Dave Tsosie, WRHS Class of 1973
Navajo Fried Bread Recipe

For all you social types, this is a staple for feasts after sweats, at Pow Wows, an Honor dinner or any cultural gathering. For us "Navajo" any occasion is perfect for Fried Bread and mutton stew.
Ingredients:

6 cups unbleached flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 Tsp. Salt
"Warm" water (you can never tell the exact amount, just add small amounts until dough is soft and elastic ) probably about 2 cups
1 ½ to 2 cups cooking oil for frying.
Makes five to ten servings depending on size of rounds you make.
Preparation:

Sift or stir the flour, salt, and baking powder together in a bowl.
Add "warm" water to this mixture in small amounts and stir until all the dry ingredients are mixed well.
Put oil on your hands; remove dough from bowl and knead on wax paper or a clean counter until dough is smooth, soft and elastic.
When dough is smooth and soft place back into the bowl. Pinch off small amounts of dough and roll into 1-1/2 in. balls.
In an 8-in. deep saucepan or deep fryer begin heating the oil or grease until it is very hot. Add enough oil/grease so the dough can deep fry. To test oil to see if it’s hot enough, drop pea size pieces of dough into the hot oil. If they burn and char instantly, the oil is too hot, reduce heat gradually until pieces become golden brown in about 10 seconds.
Flatten the dough between the palms of your hands and pull the dough at its edges until you have small 6-in. circles or if you’re an expert like myself, you can clap them out. Option: With a rolling pin, roll out dough on wax paper into 6" round circles. Make pieces 1/4 in. thick or about 1/2 in. thick if you like thick fry bread. Poke a hole in the middle of the dough before you fry it.
Drop circles (carefully not to splash hot oil) into the hot oil until golden brown, then turn over with a long fork until golden brown on the other side as well.
Place fried bread standing on its edge on a brown paper bag or paper towels to drain excess oil.

Serve warm.

For a tasty treat, sprinkle cooked fry bread with sugar, or spread with butter, honey, jam or jelly.

Other serving suggestions:
Fried Bread as a bed for Indian Tacos.
Best when served with fresh mutton stew and cowboy coffee (boiled over an open fire pit).