Naan Bread Recipe

I got ambitious and decided to try to make Naan bread. I am always afraid of making bread because for some reason my dough never rises. This time it rose thanks to some helpful hints from my mother -- give the yeast time to get frothy and place the dough in a warmed oven to let it rise (warm it then turn it off because you don't want to cook the dough). I had to wake up a little early to make the dough before leaving for work, but its kind of a nice way to get the day started working with your hands to knead the dough.

Makes 6 Naan.
Ingredients:
• 2 cups of All Purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Pinch of baking soda
• 2 tablespoons of oil
• 2 1/2 tablespoons plain yogurt
• 3/4 cup lukewarm water
• 1 small yellow onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds (or powder)
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
Chopped cilantro or parsley

1. Dissolve active dry yeast in lukewarm water and let it sit for 10 minutes or until the mixture becomes frothy.
2. Add sugar, salt and baking soda to the flour and mix well.
3. Add the oil and yogurt mix, this will become crumbly dough.
4. Add the water/yeast mixture and make into soft dough.
5. Knead until the dough is smooth. Cover the dough and keep in a warm place for 3-4 hours. The dough should almost be double in volume.
6. Heat the oven to 500 degrees with pizza pan or large flat pan inside for at least 20 minutes so stone is hot.
7. While the oven is warming up chop the onions and garlic. Sautee’ for about 5-7 minutes with a little oil and the spices (cumin, coriander and garam masala).
8. Next turn the oven to high broil.
9. Knead the dough for about two to three minutes and divide the dough into six equal parts. Take each piece of dough, poke a hole in the middle of the ball and add a spoon of the onion/garlic mixture and some chopped cilantro or parsley, pinch the dough to cover the hole and roll into 8-inch oval shape. Dust lightly with dry flour to help with the rolling and use a rolling pin, or if you don’t have one like me, a wine bottle or other bottle works well.
10. Place the flattened ovals of dough 2 at a time onto your hot baking/pizza pan into the oven.
11. The Naan will take about 2 to 3 minutes to cook, depending upon your oven. After the Naan is baked(Naan should be golden brown color on top).
12. Take naan out of the oven and brush lightly with clear butter or ghee.
13. Serve and enjoy!