Veldt Bread (Namibia)

When we went to Disney World, I found the recipes at Animal Kingdom Lodge delicious and totally fascinating. This little journey into "The World" piqued my interest and kept me looking for other recipes from Africa, whether inspired by India or Europe. Hence this Veldt (or Wild) Bread. Simple, spicy and different from the norm, it would be great to serve at a wine and cheese party, or with dips of all kinds at your next gathering, along with Naan and other African breads. <From cdkitchen.com> The early European pioneers (Boers) were ill-equipped to produce the conventional breads of their homeland, and so developed this spicy substitute which has become a national specialty. This recipe produces a loaf of about 900 grams (almost 2 pounds). 
Note: I used the converter tool on my computer to adapt the recipe to Western amounts. Simply type "convert (grams to cups or mL to tsp)" or whichever you would like 'translated' to an amount you can understand. Being Canadian, I have no problem with metrics but even I got confused without the converter. Because of the conversion, you may have to add a wee bit more flour or milk to get the right consistency.

Veldt Bread

A change from the norm - a bit drier, a bit denser but delicious

INGREDIENTS:

• 50 grams margarine (scant 1/4 c)
• 450 grams whole-meal flour (approx. 2 c)
• 20 milliliters baking powder (4 tsp)
• 50 grams brown sugar (scant 1/4 c)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 150 milliliters skimmed milk (1/2 c plus 1/8 c)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS:

Sift flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Mix in the sugar and spices, then add the margarine. Rub the margarine into the mix until it is crumbly. Form a well in the middle and pour in the milk and egg. Mix together into a stiff dough, and put on a floured board. Knead dough for 10 minutes until smooth. Grease the inside of a 900 g (preferably pyrex) loaf tin with the oil (cooking spray will help release the bread afterward). Cook for approximately 40 minutes in a 400 F oven. The cooked loaf should sound hollow when tapped. If not, bake 10 more minutes, then turn onto a rack to cool. Excellent with butter and honey.

Naan Bread (Sanaa at WDW Animal Kingdom Lodge)

Animal Kingdom Lodge is second to none where food, friendliness and ambiance are concerned. Imagine standing on your balcony and seeing zebra or giraffes! Here is a recipe we were given after touring Sanaa, one of the beautiful restaurants at Animal Kingdom Lodge. With this recipe, India meets Africa to create a delicious flat bread (Naan Bread).

Naan Bread (Sanaa, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge)
This recipe makes 5 (8-inch) breads. Delicious! Serve with a mango dip, cucumber dip, hummus or your choice of other dips.

Ingredients

• 3 2/3 c all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp coarse salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 c milk
• 2/3 c warm water
• 1 tsp canola oil
• 4 tbsp butter, melted

Preparation

1. Combine flour, sugar, salt and baking soda in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; stir to combine.
2. Combine milk, water and oil in a medium bowl; whisk to combine.
3. With the mixer running, pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. As soon as the mixture comes together, switch attachment to the dough hook and mix until dough is smooth and no longer sticky. Do not over-mix.
4. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature for one hour.
5. Place a pizza stone on the top rack of the oven, positions approximately 6 inches below the broiler. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees for at least 30 minutes.
6. Divide dough evenly into 5 pieces. On a lightly-floured surface, roll each piece into an 8-inch circle.
7. Turn oven to broil. Carefully slide one circle of dough onto the preheated pizza stone, and broil until bread is bubbled and golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Watch carefully: the bread can burn very quickly. Repeat with remaining dough rounds.
8. Brush the warm bread with melted butter, serve immediately.