Recipe: Homemade Naan Bread

We brought dinner to a couple church events this week and decided to do an Indian theme.  We had Biryani, Rice, and Naan but couldn’t find Samosa’s since our favorite Indian store had closed two weeks ago (owners retired).

Here is a great homemade Naan recipe my cousin shared with me.  We love eating it  with Indian food or plain.

• 1 – .25 oz package active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 4 1/2 cups bread flour (you can use either white or whole wheat)
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic (optional)
• 1/4 cup melted butter

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water and let stand about 10 minutes.
2. Stir in sugar, milk, egg, salt, and enough flour to make a soft dough.
3. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes on a lightly floured surface.
4. Place dough in a greased bowl and cover with a damp cloth, then set aside. (Let dough rise for 1 hour, it should double in volume).
5. Punch down dough and knead in garlic (if you chose to use it).
6. Pinch off small handfuls of dough about the size of a golf ball.  Roll into ball shapes and place on a tray then cover with a towel and allow to rise until doubled in size (about 30 minutes).
7. While dough is rising the 2nd time, preheat grill to high heat.  (you can use a griddle if you prefer too).
8. Roll one ball of dough out into a thin circle and lightly oil grill. Place dough on grill and cook for 2 to 3 minutes (or until puffy and lightly browned).
9. Brush uncooked side with butter and flip over. Brush cooked side with butter and cook until browned, another 2 to 4 minutes.
10. Remove from grill and continue the process until all the naan has been prepared.

Serve the Naan with an Indian dish or really any other meal.   A light bread with great flavor.  It is similar to a pita for those who have not tried Naan.  Enjoy!