Simple Healthy Whole Wheat Naan

Naan oh Naan... this is some Good Eats!
Complexity Level:  Easy

Simple Healthy Whole Wheat Naan

What You Need:

2 1/2 cups Whole Wheat Flour + flour for rolling

2 tsp Dry Active Yeast

2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Sugar

1/8 tsp Baking Soda
1 tbsp Cooking Oil
Butter Flavored Cooking Spray

1 1/2 cups Plain Greek Yogurt (or dahi if you want to make it)

1 cup Warm Water

Optional Spices

1/4 tsp Cumin

1/4 tsp White Pepper

To start, activate the yeast by adding the sugar and warm water to a bowl, and stirring in the dry active yeast.  This will need to sit for 10 minutes.  I like to cover the bowl with a wet paper towel to lock in the temperature and kick start the yeast.

While the yeast is sitting to activate, you can start the rest of the recipe.  In a large mixing bowl add the flour, baking soda, and salt.  Mix well.  Next, add the oil and yogurt to the flour.  This will crumble the dough.  If using the curd or "dahi" the dough will crumble a bit more than the greek yogurt, but for the sake of a simple recipe, I used the greek yogurt and it looked like this:

Now you can add in the water and yeast mixture and if desired my secret optional spices.  This will soften the dough a bit, relaxing the crumbled mixture.  Knead the dough for 2-3 minutes, or until smooth then sit aside for 3-4 hours in a warm place.

I know that is a large chunk of time and Bargain Bites loves to cut corners, but music, talking, and even jokes won't speed up the yeast.  If you really want to try to speed it up, I have found that this works from time to time:   Place a pan of water on the lower rack in your oven.  Heat the oven to 180 degrees then shut off the oven.  Place the dough in an oils dish, covered with a wet towel, onto the top rack.  Let this become a proofer to help rise the dough.

At any rate, when your dough is risen it's time for some bread!  Heat the oven to 500 degrees fahrenheit with either a tandoor or pizza stone to 500 degrees.  If you do not have either of these, most people do not, you can use a baking sheet.  In this case keep the oven at 450 degrees. For the sake of simplicity I used a baking sheet.

While heating up, it's time to roll out the naan!  You can choose your size and shapes, just be sure to flour your surface before rolling, as well as the rolling pin and dough.  This is a soft recipe, so it will stick without proper flouring.  Also note that if you roll them too thin, you'll create crisp wafers.  I like a good 1/4 inch Naan to maintain it's soft doughy texture!

Lighty grease the baking sheet with the cooking spray (you do not have to do this for the baking stones).  If using the baking stones, wet your hands and pat the round of naan between your hands before placing onto the stone.

If using a baking sheet you can skip the wet hand part, just place the dough on the lightly grease pan.

It should only take 2-3 minutes for the stone to bake, 5 on the first side, flip, then 3 minutes on the other if baking on the baking sheet. Once golden brown, remove and (optional but encouraged) lightly brush with butter.  Allow the naan to sit at least 2 minutes before diving in!

I hope you enjoy!  

Try making this dough and in place of the secret optional spices try using herbs and/or garlic for a fabulous flavor changer!  Yum yum yum!!

Aimee Gonzalez