recipe.Reminds me of my Aunt, never got her recipe and this looks close thanks for posting cant wait to try, a great memory for me :)

Cookin' Canuck said...

Great job! It looks as though you came up with the perfect recipe. How I would love to use this bread to sop up a thick curry gravy.

My Little Space said...

Oh Laura, your roti naan looks so soft and nicely cooked. I love eating naan with cury chicken or curry sardine and spicy herbal yogurt.

citronetvanille said...

Beautiful naan! looks perfect, I should try making it!

Federica Simoni said...

wow Laura complimenti!! fantastico questo pane!!! bravissima!

Cheah said...

I love naan bread too, will go well with chicken masala and egg plant curry. Yummy

Divina Pe said...

I love naan bread and you're right they're quite expensive and making is so much better and fun.

Laura said...

I'm Glad Claudia, that I could revoc a great memory for you...:)

Laura said...

Thanks C.C., i love it with hummus! yummy!

Laura said...

Hi Kristi,
You mention spicy herbal yogurt.... Yummy!

Laura said...

Thank you Silvia!

Laura said...

Grazie Federica, siete molto piacevole :)

Laura said...

Thankyou Cheah!

Laura said...

Thanks Divina, It is definitely lots of making it.

Jeannie said...

Great naan Laura... now I am at a lost, do I make the potato bread first or this? LOL! I love this bread too.

Jessie said...

awesome naan bread I'm bookmarking this one!

Unknown said...

I've thought about making this I don't know how many times but now that I've found a recipe, I suppose I don't have any more excuses!

Laura said...

hi Jeannie,
well, I don't know, you choose!

Laura said...

Hi Jessie,
I hope you'll give it a try.

Laura said...

hello Rochelle,
i hope you'll my recipe....:)

San said...

They are so incredible n perfect.

Not everyone tends to prepare naan like this.Great going.

Laura said...

Thanks San! You are very kind.

Conor @ HoldtheBeef said...

These really look like the proper naan I'm used to, I don't care if it's not a totally authentic recipe! Well done for coming up with it yourself, I think I will be copying you :)

Laura said...

Thank you Conor! I hope you'llgive it a try :)

Momo said...

eu te astept cu premii pt. aceste delicioase turtite!

Laura said...

Tank you Simona!

Anonymous said...

hi laura.
love naan bread,i used 2 make it v.often when i was in nairobi,used to make it with self raising flour,salt yoghurt,oil &cilantro now when i try it it doesn't come out well.def iam going 2 make it.it's h &k's fav.it goes well with butter chicken.
love &tc.
rekha.

Laura said...

Hi Rekha,
Yes I know my isn't an authentic recipe, but it is really delicious. Everybody in the family loves it.

Ivanovic-Fan said...

I LOVE Naan bread. I have so many friends from India that I've grown up always eating Naan. It's tasts so good especially when it is out of the oven - fresh and then you put butter in it :)
One day, when I have the time, I will try to make it.

Laura said...

I hope that day will come.... I love naan bread as well so do my boys, It's a favorite in our house.

Pierre said...

Hi laura
this is Pierre from Paris in France
I agree with you home made is far better tthan stuuff you can buy in the supermarket !! thanks for the sharing !!
and if you enjoy french inventive food come and see my blog you are very welcome to have a tour !!
cheers from paris in france ! Pierre

Laura said...

Hello Pierre,
And thank you for your kind comment. I will definitely love to see your blog:)

khadijah said...

Love your site,here is a Naan recipe I use and every time its soft.if you would like to try it.
http://www.aayisrecipes.com/2009/01/02/naan/

Laura said...

Thank you khadijah:0

Buddhaphish said...

Wow - I am going to try this tonight! Discovered your blog when I was looking for a different recipe. It's a must-bookmarked! Thank you for sharing your recipes with us. :)

gerald said...

Hi Laura, I tried the Naan recipe the Indian way and it came out hard....though it tastes good too. I know that you're using Milk here but can we substitute that with Yogurt? Or if i use milk, will that mess my tummy especially if i'm lactose-intolerant? What do you think? Thanks....I'll surely try this!

Reagrds,
Gerald

Laura said...

Hello Gerald,

thanks for visiting my blog. To answer your question. You can definitely use yogurt or soy milk, I don't recommend using almond milk in savory dishes. And for a more nutritious naan you can use 50% A.P.F an 50% whole wheat flour, in this case the naan would be a little more dense. I hope this helps.
Laura

Emdadun Choudhury said...

Hi all! I never really post a review and today I was so happy with my results I thought I should share my happiness with you all. I tried your wonderful recipe and was really amaed with the results. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe with us :).

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