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We must give credit where
credit is due. My cousin at Oklahoma City tells me a Choctaw man, named
Dan, living in a suburb at the time he was there created the first Indian
Taco. Whoever came up with it doesn't matter. The thing about it is so
many folks have enjoyed the treat.
To make the base or “taco,”
simply measure what ever amount you wish of self-rising flour in a bowl.
One cup for a couple, and more flour for a crowd. Yesterday, I was making
them so fast I was dumping five pounds of flour in a large bowl at a time.
Make a well in the middle
of the flour and pour it full of warm water (not hot). Gently mix the
water into the flour with one hand. Treat it gently and some use their
left hand for this. As you mix the dough you will see if you need more
water and simply add it. Mix the flour in, being careful not to pound or
treat it roughly. When the flour and water becomes elastic and in a ball
let it rest.
While the dough rests brown
some ground beef, chop some tomatoes in small dices, mince some onion,
grate some cheese, put out your favorite salsa. Place in a pan brown beans
which you will heat.
Use a large skillet and
pour a moderate amount of oil into the bottom. This is not fry bread so
you will use less oil. While you are waiting for the oil to heat pinch off
a piece of the dough the size to fit into the palm of your hand. Shape it
into a ball and place it onto a floured surface. With a rolling pin roll
it out until it is flat but not too thin. Now place the bread onto the
skillet touching down the edge first and in this way you will not spatter
yourself with hot oil.
When you turn the bread be
careful not to flop it over in a hurried way. You may want to use a
spatula and a fork, one in each hand so as not to splatter the hot oil.
After the bread is done on
both sides and done in the middle take it out of the skillet and proceed
with the next piece.
Now you are ready to
complete your taco.
Take a round piece of
bread and sprinkle it with cooked ground beef. Sprinkle some beans on
that and add maybe a tablespoon of juice over all. Then, sprinkle some
lettuce and next add tomatoes. Grated cheese over this and the salsa goes
on last. Have some jalapeno peppers in a dish on the table for those who
like them.
This is a great party food
since you can do everything ahead of time. The hot beans and juice will
warm the bread again. |
