Crispy on the outside and pillowy soft within, these baked naan pockets are packed with a spiced paneer and sweet pea filling. The from-scratch dough gets a savory boost from garlic and nigella seeds, baking up beautifully golden. You'll love dipping the warm, tender pockets into the rich, simmered tomato sauce. They're a comforting weekend project that rewards you with incredible flavor.
Prep
35 min
Cook
50 min
Total
2 hr 15 min
Servings
6
Cuisine
Indian
Ingredients
11 ounces white flour
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. sugar
1 tsp. nigella seeds
½ Tbsp. fried yeast
1 garlic clove chopped
2 Tbsp. sunflower oil
1 Tbsp. yogurt
5 ounces warm water
8 ounces paneer cubed
4 ounces peas, frozen and thawed
2 green chili peppers chopped
1 garlic clove crushed
1 inch ginger pieces grated
Salt and black pepper to the taste
1 tsp. cumin
1 Tbsp. crème fraiche
1 Tbsp. coriander finely chopped
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
¼ tsp. turmeric for the pockets
1 tsp. sugar
1 garlic clove crushed
2 tomatoes chopped
1 Tbsp. tomato paste
Salt to the taste
1 Tbsp. coriander finely chopped
Instructions
1Combine the white flour, 1 teaspoon of nigella seeds, and 1 chopped garlic clove in a mixing bowl.
2Whisk the warm water, yeast, 1/2 teaspoon of sugar, yogurt, and 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil together in a separate bowl.
3Pour the wet mixture into the flour and knead until a smooth, elastic dough forms.
4Cover the bowl and let the dough rest in a warm spot for 1 hour and 30 minutes. This long rest allows the yeast to develop flavor and creates a softer texture.
5Pulse the chopped green chilies, grated ginger, and 1 crushed garlic clove in a food processor until well blended, then transfer to a small bowl.
6Process the cubed paneer in the food processor until broken down, then transfer it to another bowl.
7Warm 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Stir in the ginger and chili mixture and cook briefly until fragrant.
8Add the processed paneer, 1 teaspoon of cumin, thawed peas, salt, black pepper, 1 tablespoon of chopped coriander, and 1 tablespoon of crème fraiche. Cook for 4 minutes while stirring, then remove the pan from the heat.
9Clean the food processor, then blend the chopped tomatoes, 1 tablespoon of tomato paste, the remaining crushed garlic clove, salt, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of coriander until smooth.
10Pour the tomato mixture into a pan over medium heat. Once bubbling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes to thicken the sauce.
11Turn the rested dough out onto a floured surface and divide it into small balls. Flatten one ball, place 1 tablespoon of the paneer filling in the center, pull the edges over to seal, and set aside. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
12Place the sealed pockets on a lined baking sheet. Brush them with a little melted butter mixed with 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric and sprinkle with extra nigella seeds. The turmeric adds a beautiful golden color as they bake.
13Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm with the simmered tomato sauce for dipping.
Notes
Make ahead: You can prepare the tomato dipping sauce up to 3 days in advance and store it in the fridge.
Storage: Keep leftover baked pockets in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Warm the pockets in a 350 degree F oven for 5 to 7 minutes to restore their slightly crisp exterior.
Swap: If you can't find nigella seeds, black sesame seeds make a visually similar substitute, though the flavor will be slightly different.