Dissolve the yeast and sugar in the warm water, and set aside for 10 minutes to activate. It will become frothy, and have that distinctive yeasty smell.
In the meantime, mix the flour, salt, and baking soda, plus the seeds and coriander (if using) together in a large mixing bowl, then once it's ready, add the yeast mix, plus the yoghurt and oil.
Using your fingers, mix everything together until it forms a soft dough.
Knead the dough in the bowl for five minutes, until it's smooth and elastic.
Form into a ball, and remove it from the bowl while you brush a little oil over the bottom and sides. Return the dough to the bowl, and brush a little oil over the top.
Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel, and leave to prove (rise) in a warm place for 2-4 hours. (How long depends on the temperature of your home.) (note 2)
Once the dough has risen to double its size, tip it out of the bowl, and knock it back (punch it!) to remove the air.
Knead it again for another five minutes, then divide into four equal balls.
Set aside on a lightly-floured surface for another 30-40 minutes to rise again.
Dust each piece of dough with a little flour, flatten between your palms, then roll into a circle or teardrop shape about 1.5cm (½ ") thick.
Heat a heavy skillet over a high heat until it starts to smoke.
Lightly brush one side of a naan with water, and place – moistened side down - onto the hot skillet. (note 3)
Cover with a lid, and cook for around a minute. There should be bubbles on the surface of the naan, and it should come away easily from the pan.
Flip the naan over, and cook, uncovered, for another 30-90 seconds, until it develops charred spots on the underside.
Remove from the skillet, and if you want, brush with a little coconut oil or vegan butter. Wrap in a clean tea towel to keep warm while you cook the rest of the naan.
Serve with your favourite wet curries.
Individually wrapped in tin foil, and kept in the ‘fridge, the cooked naan will keep for two to three days. Reheat, wrapped in foil, for a few minutes in a warm oven before serving.
Notes
If you don't want to use sugar, use 1½ teaspoon warmed maple syrup (as I do for my bagels).
During cold weather, I sometimes find that my dough doesn’t rise very well, even with the heating on, so I heat the oven on its lowest setting for half an hour, switch it off, then put the covered bowl inside to prove. This kick-starts the rising process.
Brushing one side of the naan with water gives it a slightly crispy surface but there’s no need to brush the other because the steam from cooking it with a lid will be sufficient.
This is an updated version of my original recipe, published in December 2015.