Better late than never, right? I have certain Type A tendencies…and sticking to a religious blog schedule is one of them. I post on Monday and Thursday mornings, and I make that happen come rain or shine. BUT, I am realizing that babies throw all types of schedules by the way side. Lucy got sick last week…and I’m still trying to catch up. Papers to grade, photographs to edit, kitchens to clean…the list goes on and on.
However, Ryan and I had an amazing weekend in Boulder with Lucy. Yes, Boulder. We ended up cancelling our trip to Austin due to Lucy’s virus. We were terribly disappointed, but we knew that traveling with a sick baby would have been a bad idea (for us, for Lucy, and for all the passengers on board). Thankfully, she rebounded from the virus and was acting like her normal self by Thursday, so we decided to take advantage of a beautiful Colorado weekend and make a short trip to Boulder.
While there, we ate well. VERY well. But perhaps the highlight of our culinary experiences came on Friday night, at a little strip mall restaurant called Curry-n-Kebob. Lucy had naan for the first time (which she loved) and Ryan and I stuffed ourselves silly with Indian curries and jasmine rice.
Unfortunately, we don’t have an Indian restaurant that even begins to compare with Curry-n-Kebob here in the Springs, so I’ve made it my mission to recreate as many Indian dishes as I can at home. I started today with this naan bread. A freshly cooked piece of naan is better than most any dessert, in my book. Soft and buttery, I could eat a whole batch on its own. I made these naan with a combination of bread and whole wheat flour, and I was pleasantly surprised at how soft and light the loaves stayed. If you love naan and feel like you can’t make it at home, TRY THIS RECIPE. You’d be surprised at how easily it comes together. Naan is by far one of the easiest yeast recipes I’ve made.
Whole Wheat Naan
3/4 cup water
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
2 teaspoons sugar, divided
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup bread flour
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons whole milk yogurt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup melted butter (optional)
In a small bowl, whisk together warm water (100 degrees Fahrenheit), yeast, and one teaspoon sugar. Allow to sit until frothy, about ten minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk together flours, salt, and baking powder. Then, whisk yogurt and olive oil into yeast mixture. Gently stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients until a wet dough begins to form. Do not overmix. The dough should come together in a sticky ball. Cover bowl with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel. Allow to sit and rise at room temperature for 2-3 hours.
Sprinkle flour over dough and form into six balls (adding more flour if necessary). On a clean surface, roll each ball of dough into a round about 8 inches wide and 1/4 inch thick.
Warm a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat until almost smoking. Gently lay one piece of dough in center of skillet. Allow to cook for one minute. The dough should begin to bubble. Flip and continue to cook for an additional minute. Then, cover your skillet and allow to cook for an additional 30-45 seconds. Remove from skillet and brush with melted butter (optional). Repeat with remaining pieces of dough.
I think Lucy passed her virus through our blogs! My guy came down with a fever yesterday and as of tonight it looks like we’re still dealing with it.
These naan look amazing. So pretty.
I really love naan. Sounds wonderful making it wholewheat! Pinned š
This homemade naan looks absolutely perfect friend!! I’m so impressed!
My only attempt at making naan was so-so and i never tried it again. that was before my blogging days, and now I have so many bread recipes in my blog, I feel that naan should be there
I will definitely give this recipe a try – we are leaving for a 1 week trip to attend a PhD defense and a wedding (both from my stepsons, how exciting!) but when I’m back I’ll get to work on this. It is a promise! š
She’s so sweet in her cute little coat and hat! Great naan too!
i am so happy that Lucy is feeling better…hopefully she will be able to visit Austin soon. i have been wanting to make homemade naans as well because i always end up ordering from a cafe next to my apartment or the frozen kind.
Sounds like you had a magical meal. Lovely looking naan. I understand the compulsion to stay on schedule — over the years though, I’ve given myself permission to fall of track and it has brought me immeasurable happiness and freedom (not to mention more conscious moments with my young ones). “Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone” Lin Yutang. xx
Sorry to hear you didn’t make it to Austin after all :'( And I hope you get to travel there soon so your family can see Lucy again! Anyway, it’s lovely to know you had a great time in Boulder!
These naan look delish and I’d love one of them with some curry yum!
Monet, this Naan looks perfect! I would love some with a little curry chicken. I too share the type A personality. My only problem is once I get off my schedule I have a heck of time getting back. It’s very frustrating.
So sorry you had to cancel your Austin adventure, but I have a feeling you’ll be back sometime soon! Glad Lucy is feeling better and that you have the energy to bake such beautiful treats as this naan. I love using it as a base for pizzas and as flatbread!
Oh I just love whole wheat naan! This looks awesome, so cute that Lucy loves it too! hehe
I’m glad Lucy is feeling better now! Although I’m sorry you had to cancel your trip! But it sounds like you made the best of the situation : ) This naan looks so so good Monet. I’ve never tried making it at home before but now I’m going to have to!
so glad Lucy is feeling better!
I’m not a huge fan of Indian food but I LOVE naan! I mean..it’s bread so š I love that you made it whole wheat too!!
Happy Lucy is better. Looving different types of breads and this one is definitely up my alley. Thanks! š ela
Isn’t Indian food so flavorful? And not so hard to make, once you learn a few techniques and get the spices you need. Naan is such good stuff — maybe my favorite Indian bread. Yours looks wonderful — thanks.
This naan bread looks delicious. And approved by Lucy means I must try this recipe soon! So glad she’s doing better!
I could pretty much give up all bread and just eat naan for the rest of my life! So good. Can’t wait to try this whole wheat version.
And I’m so glad to hear Lucy is feeling better!!
I’m so glad you had such a great time in Boulder! I bet it was nice to take a little trip with the family. š Just like Lucy, I’m a sucker for naan… and I’ve been meaning to make it for a long time. Officially inspired.
Monet, I’m sorry your trip was cancelled but glad to hear Lucy is better and that you had a lovely time together in Boulder. Thank you for posting this recipe! Naan is one of my favourite things to eat (I could eat a whole basket of it when I go to an Indian restaurant). Have you had garlic naan before (naan smothered in melted butter and garlic). It’s heavenly! I’m printing this out to try asap.
Iām glad Lucy is feeling better and you enjoyed your weekend away! Your naan looks perfectly wonderful! How could Lucy not love it?
I definitely need to make homemade naan instead of relying on naan from Indian grocery stores. =P They look amazing! Lucie looks so happy and focusing on her naan. Adorable <3 I miss this stage… I'm glad I stayed home for my kids, and I still treasure it!
Monet, I am also very glad that darling Lucille is doing so much better – she certainly looks happy enough munching on her Naan. I have baked Naan with the Tueadsy with Dorie group before and we all loved it – thank you for a wonderful reminder that I should certainly bake this wonderful bread again soon.
Hope you are all doing well!
Yum! I love naan bread! Yours looks delicious! I’ve made homemade naan before and even used it as the crust for pizza, if you’re interested: http://misssophisticate.com/naan-pizza/
Your baby is just lovely too!! <3
Dear Monet, Lucy is just too precious. I love that photo of her. Naan bread is delicious. A few months ago I really got into making my own flat bread. It is delicious and so much fun to make. Blessings dearest, Catherine xo
I can’t wait to make this naan! We have curried leftovers on Mondays (it’s a great way to use up any bits and bobs you have in the fridge) so I am going to have to make a giant batch of these!
I love this whole wheat Naan, Monet! Pinning. š
The closest Indian restaurant is a 2.5 hour drive away for us. We have driven that distance just to eat there before… would really be a good idea try recreating the deliciousness at home!
Your naan looks amazing! I’m not a huge fan of Indian food (mostly because I don’t love curry powder), but I love naan!