Day: 19 January 2023

Prelude to Foundation

Before last book of Foundation series. I was a bit reluctant to follow but I was actually surprised by this book. It is all about the beginning of psychohistory by Hari. I assumed it would be a bit dull but looks like a bit like Doctor Jones being Indiana Jones 🙂

And the end is quite a twist I didnt expect. So looking forwards for the next.

Soda Bread and Naan

Soda Bread Ingredients:

  • 170g self raising flour
  • 170g plain flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 290ml (1/2 pint) buttermilk

Soda Bred Process:

  • Pre-heat oven at 200C
  • Mix the flours, salt and bicarbonate into a large bowl.
  • Make a well in the center and pour the buttermilk, mixing with a fork to form a soft dough.
  • Knead for 3-4 minutes in a lightly floured surface.
  • Form a ball with the sides of your hands, flatten a bit the top.
  • Cut the ball in 8 pieces with a big knife. Use a bit of oil so the knife doesn’t stick.
  • Let is rest for 15 minutes. Prepare a tray lightly floured.
  • Bake for 30 minutes. Check with a toothstick that comes out clean. And it should sound hollow when tapping the bottom.
  • Cool in a wire rack.

Ingredients for Peshwari Naan Bread:

  • 3/4 tsp instant yeast
  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 60ml body temperature water
  • 140g plain flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 60ml/54g Greek style yogurt
  • 1/2 tsp vegetable oil

Naan Filling:

  • 28g butter
  • 1 tbsp desiccated coconut
  • 24g raisins
  • 22g almonds

Naan Process:

  • Mix yeast, sugar and water. Wait a 1-2 minutes until the liquid is a bit bubbly.
  • Mix flour and salt in a bowl
  • Add the water mix to the yogurt and oil.
  • Add the yogurt mix to the flour. Mix well with a fork
  • Knead for 5 minutes. It is going to be sticky. Add a bit extra flour if needed.
  • Put the dough back in a lightly oiled bowl.
  • Let is prove until double in size. 1h at least
  • Prepare the filling. In a chopping board put all ingredients but butter. Chopped all them until they are fine.
  • Add the butter, mix all ingredients and form 3 balls.
  • Once the dough has risen. Divide in 3 parts.
  • With a lightly floured rolling pin, roll each dough into a small circle, put a piece of butter in the middle. Wrap it with the rest of dough.
  • Roll the dough ball with the pin trying to form an eye-drop. It should be quick, not many passes with the pin.
  • Put the naans on a ligthly floured towel.
  • Heat up a skillet. Once hot, (just a drop of oil), put a naan. Wait until puffs up and start to get brown dots in the bottom.
  • Flip and wait for the same. Check it doesnt burn! Likely less than 1 minute.
  • Repeat for the other naans.

This is the result:

The soad bread was very tasty and super quick to make!!!

The naans were tasty too. I guess the filling can be very different.