Naan Bread Makes Us Happy!

Garlic Naan

Someone asked me the other day if my daughter Emma was a going to be a good cook one day.  I had to immediately respond that she is already a fabulous cook and quite adventurous.  Last week while Jimmy and Jed were at their High Adventure activity Emma asked if we could make something delicious.  She is always wanting to try something new in the kitchen.  I told her I had found a quick Naan bread recipe that we should try.  She responded immediately with a loud yes and pumping of her fists.  Something about Naan Bread and Emma.  They seem to go together.

Emma's first Indian food experience was a few short months ago.  We have a great little Indian restaurant here in Logan.  It is located close to USU in a gas station of all places.  Half of the building has your Corn Nuts, and Zingers, and the other half is The Tandori Oven.  It's delish!  We love it, but I will admit I'm not very adventurous.  I like the Chicken Coconut Kurma, or the Chicken Tikka Masala and that's about it.  Actually I think I really only like the above mentioned dishes just so I can dip the Naan Bread into something.  I could dip the Naan Bread into Sunday dinner gravy, or Sweet and Sour Sauce and I'd be happy too.  Naan Bread is stupendous!

Sweet Naan

Emma and I made two versions of the Quick Naan Bread.  I love the sweet Naan that has dates, coconut, and cashews ground up and then rolled up in the dough.  We also made just butter garlic Naan.  I was so happy to taste this bread once it was finished.  Emma and I just kept breaking off pieces, and making the yummy sound.  I even jumped up and down a little with delight at the taste.  It was lovely, and you know what?  I don't think a longer, yeasted version would have made me any happier.  We did make a delicious Chicken Tikka Masala as well to dip in.  Since the initial making we've made the bread 3 more times.  Each time making the family happier and happier!  If you like Indian food give this Naan Bread a try.  It was wonderful!!

5 Minute Quick Naan Bread!
Courtesty of (Never-Home) Maker

What you'll need . . .

1 cup bread flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 pinch salt

2/3 cup water

extra flour for rolling

Method . . .

Whisk together the bread flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl.

Add the water and stir. Then knead with your hands for a minute or two. If dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour.

Dough should be smooth and elastic. Divide into 4 balls.

Roll out each ball until it is about 5 to 6 inches in diameter.

Heat a frying pan until nice and hot.  When hot, place one of the pre-naans on it. Press down a bit with your hands or a utensil. Cook until golden.

Then flip and cook until golden.  If you have a gas stove, I grabbed the Naan and put it directly over the gas flame.  I loved the charred marks.  Repeat with remaining pieces.

Use a pizza cutter to cut each piece into 4 triangles.

I actually three times the recipe.  It made about 10 good sized Naan Bread.

To make the Sweet Naan I took a handful of raisins, and handful of coconut, and a handful of cashews and buzzed them in a food processor with a little water until a rough paste formed.  I then put a tablespoon full of paste in the middle of a dough ball.  Folded it over and sealed the edges so the paste was inside the dough.  Then you roll the dough out as directed and cook as directed.  When the bread was done we brushed with butter and sprinkled some more coconut on top.  Yum!!