A little over a year ago, my hairdresser got me addicted to a dangerous drug.
Okay, it’s not a drug, it’s actually a website, called Pinterest, but it’s just as addictive as any drug and can easily suck up hours upon hours of your life. I’m assuming you’ve heard of it?
When I first discovered it, I would spend hours looking at what others had “pinned” and “repinned,” and then repinning things myself. I repinned with the intention of trying every single thing, but as of now, the percentage of things I’ve actually tried is pretty small. A lot of these pins were of “my dream kitchen” or yet another pair of knee-high boots because I can’t seem to get enough of these things. Most of these repins, however, were of vegan recipes. Being newly vegan, I was astounded by the number of incredible vegan recipes and I couldn’t wait to try them all (fast forward to a year later, where I’ve only tried a handful of them).
During this time, I discovered many different talented bloggers, one of which was Vegan Richa (though she was Hobby and More back then). Someone had pinned her post, “Naan- plain, avocado, garlic, stuffed and more” (which, as it turns out, is her most popular post of all time). Stuffed naan? Sign me up! Avocado naan? Heck yes! Then I spent more time on her site and found that there was this chick in Seattle making all kinds of crazy vegan Indian food and breads and other delicious things and I drowned in my own drool wondered how I hadn’t heard of her before.
A year later, I’m sharing that first recipe that drew me to Richa’s site: Naan. Avocado Naan to be exact. I’ve never made naan before, but Richa’s instructions made it very simple. I chose to do the oven-baked method and I couldn’t have been more pleased with the results. The naan were only subtly green, but they were so moist and perfect. The avocado lends a richness to it without weighing it down. Not too bready, not too oily, just perfect. They were so delicious with the dish they accompanied, but you’ll have to stay tuned to find out what that was!
I can happily say that I spend less than half an hour a week on Pinterest these days. I do, however, spend many hours lusting after other people’s creations and I’m making more of a point to actually try their recipes out these days. I’m so proud of my naan-making experience and can’t wait to take a stab at Richa’s other variations. If you like bread, or naan, or avocado, or things that just taste incredible, you should probably do the same.
Photography by Chris Miller
 |
that naan looks delicious!! i’m sad i never got to try naan in my pre-gf days. it looks just so perfect. i love the subtle hint of green, too!
Thanks! You know, Richa has a gluten-free version you should try. It looks awfully good as well.
I was a bit late to the Pinterest party but love it now that I am there. I try to use it as a list of recipes to try, too, but my list is always growing and growing. I bookmarked Richa’s recipe, too, but ended up making banana naan for my last Indian feast (had bananas and no avocados at that time). Glad to hear this worked out well.
Thanks Janet- I’ve got to try the banana naan! That’a great idea- you could even do a more “dessert” type naan too. You’ve opened up a whole new world of ideas!
This na’an recipe is fantastic! I love it that it calls for avocado, which I almost always have on hand. Ever since I made it a month or two ago, David has been asking for it weekly. In addition to making some more Indian stews to go with it, I’m eager to use it as a base for mini pizzas.
I totally know what you mean about pinning like mad and then realizing you almost never make anything from it. I also have been meaning to make more from my pins. It all looks so good, and so why not?
yay! awesome.. i dont always have avocados on hand:)
thank you Cadry and Kristy for trying it out and liking it!
Truly- twas a pleasure.
I’m not surprised that David wants it all the time now- it’s pretty great, and aside for the long rising time, is so simple to make! I can’t wait to try it again.
Naan is one of my all-time favorite breads – throw in some avocado (the color!!) and I’m all OVER it! Thank you Kristy and Richa!
The avocado adds a richness that I’ve never had in a naan before- Richa is a genius, I tell ya!
This brings a huge smile to ma face! its been a while since i made the avo naan. whenever i do make any naan i do choose the avo one over the usual one.. comes out much more softer and fun!
i wan pinning like crazy a few months back, but lately its been slow..there is just too much stuff to be done.. submitting pictures everywhere, networking in so many ways.. i have no clue how you are back to blogging so soon:) i am still lazying around.. 3 days of sappy hindi movies and house hunting and now i have to whip up some diwali desserts.. chewie, can you please be of some help other than looking cute and cuddly.
I totally know what you mean- Between work and just trying to keep up with the blog, I do not have time for Pinterest or even FB as much. Keeping up with comments and other people’s blogs is even tougher. I feel like I’m always playing catch up. I need a few days of movies and just ordering in- that sounds SOOO GOOD! I think that’s what Thanksgiving weekend will be- just the two of us, some left-overs, and some old movies.
Beautiful! Too funny as my next post is a curry – I had thought I’d attempt a home made naan too to go with it and alas it wasn’t in the cards – and now I don’t need to!! This looks amazing, thanks you guys! XO
I can’t wait to sit down and read your curry post- just the title is making my mouth water! Take care, Shira! xoxo
Wow … your naan looks amazing … it’s making me drool (seriously). Thank you for introducing us to Vegan Richa … my new passion is Indian food so I’ll be checking out her recipes soon.
Oh good! I was so hoping to inspire others to check out Richa’s blog and get into more Indian cooking. I’m still learning, but the intricate layers of flavor are so amazing- I’m loving experimenting with it!
Richa is so awesome! I always look at her baked goods and wonder where I went wrong in life. ha ha You did her recipe justice, these look so good!
I know! She inherited some sort of baking gene that clearly does not run in my family. If it does, it definitely passed me over.
Um…so I really really love bread, naan, avocado, AND things that just taste incredible. I guess I am way overdue for making this!?! It looks sooo good!
Then this recipe is TOTALLY for you, Melissa!
Wow Kristy thanks for sharing these! I somehow missed these on Richa’s blog! Looks delicious and I am always on the lookout for a vegan naan
Thanks Gabby- this one is totally worth trying out! She has a gluten-free version as well that looks pretty dynamite! (Did I just say “dynamite”?)
Now I am blushing! Thank you Kristy for the gorgeous post and everyone for the sweet words! It is one gorgeous Monday!
I love pinterest – I use it more so for inspiration, it is amazing to see how much talented is out there!
This Naan looks incredible, thanks for sharing with us your experience with this recipe- Richa is pretty incredible isn’t she!
That bread is sooo stinking gorgeous! No wonder you love Richa! I totally need to make it!!!
Thank you- isn’t she a treasure?
Oh dear, I still have issues with Pinterest. Such a time waster! But I cannot stop pinning! LOL
Love the hint of green in his naan. I have to try this! I love naan and i LOVE avocado
You totally have to try this- you’ll love it!