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If you didn’t know, O is half-Pakistani, making his dad, you know, full Pakistani, which explains why I wore mendhi on my palms at our wedding and why we eat so much Indian food.
O grew up eating halwa poori with cholay for breakfast and big bowls of dal and curry for lunch and dinner. And I myself could live my entire life on rich spiced saag paneer and mushroom bhaji and chicken 65. But for O, it’s all about the journey.
The journey from the bowl to his face. The journey of the curry from the bowl to his face. The journey of the curry scooped in buttery folded naan from the bowl to his face.
There, that’s the one. The man loves bread. So I knew when I made palak paneer a little while ago, I absolutely had to accompany the dish with some homemade naan–who cares to spend $5 on the prepackaged stuff at Whole Foods? But I decided that, especially since we eat so much white-flour naan when we go out–to make it a bit more wholesome and nourishing at home. Enter.. whole wheat naan.
I searched for recipes to base mine off of for a while, but most I spied used only a small portion of whole wheat flour in relation to the white flour, which didn’t really seem totally worth it to me. If we’re going to make whole wheat naan, by Jove, the naan should be whole wheat! So I leapt off on my own and came up with a bread that’s almost entirely whole wheat. It’s a bit toothsome yet tender, full of flavor, and perfect for the scoopage of curry from the bowl to your face.
I’ve only tried this whole wheat naan recipe with regular yogurt, but I’d imagine you could sub vegan yogurt and a plant milk easily. You might want to add in just a little bit more oil to make up for the lower-fat dairy substitutes, but otherwise, all should be good.
Stay tuned for the perfect palak paneer to accompany this naan! Because in our house.. naan always comes first.
Whole Wheat Naan
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cup white whole wheat flour
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ cup whole milk yogurt
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ cup milk , warmed to about 100-110ºF
- 1 1/4- ounce packet of yeast
- 1 tbsp ghee , for frying and serving
Instructions
- Sprinkle yeast over milk and set aside for about 10 minutes. In a large bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Make a well in the center and pour in oil, honey, and yogurt. Lightly mix. Add in milk-yeast mixture and mix until dough comes together. Dough should be soft but not quite sticky.
- Knead for 7 minutes, adding a bit of flour if necessary. Set aside and allow dough to rest for 2 hours. Dough will slightly expand and become stickier.
- Divide dough into 6 equal pieces. Roll out on a well-floured surface roll out dough. Thicker naan bubbles less when cooking as compared to thinner naan.
- Heat a large cast iron skillet on medium-high heat until hot. Add a little spoon of ghee to the skillet. Place one round on the skillet and cover with lid immediately. Allow to cook for 1-2 minutes. Naan will begin to bubble. Flip naan over and cook for another minute.
- Remove from heat. Repeat until all naan dough has been cooked.
- Brush with ghee and serve warm.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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So happy to see your beautiful wedding photos of you and Omar, and family enjoying the most splendid of days. And what a beautiful bride you were. It was a magical day and I could feel the love just sitting here watching. Thank you for sharing this, Cheryl.
So I see your Naan and want to kick myself silly. I buy it all the time at the store. I love it. Why haven’t I made my own? Inspiration, perhaps? Well, I have to look no further my dear! And the 100% whole wheat – I’ll take it! That first close up photo… I could just take a bite! Mmmmmmm! Thank you… thank you.
Aw, thanks Traci! It really was a perfect day, just everything about it. And I can’t believe you’ve never made naan either! Granted, it always does seem like an extra hassle when you’re steaming rice, making raita, perfecting curry.. but it’s totally worth it!
This naan is perfection and now I’m seriously feeling the need to run into the kitchen and whip up some Indian food. Provided I have enough naan leftover that is because once I try this, I have a feeling it’s gonna disappear FAST.
Uh, yes! Even just responding to comments on the naan, I’m having dreams of Indian food and seriously reconsidering what I’d planned to make for dinner.. when the craving for Indian strikes, you cannot ignore it! 🙂
I have a legit obsession with naan. This whole wheat version may make me feel a little bit better about consuming it in mass quantities. And P.S. you are seriously stunning – your wedding photos are gorgeous!
Aw, thanks Jamie! I appreciate that. And man, me too. At least with mostly whole wheat, I feel like, OK.. this is totally health food.. :slathers on more ghee: 🙂
Ahhh – your wedding photos are amazing! Love love love! And love this gorgeous naan. I could eat naan all day, every day!
Thanks Liz! And right?! Especially peshwari naan, oh man..
I’ve never made my own naan before, I’ve always just been really lazy and store bought it or ordered it with my Indian takeout! Definitely inspired to make my own from scratch now.. especially if it is this easy and delicious!
I’m actually shocked, Thalia.. you seem like the from-scratch-everything kind of girl! I mean.. those cakes.. no words!
How did you know I have been craving Indian food and naan alll week? Omg this looks ridiculously good!! And I am seriously looking forward to your Palak Paneer coming up – omg my fave.
And your wedding photos are seriously gorgeous! I am loving the henna 🙂 I secretly have always wanted an Indian wedding (after attending one when I was a preteen lol) because of all the gorgeous colours and dresses!!
Cheryl, first off. . your wedding photos are gorgeous! YOU were a stunning bride! oh my gawd, you are beautiful and that dress!!! and you and your dad did the Beyonce “single ladies” dance?! oh my gawd, I love you even more. And this gorgeous NAAN. Naan is one of my favorite things in the world. I love smothering mine with roasted garlic. . and my kids love it too. totally going to try this. . probably next month when things slow down after the holidays. . and can’t wait for your palak paneer! We love Indian food.
I love the Indian recipes you post Cheryl! Whole wheat naan sounds awesome! Have to try it after the holidays! I love the pictures here 🙂
Thanks Mira! I am *all* about the Indian food over here. Woot!
What the what. Now I’m just scrolling through your wedding photos. CHERYL YOU LOOKED GORGEOUS! And that location? And your dress? The barn! O in his tux! Ugh. All the things. Truly a perfect wedding.
Awwww shucks now. I freaking loved our venue, ugh! Thanks for your super sweetness Sarah 🙂
I am soooo thankful for the amount of Indian food you eat! More recipes for me! And homemade naan sounds FAB!
Oh man, we eat so much. Homemade naan totally IS fab, totally worth it! Thanks K! 🙂