The year was 1607…
A mercenary and ambitious captain named John Smith lands in Virginia, along with many other English colonists, intending to extract the wealth of this land.
While they settled and founded the colony called “Jamestown,” the natives watched over them…
…offering them food and friendliness. After several months, Matoaka, a 12‑year‑old girl, daughter of the Powhatan tribe leader, befriends them; but the apparent calm between natives and colonists is short‑lived. The latter’s deceptions cause tension to rise, leading to conflict (meanwhile, J. Smith returns to England because of a wound, which she is told is fatal).
To obtain weapons and the release of some English prisoners held by Chief Powhatan, the governor of the English colony treacherously kidnapped Matoaka, who was 17 at the time, to demand a ransom. She was held prisoner for over a year…
In his generation, his people were decimated, driven from their ancestral lands, and their tribes dispersed onto reservations. The Navajo called that period of their history the “Walk,” and the Cherokee “The Trail of Tears.” This bread is a symbol, and to this day many of them still believe that eating it is a sacred tradition that must continue until the land is cleansed once more.
This fried bread recipe, over 140 years old, was prepared by Native Americans with the meager rations supplied by the army. It’s a staple bread and a true symbol of survival. I think it’s perfect for this challenge, given the theme proposed by Lidia from the blog “Never Too Sweet,” last month’s winner.
Fry Bread Recipe (Easy & Simple)
INGREDIENTS
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Wheat flour | 2 cups |
| Baking powder (chemical leavening) | 2 tsp (2 teaspoons) |
| Salt | ½ tsp (half a teaspoon) |
| Powdered milk (optional) | ½ tsp (half a teaspoon) |
| Butter (traditionally lard is used) | 1 tbsp (1 tablespoon) |
| Warm water | ¾ cup |
| Oil for shaving (frying) | as needed |
PREPARATION
- Mix the dry ingredients: sifted flour, baking powder, powdered milk and salt.
- Add the butter and mix.
- Gradually pour in the water until you have a smooth dough that isn’t sticky.
- Cover with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel and let it rest for 10‑15 minutes.
- Heat the oil and, in the meantime, divide the dough into 8 pieces, shape them into balls, and flatten them with a rolling pin.
- When frying, you’ll see that they will quickly begin to puff up, forming bubbles on their surface; turn them over once, as soon as they are golden brown.
- Remove them and drain on kitchen paper.
Some say the traditional recipe uses powdered milk and never yeast, while others say it’s the other way around. I made it with both ingredients and that’s it! No more arguments 😉
The texture is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside; it’s best to eat them freshly fried.
And now, let’s continue with the story…
While she was captive, Matoaka learned English and agreed to marry settler John Rolfe, a 28‑year‑old widower who fell in love with her, as a condition for her release.
She converted, from then on calling herself Rebecca. They had a son, and in 1616 the family was invited to England, where she was presented with royal honors and became the center of attention in high society, although it seems the reason was to show her as an example of the “domestication” of natives and attract business and investment to the New World.
There she learned that J. Smith was actually alive, and when she saw him, she confronted him about many things. Returning to Virginia with her husband, J. Rolfe, and their son, she died en route at the age of 22 from smallpox.
Be sure to try this quick and easy bread, which you can serve with savory toppings like Navajo tacos or Wojapi, a wild cranberry sauce. I used jam instead of Wojapi.
And other maple syrup is delicious!