Entry #2 - Family Traditions

Navajo Fry Bread

 

Growing up I have always admired the many inspiring dishes my mother made, some of which she was able to pass down to me. One of her most famous dishes was her lamb stew with fry bread. Today, I will pass her teachings of how to make the best fry bread, followed by my version of how to make all the fixings to complete a Navajo Taco, with a Mexican twist.

 

Caution: This recipe is not for those who are prone to using a fork for mixing dough, or a rolling pin for stretching out dough. So, put the rolling pin and fork away, because they are not needed.

 

 
Serving size: 4

Prep time: 15 min

Cook time: 8 min



 

You will need:

 

2 cup flour (Blue Bird brand is recommended)

3 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

2/3 cup warm water

1 cup shortening (you may also substitute with vegetable oil)

1 Iron Skillet
Extra flour (to flour each piece of dough)

 

 

**Please note - Rolling pin or fork not needed**

 

Combine flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium size bowl, and mix together by hand. Pour warm water over the flour mixture a little at a time and stir the dough by hand in a circular motion, trying to get all the flour into the mixture to form a ball. TRY not to KNEAD the dough, as this will make dough difficult to stretch.

 

Separate dough into 4 pieces. In a small bowl roll the pieces of dough in extra flour to avoid the dough from sticking to hands. With each ball of dough in your hand begin to shape, stretch, and pat (as you would do while singing the Patty Cake song) into a disk of about 5 to 7 inches in diameter. To avoid dough from plumping up in the middle, poke a hole in the center.

 

 

In an iron skillet, heat oil on med hi. You can check if oil is hot enough by dropping a small piece of dough in the hot oil, and if it tumbles and turns golden brown it is ready. Oil should be about 1-inch deep.

Take the formed dough and gently lay into the oil. Fry until brown, and then flip to fry the other side. Each side shouldn't take more than a minute. Place the cooked Fry Bread on a paper towel to absorb excess oil.