Here's a few family recipes for some yummers Native American dishes. My aunt has these posted on several webpages, she's a recipe writing fool. I guess it's a good way to share our food with non Indian folk. We love to spread our culture!
Note that fry bread is often an NA staple. Many NAs are poor, and live on reservations and are quite often dependent on food packages provided by local churches or government commodities. These usually have staples like flour, powdered milk and cooking oil, so fry bread is a staple to many Indian households. It's cheap, easy to make and keeps without refrigeration for days.
Most tribes have a slightly different way of preparing their fry bread. This particular type is of the Choctaw and Chickasaw People, and is what I grew up on.
2 cups sifted flour
1/2 tsp. salt
4 tsp. baking powder
1 egg
1/2 cup warm milk
Stir first three ingredients then stir in the beaten egg. Add milk to make the dough soft. Roll it out on floured bread board, knead lightly. Roll dough out to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into strips 2 X 3 inches and slit the center. Drop into hot cooking oil and brown on both sides. Serve hot.
We often like to pile meat, cheese and lettuce on these and call them Indian Tacos.
Here's a fall fave, and goes with our Halloween theme, Pumpkin Fry Bread. Sprinkle it with powdered sugar or a dollop of whipping cream! So yummy!
Pumpkin Fry Bread
2 cups fresh pumpkin or 1-16oz. can pumpkin
1 tbsp. milk or water
3/4 cups brown sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. vanilla
Drop into hot cooking oil and brown on both sides. Serve hot with butter or powdered sugar.
Fry bread is delicious with chilis and soups. Since someone just mentioned vegetarian dishes in the chatbox, here is a popular recipe (not my aunt Nonie's but a popular NA one) for meatless chili.
Meatless chili
1 cup dried pinto or kidney beans
3 cups water
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cups chopped onion
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cups chopped tomatoes
1 6-ounce can no-salt added tomato paste
3/4 cup water
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
1 bay leaf
Place beans and 3 cups of water in saucepan. Bring to boil and cook 2 minutes. Do not drain. Set aside for 1 hour, then return beans to heat, adding water to cover if necessary. Simmer for 1 hour, or until beans are tender. Drain and set aside.
Heat oil in a large, deep skillet or stockpot over medium-high heat. Add onion and bell pepper. Cook until onion is translucent. Add beans and remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaf before serving.
If you like these, I'll add some more Indian recipes. I have some delicious squash recipes somewhere!