"Broke Food" - Fry Bread

 Broke food.... defined as something that is inexpensive, tasty, and filling, and what you eat when you're dead broke.  Admit it.  We've all had those times where there was more month than money maybe because of an emergency or some sort of snafu.  Maybe you're just determined to stay within this month's grocery budget.  You have to stretch what you have in order to make it to the next payday or next budget period.

Broke food to the rescue!

Fry Bread has the bonus of being tasty, all purpose, and can be eaten with a meal as if it's bread, used as a base ingredient for a meal (like Indian tacos), or eaten as a breakfast-type item.

I made pork green chili a couple of nights ago, and we had fry bread alongside it.  It's the base for Indian Tacos by layering fry bread on the bottom, then refried beans, taco meat, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream.  It can be eaten for breakfast as it tends to be puffy like a sopapilla, so you can pinch off a corner, fill with honey, and eat.  You can also dust it with powdered sugar and eat it like a powdered doughnut. It's really all purpose! 

Fry Bread

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1-2 teaspoons baking powder

About 1 cup of water

Skillet containing about 1 inch oil or Crisco, heated until a droplet of water sizzles.  The oil depth needs to be deep enough to accommodate the puffy bread.

Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl, then make a well in the middle.  Add the water a bit at a time, stirring with a fork until a sticky ball forms.  Knead 5 times, then cover bowl with a dish towel and allow to rest for approximately 20-30 minutes.

When ready to cook, pinch off an approximately golf ball size blob of dough.  Place an a floured surface and roll out until approximately 1/4 inch thick.  Place in hot oil and allow to cook until it puffs and edges begin to turn brown.  Then flip with tongs and cook until golden brown.  Drain on paper towels.

The great thing about this dough is it stores well in the refrigerator.  You can pinch off enough dough to make 1-2 fry bread at a time, and store the rest in the fridge.  Make fry bread for breakfast.  Stick the remaining dough in the refrigerator, then at night use the remainder to make Indian Tacos or serve alongside beans, stew, or other soup!  It's an excellent accompaniment to any hot dish.