Naan Bread

Recipe and Photo from Susie Reuter

Naan is a delicious bread, served for dipping or stuffed with a variety of meats and vegetables. Topping can also be placed on top of the bread, such as hummus or artichoke dip. Naan is like pita, yet softer and larger.

• 1 package active dry yeast
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 1  1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 3 tablespoons plain yogurt
• 1/4 cup melted butter

Measure 3/4 cups warm water in a measuring cup. Add sugar and yeast. Allow yeast to soften and stir until yeast is dissolved. Cover measuring cup with towel and allow yeast and water to froth for 5-10 minutes. In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Add yeast water, yogurt, and shortening and begin to knead for 5-10 minutes until a dough forms. Place dough in bowl coated with oil and turn dough around to evenly coat. Cover bowl with towel and allow to rise in a warm area for about 1 hour or until the dough has doubled.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Divide dough into 10-12 pieces and roll out on floured surface into circles. Place rolled out dough on greased cookie sheet and brush with melted butter. Cook in oven for 8 minutes or until lightly browned and puffed up. Serve immediately or store in an air-tight plastic bag for 7 days. Also can be frozen.

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Almond Poppyseed Bread

Recipe and Photo by Susie Reuter

This moist cake is wonderful for breakfast, a snack, at the dinner table, or even dessert. Bring this to work, and your co-workers will love you forever!

• 2-1/4 cups sugar
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 3 eggs
• 3 tablespoons poppy seeds
• 1-1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1-1/2 teaspoons almond extract
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 cups milk

GLAZE:

• 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1/4 cup lemon  juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Grease bottom and sides of 2  8-inch x 4-inch loaf pans. Preheat oven to 350° F. Place oven rack in bottom 1/3 of oven.

In a large bowl, combine the sugar, oil, eggs, poppy seeds, lemon juice and extracts; beat with wooden spoon until well blended. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to sugar mixture alternately with milk, beating just until moistened.

Pour into greased loaf pans. Bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Combine glaze ingredients until smooth; drizzle over warm loaves. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Makes 2 loaves (16 slices each).

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