Deep South Navajo Flatbreads Food

NAVAJO FRY BREAD II

Steps:

• In a large heavy bottomed frying pan, heat 1 inch of vegetable oil or lard to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C).
• In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and milk; mix well. When the dough has pulled together, form it into small balls and pat them flat.
• Place 3 or 4 at a time into the hot oil. When the rounds begin to bubble, flip them over and cook until golden. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

NAVAJO FRYBREAD

Steps:

• Sift together the flour, salt, powdered milk, and baking powder into a large bowl. Pour the water over the flour mixture all at once and stir the dough with a fork until it starts to form one big clump.
• Flour your hands well. Using your hands, begin to mix the dough, trying to get all the flour into the mixture to form a ball. You want to mix this well, but you do NOT want to knead it. Kneading it will make for a heavy Fry Bread when cooked. The inside of the dough ball should still be sticky after it is formed, while the outside will be well floured.
• Cut the dough into four (4) pieces. Using your floured hands, shape, stretch, pat, and form a disk of about 5 to 7 inches in diameter. Don't worry about it being round.
• In a deep heavy pot, heat the vegetable oil to about 350 degrees F. You can check if you oil is hot enough by either dropping a small piece of dough in the hot oil and seeing if it begins to fry, or by dipping the end of a wooden spoon in and seeing if that bubbles. Your oil should be about 1-inch deep in a large cast-iron skillet or other large heavy pot (I actually use a 2 inch deep frying pan)
• Take the formed dough and gently place it into the oil, being careful not to splatter the hot oil. Press down on the dough as it fries so the top is submersed into the hot oil. Fry until brown, and then flip to fry the other side. Each side will take approximately 3 to 4 minutes to cook. Place the cooked Fry Bread on a paper towel to absorb excess oil.

NAVAJO FRY BREAD - TRADITIONAL

Steps:

• Mix the flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Gradually stir in the water and work it in, adding more water a little at a time, if needed.
• Knead by hand until soft but not sticky. Form the dough into a round ball, cover and let stand for about 30 minutes. Shape into 2" balls.
• Heat shortening or cooking oil in a 1 1/2 " deep frying pan until hot.
• Flatten each ball of dough by patting and stretching into a pizza shape. Carefully place the dough into the hot oil.
• Fry until edges of the bread are golden and turn to cook the other side. Makes 4-5 pieces.
• Layer the beans, chilis, onion, tomato,lettuce, cheese and if desired sour cream dollops on top of each piece of fry bread to make Navajo (or Indian) Tacos
• Fry bread may be served with stews or drizzled with honey or powdered sugar for dessert. Many Navajo cooks prefer to use "Bluebird" a high-gluten flour, in this recipe. Variations: The Navajo Nation in Window Rock serves a taco topped with chicken, chili beans without the beef and the remaining ingredients.

3-INGREDIENT FLAKY FLATBREAD

Steps:

• Whisk flour, salt, and baking powder in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and slowly add 2/3 cup water, mixing with your hands or a wooden spoon, until a shaggy dough forms. Knead dough in bowl until smooth and elastic, about 4 minutes. Transfer dough to a clean work surface. Wipe out bowl and grease lightly with oil. Return dough to bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rest 30 minutes.
• Turn out dough onto a clean work surface. Using a bench scraper or large knife, cut into 6 equal pieces. Shape into balls, cover, and let rest 15 minutes more.
• Grease a large cookie sheet or the underside of a rimmed baking sheet with 1 Tbsp. butter. Line another rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
• Place 1 piece of dough on prepared cookie sheet. Pat down to a flat oval with your fingertips, then smear 2 Tbsp. butter over dough. Press and slide dough outward with your fingertips, stretching to a very thin oval, about 12x10".
• Starting at 1 long end, roll dough over itself to create a long tube about 1" wide; flatten slightly. Starting at 1 short end, roll into a coil like a jelly roll. Transfer to parchment-lined sheet; cover with a kitchen towel. Repeat with remaining dough. Freeze, covered, 15 minutes.
• Working one at a time, turn coil on its side and flatten to a disc with your palm. Using a rolling pin, roll into a rough oval about 8x4". Transfer to freezer. Repeat with remaining coils and freeze until ready to use.
• Heat 1 Tbsp. butter in a griddle or large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Add 2 pieces of dough, reduce heat to medium, and cook flatbread until bottom is golden brown with large bubbles forming underneath, about 3 minutes. Flip and continue to cook until second side is golden brown, about 1 minute more. Repeat with remaining dough, adding 1 Tbsp. butter before each batch.