Okay so I really craved some authentic Afghan naan after watching a travel show last night. Figured I’d try making it myself since my local store doesn’t sell any. Grabbed flour, yeast, yogurt – basic stuff really.
The Messy Dough Situation
First disaster happened when I mixed warm water with yeast. Forgot to check the water temp and just dumped hot tap water in. Killed the yeast stone dead obviously. Whole thing just sat there looking sad like milk in a cup. Had to start over with lukewarm water this time.
Dumped these into a bowl:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (whole wheat would work too)
- 1 teaspoon salt – no fancy Himalayan stuff just table salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar for the yeast to eat
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt – makes it soft later
- 1 tablespoon oil – vegetable works fine
Mixed with hands like kneading play-doh. Got flour absolutely everywhere – counter, floor, even my eyebrows somehow. Kneaded for like 10 minutes until it felt like a soft baby’s butt. Covered with wet cloth and prayed.
Watching Paint Dry Phase
Let it rise near the oven vent for 2 hours. Got impatient and poked it after 1 hour – dent stayed there like a belly button. Fine, waited whole 2 hours. Dough ballooned up crazy big like it got pumped with air.
Stove Showdown
This is where things got sporty. Divided dough into 4 lumps. Rolled first one with wine bottle (don’t own rolling pin). Shaped it like teardrop, maybe 1/4 inch thick. Brushed with yogurt-water mix for glaze.
Heated cast iron skillet screaming hot. Slapped dough on dry pan. Watched bubbles pop up like crazy acne. Burned first piece because got distracted by doorbell – smoke alarm joined the party obviously.
Second attempt kept focus. Flipped when bottom got leopard spots. Pressed with spatula to puff up. Got that charred look real Afghan places have. Made weird happy dance when I saw it actually puffing up like pillow.
The Victory Bite
Let me tell you – that crunch! Shattered like glass when I tore it open. Inside stayed chewy soft with slight tang from yogurt. Ate whole piece standing over counter like savage. Stuck remaining pieces in kitchen towel to keep warm – tradition says that’s how Afghans do it.
Final thoughts: Way easier than expected once dough cooperates. Takes patience but hot bread fresh from pan? Totally worth flour apocalypse in my kitchen.
