Now you don't have to wait for the next Pow Wow.... Indian Tacos yum :)

 

Indian Tacos

(Fry Bread Tacos)
 

 

 

 

These are not completely traditional Indian Tacos, but then again nothing I make ever is. Its a version of the Indian Tacos I've loved eating since my freshman year in high school 15 years ago...wow time passes really fast. I remember the first time I had an Indian Taco at my high school's cultural food festival, it was so good I wanted to stand in line all over again just to have another one. Luckily we had more than one festival that year so I was able to have another, and one at every Pow Wow Ive been to since. I love these things. The ones I have had don't add so much stuff to the ground beef and  some have different toppings. Indian Tacos differ by regions and tribes. I'm not really sure what the difference is so I'm not even going to pretend like I do. I just know they're all equally delicious. I found this particular recipe for fry bread a long time ago, but recently Alinah told me she tried a recipe using yeast. I haven't tried it that way but it sounds like it would work well. I'll update the recipe when I have that one. But for now this recipe is easy and yummy.

 

 

 

 

I like to put a hole in the middle of the the fry bread dough after I stretched it in to a disk so it doesn't puff up too much. I'm not really sure where I got that from I just kind of started doing it since the first time I made them. So it was cool the first time Alinah saw me making them she let me know that only certain tribes make them that way and call it "holy fry bread." It was an honor for me when I learned that because for me making Indian tacos has always been really spiritual. I remember and call upon all of the other hands that have kneaded fry bread. My ancestors and all of the mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and daughters who have made them for generations before to me to feed their family. I ask them to bless my fry bread, that it will not only taste good and fill our bellies, but also bring us happiness. 

  

 

 

It is really easy to over mix the dough or burn them if the oil is too hot. So be careful, make sure the oil is hot enough to sizzle but not hot enough to cook the fry bread too fast or burn it. You should only have to turn your fry bread once, and dont brown them too much or they'll be hard to cut. This is one of those dishes you'll want to make over and over and you'll get better at it every time.

   

 

 

You can top them with any of your favorite taco toppings. Traditionally its lettuce, tomato, onion, salsa, cheese, and sometimes sour cream. But you can make them your own and add whatever you like. I like to use my moms refried beans but most of the Indian Tacos I've had at Pow Wows are made with whole beans. They good both ways so either way works. The beans go on the bottom, then the meat, then the rest of the toppings. You can eat them with a fork or just fold them up like a taco. Whatever way you choose to eat them I promise you'll love them! :)

 

 

  

 Indian Tacos

Meat:

1 lb. Ground beef or turkey

1/4 Cup Green bell pepper chopped

1/4 Cup Red bell pepper chopped

1/4 Cup Onion chopped

1/4 Cup Tomato chopped

1-2 Cloves of garlic minced

salt and pepper to taste
Taco seasoning (optional) 
Garlic salt, and/or seasoning mix to taste (optional)

Fry Bread:

2 Cups All purpose flour

1 Tablespoon Baking powder

1 Tablespoon Salt

1 Cup Milk

4 Cups Oil for frying or as needed

Toppings:

Iceberg lettuce shredded

White or red onion chopped

Tomato chopped

Cheddar cheese shredded

Sour cream

Salsa

 

Meat:

Brown the meat in a skillet over medium high heat. Drain liquids if any. Add minced garlic, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, salt, pepper, and any seasonings you are using. Cook until vegetables are tender stirring frequently so the meat doesn't stick. Set aside

 

Fry bread:

In a bowl mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in milk, mix just until dough comes together. Add more flour if it's too sticky to handle. With floured hands knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth, for at least five minutes. Let the dough rest loosely covered for five minutes.

In a large heavy skillet or frying pan heat oil to 365 degrees, make sure oil is hot enough. If you don't have a thermometer drop a tiny ball of dough into the oil, if it sizzles right away it's hot enough. If it browns too fast the oil is too hot. If it doesn't sizzle at all then it's not hot enough. Make sure oil is deep enough  because dough does puff up as it fries, so about 1 1/2 inches deep. Break off rounded pieces of dough and shape into desired sized disks about 1/4 inch thick with a depressed area and a hole in the center. Fry bread dough in the hot oil until golden brown and puffy on both sides, turning only once. Place on a plate covered with a paper towels to drain off excess oil.

 

Top fry bread with beans, meat, and desired toppings. Enjoy using a fork or just fold it up like a taco. Enjoy!! :)