Mint, Fennel and Garlic Naan

Photo: Sheela

Ingredients

4 teaspoons rapid rise yeast

3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1/4 cup flax meal

4 tablespoons Nutritional yeast

1/2 cup 110F water

1 tablespoon brown sugar

2 3/4 cups warm milk

1 teaspoon salt

4 cloves garlic, minced finely

1/2 cup mint and fennel leaves finely chopped

Preparation

Making the dough: In a large bowl, add the rapid rise yeast, brown sugar and lukewarm water and allow to sit for 5 minutes till frothy

Add the salt, flax meal, nutritional yeast, flour, chopped up herbs, garlic, plus a little milk at a time, and knead to a smooth elastic dough; place in an oiled bowl, cover, and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in volume - I leave it by the heating vent or in a slightly warm oven (oven turned off, of course)

When ready to cook, divide into 10 or 12 balls - bigger balls makes fewer but larger naans, as expected

Roll each ball out, one at a time, to a quarter inch thick round; fold once to form semicircle, fold again to form a rough triangular shape; roll with rolling pin to about ¼-inch thick and keep covered till ready to cook

Cooking the Naan: Heat a cast iron skillet to high heat; brush one side of the naan with water, place the damp side down on the hot skillet and leave it undisturbed for a minute or so till bubbles form on the top surface

Remove from skillet, flip and transfer to the roti-wirework and place the uncooked side over open flame of gas stove till it is cooked through, but not charred;

Alternately, flip and cook on the cast iron skillet till done