Ojibwe Zaasakokwaan Native American Fried Bread Recipe 45

NATIVE AMERICAN BREAD

Steps:

• Begin by making an open fire oven with coals.
• In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water and let stand for 5 minutes. In a separate large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and lard. Knead thoroughly, and then add the yeast mixture and continue to knead until it has reached a dough consistency.
• Cover dough with a clean kitchen towel and set in a warm dark place to let rise for 45 minutes.
• Divide dough in half and knead again to remove any air pockets. Place each half in a separate aluminum pan and press the dough down.
• Push the coals and ashes of the fire to one side, but do not put fire out. Place the aluminum pans on the clean ground of the open fire oven, and bake for 45 minutes.
• Slice and serve with butter.

OJIBWE ZAASAKOKWAAN (NATIVE AMERICAN FRIED BREAD) RECIPE - (4/5)

Steps:

• Heat your electric skillet to 400 and fill with vegetable oil 1/2" deep. A deep fryer might also be used. Mix dry ingredients together well in a medium sized bowl. Beat egg separately and add to dry ingredients. Heat milk for 45 sec to a minute in the microwave and add slowly to the mixture. Begin kneading in the bowl and once it seems a little more uniform, turn it out onto your "flour'd" kneading surface and knead for a minute or two. Role the dough out until it is (ideally) 1/2 an inch thick. Once the dough is a uniform thickness, cut it into 2″ wide strips. A pizza cutter would be perfect for this. Next cut a slice through the middle of each piece of dough. Leaving the ends intact. You are then ready to fry your bread! Place them in the oil carefully, and let them brown for a minute or two before turning and doing the same to the other side. Remove from the oil and let drain on a paper towel laden platter.

NATIVE AMERICAN FRY BREAD

Steps:

• Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the mixture.
• Dissolve yeast in the warm water in a small bowl. Pour into the middle of the flour mixture. Mix together lightly and rapidly until dough is moist and soft. Allow dough to rise slightly, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Pinch off a 2-inch piece of dough with well-floured fingers. Stretch it into a round 5 to 6 inches in diameter, working in more flour if needed.
• Deep-fry dough until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining dough.

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 FRY BREAD I

Steps:

• In a large bowl mix together flour, non-fat dry milk powder, baking powder, and salt. Cut in 5 tablespoons of the lard into the dry mixture until it resembles fine crumbs. Add the ice water and mix until the dough pulls cleanly away from the sides of the bowl.
• Cover with a towel and set aside for 2 hours.
• Divide the dough into two large pieces. Shape each piece into a circle. Roll each piece out on a lightly floured board to 1/4 inch thick. Make 2 parallel cuts through the dough without cutting all the way through. Let the dough rest briefly.
• Heat the remaining lard in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once it is hot, add the first shaped dough. Fry for 4-5 minutes on the first side, until golden, turn over and finish cooking on the second side for 3-4 minutes. Remove the bread from the skillet and drain onto paper towels. Sprinkle with sea salt, if desired. Keep warm while second section cooks.
• Cut bread into wedges. Serve warm.

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.