Garlic Naan Bread

I adore Naan bread. If I could convey through my writing the incredible smell of warm garlic naans, I would. Alas, such a power evades me, and so you will simply have to try this recipe. This is the perfect side dish for all Indian curries or even as a starter with Indian dips.

10 Naans (roughly 4 servings)

Ingredients:

60ml warm water

1/2 instant yeast

2 tsp sugar

170ml warm milk

60ml oil

180gr plain yogurt

620gr flour

1 tsp baking powder

2 tsp salt

Vegetable oil

4-5 garlic cloves, minced

A handful of fresh coriander, finely chopped

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast & sugar. Allow to rest 10-15 minutes until you see small bubbles forming, then add in the warm milk, followed by the oil & yogurt.

In a second bowl, combine flour, baking powder & salt. Mix well & tip the contents into the large bowl with the yeast mixture. Give in a good mix and then tip the dough onto a well floured countertop.

Knead the dough for 5 minutes.

Grease a bowl with plain vegetable oil & place the dough inside. Cover with cling film & allow to rise for 1-1.5 hours at room temperature.

Divide the dough into 10 portions & use a rolling pin to flatten each portion into a rough oval shape approximately 20cm long.

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan & fry the naans, two at a time, on medium heat for 2 minutes each side. You should see bubbles forming on the surface if the yeast has worked correctly.

Place the naans on a tray and brush the topside of each one with melted butter, followed by a generous scatter of garlic & coriander.