if rupert murdoch is good for one thing only, it is the "food of india" cookbook published by murdoch books. i bought it really cheap from one of those people who brings boxes of books around to your workplace.
the most cooked recipe in the book is the naan bread. we make it every couple of weeks and it is so simple and tasty.
In a large bowl, mix together 500 g plain flour, 2 teaspoons dried yeast, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. (I tend to use flour from our big bag of bread mix flour)
If you want to be really fancy, add some nigella seeds (kalonji) - from Indian food shops.
Warm 250 ml milk to finger temperature and add to flour.
Mix 2 tablespoons oil, 1 beaten agg and 200 ml plain yoghurt and add to flour mix. (I use the creamier Greek variety).
Fold it all together in the bowl to make a soft dough. You may need to add some more flour or milk. Knead it a little in the bowl, or if you like, put it on the bench and knead for 5 minutes (we rarely bother...)
Put in a warm place in an oiled bowl, covered, until it doubles in size.
Heat the oven to 200C or 400F. Put a baking tin with water in the bottom of the oven (stops the bread drying out).
Then flatten out the dough, knead it a bit and divide into 8-10 portions. Naan bread is tear-dropped in shape, so stretch it out a bit.
Bake on a greased tray on the top shelf of the oven, 7-10 minutes each side. You'll need to bake them in 2 or 3 batches.
We like to mix more yoghurt with Indian Mango chutney as a dipping sauce. Faaaantastic.
You will just love this. I guarantee it. I'm making it this Friday night for dinner at cheryl's worship nosh in melbourne. we're also going to do my moroccan bbq lamb, pork belly, some bbqed veg, salads, etc. my main worry is that my spice cupboard will be at home, so i may have to take a spice suitcase.... not sure how the airport beagles will cope with that!
we also made it saturday for the twins' 17th birthday.... but that is such another story!
anyway, "the food of india" is one of my two indispensible indian cookbooks (...of course I have more than two!)
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