Fry Bread

Most of the recipes here at O Taste and See come from our Southern Heritage, but this one comes from the “Indian” side of our family.

I mention often “Grandma” (my husband’s mom) and all the wonderful recipes I’ve gotten from her. Even though this Fry Bread recipe came from her, it originated (rather reluctantly) with “Grandpa” (my husband’s dad).  

Grandpa is Comanche Indian, and his family is originally from Oklahoma.  He joined the military and met and married Grandma while stationed in Alabama.  As they had occasion they would visit his family back in Oklahoma.  As most moms do, his mother would make some of his favorite foods when they visited…one of them being Fry Bread.  Grandma thought it would be nice to learn to make Fry Bread so he didn’t have to wait for their occasional visit to Oklahoma to enjoy it.

Southern women regard asking for a recipe as the highest of compliments so imagine her surprise when the recipe WAS NOT given…reason being…Grandma isn’t “Indian”..so no recipe.  I’m not sure how many times she asked but each visit the answer was always the same…NO!

On one visit, evidently very determined, Grandma decided she was coming home with this recipe, so she watched carefully (probably from a distance) as Fry Bread was being made.  She was only able to get the ingredients, exact measurements were hidden from her view, but that’s all she needed to go home and figure it out.  I’m not sure if she found it in a cook book or by trial and error, but it was long before the days of the internet so I know she didn’t “google it”.  Whatever the case, our family is certainly glad she figured it out!  It’s our favorite bread to serve with chili but it is also used to make “Navajo Tacos” and Sopapillas. (Recipes coming soon)

Here’s the Recipe:

• 2 cups self rising flour
• 1 tablespoon shortening
• 3/4 cup very hot water
• about 1 cup of oil for frying

In a large bowl, cut shortening into flour

Add hot water and mix just until combined – it won’t be smooth

Turn dough onto a well floured surface and knead 8-10 times until smooth

Form a ball with the dough

Divide into 8 smaller balls

Cover with a towel and let stand at least 10 minutes

As long as the dough is covered it can stand an hour or so until ready to cook

When ready to cook, flatten each piece to about 1/4″ thickness

Poke a whole in the center

Heat oil in a small skillet 

Place one dough round into hot oil and fry

I recommend cooking one at a time.

Turn to cook both sides evenly

Cook until golden brown, then drain on paper towels

Serve Hot

Be careful to watch the temperature of the oil…it can get too hot quickly and cause bread to burn

No Tomahawks were actually used in the making of the Fry Bread!

Indian Fry Bread

2014-02-04 21:04:59

Yields 8

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Prep Time

20 min

Cook Time

15 min

Total Time

35 min

Prep Time

20 min

Cook Time

15 min

Total Time

35 min

Ingredients

1. 2 cups self rising flour
2. 1 tablespoon shortening
3. 3/4 cup very hot water
4. about 1 cup of oil for frying

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, cut shortening into flour
2. Add hot water and mix just until combined - it won't be smooth
3. Turn dough onto a well floured surface and knead 8-10 times until smooth
4. Form a ball with the dough
5. Divide into 8 smaller balls
6. Cover with a towel and let stand at least 10 minutes
7. As long as the dough is covered it can stand an hour or so until ready to cook
8. When ready to cook, flatten each piece to about 1/4" thickness
9. Poke a whole in the center
10. Heat oil in a small skillet
11. Place one dough round into hot oil and fry
12. Turn to cook both sides evenly
13. Cook until golden brown, then drain on paper towels
14. Serve Hot

Notes

1. Be careful to watch the temperature of the oil...it can get too hot quickly and cause bread to burn

By Elaine Carr

O Taste and See https://otasteandseeblog.com/