Aboriginal Fry Bread Recipe

June 21st is National Aboriginal Day. Celebrate by trying out this authentic family recipe for sweet or savoury bread

Courtesy of Nk’Mip winemaker Justin Hall and family

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ to 1 tsp yeast
• 1¼ cups warm-ish water
• Vegetable oil for frying (deep enough to allow the dough to float in the pot)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together.
2. Form a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and add warm water. Mix until everything is combined.
3. Cover and let it sit in a warm place until the dough doubles in size. This process can take between 1 to 2 hours.
4. When the dough is ready, start heating your oil in a saucepan to 200 C.
5. Thinner pieces turn out better, so place a small amount of oil in your hands and on the counter, then pull off a piece of the dough using your own weight to thin it out before cooking.
6. Repeat this process until all of your dough is in small, thin rounds (about 5 inches diameter).
7. Place the dough into the hot oil and watch it carefully. It will begin to bubble immediately and turn golden brown within one minute if the oil is hot enough. If it doesn’t bubble or brown quickly, your oil is too cool. Remove this piece and allow the oil to heat up before frying again.
8. Each piece will take about 4 to 6 minutes to cook. Halfway through the cooking process, you will need to flip the dough so it cooks evenly.

Serving Suggestions

Sweet

• Dust it with cinnamon sugar.
• Top with chocolate sauce and fresh fruit.
• Keep it simple with butter and homemade jam.

 Savoury

• Enjoy it as it comes out of the pan!
• Top with local smoked or cured salmon, fried capers and herbed cream cheese.