Wednesday, October 05, 2011

VeganMoFo 5: Homemade Naan with Kalonji Seeds!

Today's spice is Kalonji Seeds!

I finally got to crack open my bag of kalonji seeds. I bought them about a year ago, when I read a post on someone's blog that kalonji were her #1 favorite spice. Of course I was curious! I would describe them as the offspring of a Dried Onion - Black Sesame Seed - Poppy Seed mating ritual. They are small, pungent, and flavorful, but not at all overbearing.

Plus, Kalonji seeds have the best name ever. I kept thinking that it sounded like "jumanji," which I guess the name of a game or something. I don't even know, but those two words are fun to say together over and over in your head.

It always makes me a bit sad and grumpy when the naan at Indian restaurant isn't vegan. Which is pretty much every time. So, this time, I just made my own naan! They turned out so beautifully. The naan was easy to make (though I read the recipe a little too late, and only left it to rise for 5 hours instead of 8 hours... perhaps it could have been even better??!!). I loved how quickly each naan loaf baked up in my super hot 500 F oven. I felt like a village bread baker pulling out a hot loaf of naan every 5 minutes! The bread would still be delicious without them, but adding the suggested kalonji seeds on top was definitely a great idea - they added extra flavor blasts, and a little crunchy fun. In case you don't have kalonji seeds on hand, the recipe suggests that you can also use sesame seeds, so don't let it stop you!

This recipe is from Bryanna's wonderful new book "Vegan World Feast," and you'll be seeing more recipes from this book here at VE&T. It's full of inspiring recipes from all over the world, which is pretty much right up my alley. I love a book that is not afraid to include ingredients like kalonji seeds, but then also offers sesame seeds as a totally viable alternative. That way, if I'm in the mood for an adventure, I can find it - and if I'm not, I can still make myself some naan. There are soups and salads and entrees and a totally mind-boggling dessert section that I can't wait to explore. I just got this book from Bryanna (autographed!) at the Vida Vegan Con, but I already have a long list of all the recipes I'm hoping to make from it. Keep an eye out for more deliciousness!


20 comments:

  1. You should ask for roti, instead - it's almost always vegan (but many places I've been to don't put it on the menu).

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  2. Anonymous9:48 AM

    I went on a Kalonji quest a year or two ago which lead to me finding an awesome secret Indian grocery store where I now buy rice. Those naan look delicious, I love it too. Especially garlic naam.

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  3. Cool, never heard of them. But I loooove naan.

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  4. That naan looks so incredible! What a yummy sounding spice. And I get grouchy too when the naan isn't vegan (which is, like you said, almost every time :(

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  5. Oh, yum, I love kalonji... I just kinda throw it into things here and there because it is so mild and nice. Your naan look delicious!

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  6. I love all the education I am getting from VeganMofo!

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  7. Ah, kalonji — amazing how it can transform a flat bread. I love it! Your naan is beautiful.

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  8. I love your drawings so much! :)
    And the naan looks super yummy. I've never really made a good version at home. There are a lot of cookbooks on my wishlist right now, but that one does look really inspiring!

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  9. I am seeing Bryanna's new book everywhere. I will have to get it.

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  10. That naan looks SO good. I've been hearing great things about World Vegan Feast & it's quickly working its way up my wish list.

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  11. Ooh! I have kalonji seeds! Your naan is almost as beautiful as your drawing is adorable. Jumanji!

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  12. The naan looks perfect!. I dont have the book, but i do make my own flat bread naan version once in a while.. amazingly we dont eat naan much at home with the indian food. its always the light and whole grain roti(unleavened flat bread).
    Oh and Kalonji orNigella seeds are fabulous for digestion esp with all the heavy and spicy curries :)
    you can ask for roti or chapati in indian restuarants. they should usually have them

    I am loving Mofo and finding you all!

    Richa @ Hobby And More Food Blog

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  13. Oooh, looks amazing! You should have given your loaves nipples, though. ;)

    I bought some kalonji seeds in Toronto this summer, not having a clue what to do with them, so I will have to try this! I need to dedicate an entire year to cooking through that book.

    Also, ILLUSTRATION LOVE!

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  14. I really need to get Bryanna's book!

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  15. Kalonji is fun to say!

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  16. I've never heard of them before, but they kind of look like something they have on bread sometimes in Turkish restaurants, wonder if its the same? Anyways, the naan looks wonderful! I have Grogan's Italian cookbook and its packed full of greatness.

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  17. NICE NAAN!
    I love kalonji too, I use it a lot in Indian cooking.

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  18. Nice blog ... awesome recipes ... & I love the illustrations!

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  19. It's been years since I've had naan, I'm going to have to search for a gf version and I love the image of you in your kitchen pretending to be the village bread baker. If we ever create a vegan village for all of us to live in, you'll definitely be in charge of bread ;)

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  20. Oh man, Vegan Naan. I really need to get a hold of that cookbook.

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