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Tuesday, August 28, 2012

INDIAN TACOS


My mom fixed one of my favorite meals for my birthday party.  Actually, it's just about everyone's favorite.  Emily even requested Indian Tacos last month on the Fourth of July, but we stuck with good old hamburgers and hot dogs that day. While on a mission trip in New Mexico years ago, my mom received this recipe from a Creek Indian lady, so she learned from a pro!



Here's the recipe for the Fry Bread:

Indian Taco Fry Bread

4 cups flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder (fresh!)
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar
1 Tablespoon shortening-cut in
2 Tablespoons milk

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.  Add 1 cup warm water (more or less) until dough is soft-not sticky.  Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth.  Try not to add too much flour as that will make the bread tough.  Let dough rest for at least 15 minutes (Mom just turns her bowl upside down and covers the dough with it while it's resting.).
 

While dough is resting, begin heating oil in a large pan.  You could use a dutch oven but we like using a big cast iron skillet.  There needs to be about an inch or a little more of oil in the pan. 


Break off small pieces (maybe the size of a small lemon) and roll out very thin on a lightly floured surface.  The thinner your roll the dough, the lighter it will be and the more it will puff up.  Carefully place rolled piece of dough in the hot oil.  The oil should be hot enough that it immediately and continually bubbles around the bread.



After a few seconds the bread should be browning on the bottom side.  It should also be puffing up with all kinds of air bubbles.  When it is the color you desire, flip it over with tongs and brown the other side.  The longer you cook it, the crispier it will be.  We usually do a mixture of some that are softer and some that are more crispy.

Continue breaking off bits of dough, rolling out, and frying until all of the dough is used.  This really works best if you have a helper...someone to be rolling and someone to be frying/turning the pieces.  Line a baking sheet or pan with paper towels and keep the cooked pieces in a warm oven until all are finished cooking and you are ready to serve.


Top with your favorite taco chili meat and whatever else you desire: cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, olives, salsa, ranch beans, and sour cream.
 


This recipe yields about a dozen pieces of fry bread.  We usually make a recipe and a half,  because you're going to want extra bread so you can dip it in honey for dessert! 

This dish involves a bit of prep work on the front end, but it's nice to have an all-in-one dinner and dessert.

I hope you try it sometime.  You might discover a new favorite...and save yourself a small fortune when the Fair comes to town!



Linking up with
The Shabby Nest
Home Stories A to Z
Mangia Mondays at Shine Your Light 

Would you like to comment?

  1. Wow - I have never made such a thing as fry bread before! How sweet is your mom for making one of your favorite meals? I love that everyone can build there own….how fun. Is the cast iron skillet key to making it right? Because I don't one and a southern friend of mine told me it is essential to certain things like cornbread. Also how do you know if your baking powder isn't fresh????? Oh boy.

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    1. Lisa, No, Cast Iron isn't essential, it just heats so evenly it's nice to use. Any pan you normally use to fry things should work just fine. As far as the baking powder goes, it can lose it's effectiveness if it's been stored for too long. Here's a great link that explains that and gives instructions to check yours:

      http://bakingbites.com/2011/03/how-to-test-baking-powder-and-baking-soda-for-freshness/

      By the way, my cast iron is the "Lodge" brand. It is readily available at Wal-Mart or Academy Sports and is priced very reasonably. You could probably pick up a nice sized one for around $20, and most of them now are pre-seasoned!

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  2. I love me some fry bread - thanks for the recipe!! If you make extra, you can brush it with butter & garlic. It's delicious with soup! Thanks again. :)

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  3. Oh my goodness, this looks phenomenal! I am printing the recipe! Hope you had a wonderful birthday!
    Nancy
    Powellbrowerhome.com

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  4. YUM! My boys would love these, I'm afraid if I make them my simple tacos would be forever frowned upon! My favorite birthday tradition is having my mom make my favorite dinner...nothing better!

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  5. That looks delicious, sounds like something my hubby would love! Thanks for sharing!

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  6. First of all, Happy belated Birthday!!! Truly hope it was a very blessed day!

    Secondly, your mom is the cutest!

    Thirdly, let me know when you are accepting reservations. :) Yumm!

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  7. I must try this, it looks scrumptious!

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  8. You can also fry tortillas in oil which is yummy too

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