Navajo Tacos

Camera phone picture. Sorry.

These are something that takes me straight back to my childhood.  I grew up in Utah, and whenever we would go to the county or state fair there would always be a booth where the Navajo people were selling these tacos.  You can also use any dough recipe you'd like, or buy frozen dough like Rhodes and use that. The base is either refried beans or chili, whichever you prefer. The toppings vary, and you can put on pretty much whatever you want. They're so good!  If you have leftover fried bread, slather on some honey butter and serve it for dessert.

Navajo Tacos
(also called Indian Fry Bread)

Toppings:
1 can refried beans or chili
Shredded cheese
Shredded lettuce
Tomatoes
Avocados
Sour Cream
Salsa
Chopped black olives
Chopped green onions
Whatever else you desire!
 
Fry Dough:
1 1/4 cup warm water
1 T yeast
1 T sugar
1 T salt
3 cups flour
Oil for frying (I use either canola or peanut oil)

Dissolve yeast in warm water.  Add sugar, salt, and flour and mix until dough comes together.  Let rest in bowl for 20-30 minutes, or until a bit risen.  Divide into 8 balls.  Cover and set aside until ready to fry.
Heat 1 inch of oil in a deep-dish pan over medium-high heat.  When oil is hot (test it by putting a tiny bit of dough in.  If it bubbles and pops and browns within a minute, it's hot enough), stretch one ball of dough into a flat pancake shape.  It doesn't need to be perfectly round or flat.  Gently place flattened dough into oil and cook until lightly browned, flipping once so both sides get browned.  It should take about 2-3 minutes total to cook.  If it takes longer, your oil isn't hot enough.  If you cook it faster than that, you might have a doughy middle.  The dough should puff up as it cooks.  Cook as many at a time as can easily fit into your pan.  When they're cooked, remove with tongs and place on a paper-towel lined plate to drain.  Let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

To serve, spread some refried beans or chili on the top of a piece of fry bread.  Add cheese, then whatever other toppings you desire.  Enjoy!
Serves 6-8.