Navajo Tacos and Fry Bread

When I was growing up we lived in Orem, Utah. In my ward (Our local congregations are called wards (or branches for smaller congregations). They are organized geographically and members attend a ward or branch near their home.) the Relief Society put together a Cookbook. In it was a recipe for Navajo Tacos and Fry Bread. A member in the Relief Society was of Indian decent and she taught us how to make them. Tonight we had the fry bread part but I kindof made up a recipe for the topping. I will put up both versions, mine and hers for the meat mixture. (Thank You Tilda Willie for teaching us to make these recipes. Really miss you.)

Navajo Tacos

Ingredients

• 2 cups pinto beans (dry)
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can tomato sauce
• Chili seasoning (mild)
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 1/2 cup cheese, shredded
• Lettuce, chopped
• Salsa Sauce

Directions

1. Presoak beans overnight with twice as much water.
2. When ready to cook, drain water and put in a large pot with fresh water, 1 inch past beans.
3. Bring to a boil and turn to low to simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Do not add water while cooking.
4. Brown ground beef; drain fat.
5. Add meat to beans, tomato sauce and chili seasoning.
6. Simmer for another 30 minutes.

Fry Bread

Ingredients

• 3 cups flour
  
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• 1 Tbsp powdered milk (can do without)
• 1 1/4 cup warm water

Directions

1. Prepare dough 1/2 to 1 hour before beans are done.
2. Combine dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.
3. Add 1/2 of water and mix with hand and continue to add water until water is gone.
4. Knead in bowl with had until dough is smooth and elastic. Add a little more flour if too sticky.
5. Cover and let rise.
6. When ready, squeeze off a small tennis ball size and roll out on floured surface until 1/4 to 1/8 inch thickness.
7. Deep Fry in hot shortening in a deep Dutch oven or cast iron skillet. Brown on both sides.
8. Drain on paper towels.

On a plate put bread, beans, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. Top it with salsa sauce.

**If you want to make Navajo Tortillas, Roll out to 1/8 inch thickness and cook on hot grill. I have never done this but she says you can**

My filling recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 container of  medium Wholly Salsa (they are in the refrigerated section next to the Wholly Guacamole. I got 4 for free with coupons so I wanted to use it.)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can green chilies
• 1 can pinto beans
• 1 can tomato soup

Directions

1. Cook ground turkey.
2. Add other ingredients.
3. Bring to boil.
4. Simmer while making fry bread.

** I served ours with cheese on top, lettuce and sour cream since that is all we had** lol