Frybread facts for kids
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| Type | Flatbread |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | North America |
| Created by | Native Americans |
| Main ingredients | Dough, leavening agent, fat (oil, shortening, or lard) |
| Other information | State bread of South Dakota |
Frybread is a yummy flat bread that is fried in oil or lard. It's made with simple ingredients like flour, sugar, and salt. You can eat it plain or with toppings like honey, jam, or powdered sugar. Some people even put meat like venison or beef on it! It's also used to make tasty Navajo tacos.
History of Frybread
According to the Navajo people, frybread was first made in 1864. At that time, the Navajo were forced by the United States government to leave their homes in Arizona. They had to walk 300 miles to Bosque Redondo in New Mexico. This difficult journey is known as the "Long Walk."
The land at Bosque Redondo was not good for growing their usual foods like vegetables and beans. So, the government gave them flour, sugar, salt, and lard. The Navajo used these new ingredients to create frybread. Other groups, like the Puebloan peoples and Hispanos of New Mexico, also started making similar fried breads like sopapillas around this time.
Later, boarding schools also helped spread frybread among Native American communities. For many Native Americans, frybread connects different generations. It also reminds them of the challenging history of Native American people.
Frybread is often eaten at home and at special gatherings. The way it is served can be different from one region to another, and different tribes have their own recipes. You can find it at state fairs and pow-wows. However, the frybread served to the public might be different from what is eaten in private homes and within tribal families.
How Frybread is Made
A basic frybread recipe uses flour, water, salt, a little oil, and baking powder. These ingredients are mixed together to make a simple dough. The dough is then covered with a cloth for about 30 minutes to an hour until it gets bigger.
After the dough has risen, it is shaped into small balls. These balls are then rolled or pulled into flat, round shapes. Finally, they are fried in hot oil until they are golden brown and delicious!
Many different versions of this recipe exist. For example, some people use mayonnaise instead of oil in the dough to make it extra crispy. Others use yogurt or soured milk instead of baking powder to make the dough rise. This gives the frybread a rich, sourdough taste. Most frybread recipes do not use yeast because it was not usually available when this food was first created.
In many Native American homes, the frybread dough is mixed early in the morning. It is left in a large bowl, covered, to rise throughout the day. This way, fresh frybread can be made whenever it is needed.
Frybread Around the World
Frybread is a special food in North America, but similar fried doughs are enjoyed in many other places too!
In the Americas
- In 2005, frybread was named the official "state bread" of South Dakota.
- In Utah and Southern Idaho, a traditional "scone" is very much like frybread. This is because the Mormon pioneers in the 1800s faced similar challenges with limited food supplies.
In the Caribbean
- In Trinidad and Tobago, it's called fry bake. People eat it with fried shark, tomato choka, or saltfish buljol.
In Europe
- In Bulgaria, there is a similar food called mekitsa.
- In Hungary, a similar food is called lángos.
- In Greece, there is a similar food called tiganopsomo, which means "frybread" or "panbread."
- In Italy, there are similar foods like gnocco fritto and pizza fritta. Some Italian versions are very similar to the Native American recipe.
In Africa
- In Tunisia, there are similar sweet and salty foods. Bambalouni is a fried dough doughnut eaten with honey or sugar. Fricasse is a fried dough sandwich with eggs, tuna, olives, and harissa paste.
- In South Africa, it is called "vetkoek" and is usually eaten with curried mince or syrup.
In Asia
- In India, there are similar foods called puri and bhatoora.
- In China, there is a similar food called youtiao.
- In Central Asia, a similar food is called shelpek.
Nutrition Facts
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that a plate of frybread has about 700 calories and 27 grams of fat.
See also
In Spanish: Frybread para niños
