Navajo Tacos Indian Fry Bread Food

MOM'S NAVAJO TACOS AND INDIAN FRY BREAD

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and saute 2 minutes, add garlic and saute 20 seconds. Scoot mixture to the side then crumble beef into skillet.
• Season with salt and pepper and cook stirring occasionally and breaking up beef when stirring, until beef has browned and cooked through. Drain fat from beef and return to skillet.
• Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, kidney beans, canned diced tomatoes and green chilis then season mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
• Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes (if you used the tomato sauce you can add in a few tbsp of water to thin a little if needed).
• Using a slotted spoon, spoon mixture over fry bread, then top with lettuce, cheese, tomatoes and sour cream (and any of the other optional toppings listed). Serve immediately.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, yeast and salt. Whisk melted butter into warm milk and pour milk mixture into dry ingredients.
• Stir until mixture comes together and slightly forms a ball, dough should be fairly sticky (if needed you can add in a little more flour or a little more water to reach a good consistency but try not to overwork the dough).
• Cover dough with plastic wrap and allow to rest 5 - 10 minutes.
• Heat 1 inch of oil in a large cast iron skillet to 350 - 360 degrees over stove top.
• Divide rested dough into 8 equal pieces.
• Working with floured hands and one piece of dough at a time (keep other pieces covered with plastic wrap), pat dough out on a lightly floured surface into a 6-inch circle and gently drop into hot oil, and cook until golden brown, then flip and cook opposite side until golden brown.
• Remove from oil and drain onto a plate or baking sheet lined with paper towels.
• Serve warm with Navajo taco filling.*

INDIAN ( NAVAJO ) FRY BREAD

Steps:

• Heat oil in skillet til hot over med-high heat.
• In a large mixing bowl pour the warm milk then add all dry ingredients and oil.
• mix into ball of dough.
• give about 10 minutes for the dough to rise.
• shape into discs.
• fry until golden brown (if too crispy the oil is likely not hot enough; The fry bread should turn golden brown fairly quickly).

AUTHENTIC NAVAJO INDIAN FRY BREAD (TACO BREAD)

Steps:

• In a heavy large frying pan heat the oil to 365 degrees; Oil is hot enough if a small test piece of dough dropped in the oil begins cooking almost immediately and rises to the top.
• Mix together dry ingredients in a large bowl; *see note about salt.
• Gradually add warm milk and mix to make a soft dough.
• When the dough has pulled together, cover and let sit in a warm place for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Break off a golf ball sized piece of dough and pat it out flat in your hand, no thicker than 1/4 inch.
• Place 2 or 3 flats at a time into the hot oil and when they begin to bubble flip them over and fry until they're a nice light golden brown.
• Remove and drain on paper towels then serve hot (keep them covered in a bowl until you're done frying).
• You can make larger flats; just make sure they're no thicker than 1/4" and fry one at a time.

NAVAJO TACOS ON FRY BREAD

Steps:

• CHILI: Sort and discard debris from beans and rinse well.
• Place beans in 3-4 quart pot with water; bring to a boil on high heat. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat; cover and let stand for 1 hour. Drain beans and set aside.
• Rinse pot and return to medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and ground beef and cook till meat is browned.
• Drain the grease and add all remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil on high heat; reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until beans are tender.
• FRY BREAD: Mix together flour, dry milk, baking powder, and salt. Add shortening and rub mixture with fingers till coarse crumbs form.
• Add water and stir with a fork till dough clings together.
• Knead on a lightly floured surface till smooth (2-3 minutes).
• Divide into 6 portions and keep covered with plastic wrap.
• Shape each into a 6-7 inch circle.
• In a 9x2 inch pan or electric skillet, heat 3/4 inch canola oil to 375 degrees. Fry each piece of dough till it is puffy and golden brown, turning once with tongs.
• Keep warm in 200 degree oven on baking sheets lined with paper towels till ready to serve.
• TO SERVE: Top each piece of fry bread with chili, and as many toppings as you like.