Navajo Fry Bread

Two pieces of delicious Navajo Fry Bread with honey.

Ingredients:

Vegetable oil for frying

1 cup of "Homemade All Purpose Baking Mix" or store bought mix

1/2 cup flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup milk or water

Method:

Heat oil in a deep skillet to 375*F (190*C). Combine the baking mix, flour and salt in a medium bowl. Mix well with a fork. Add the milk and mix to make a soft dough. (Add an extra teaspoon or two of milk, if the dough is too dry.)  Knead the dough, about 12 times, on a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into two balls. Pat or roll each ball out to a 1/4 inch thick circles or squares. Cut each portion of dough into quarters. Fry in hot oil until browned on both sides, (about 2 to 3 minutes). Drain on paper towels. Makes 8 pieces. Serve with honey or jam.

This fry bread can also be served with beans or salad. If desired, double the recipe and cut into larger pieces to make Navajo Tacos. (The tacos are delicious and have a "Chalupa" like texture and and flavor.)

Notes: Fry Bread is a flat dough that is fried or deep fried. It is thought to have originated, in the 1860's, with Navajo Native Americans. Fry Bread can be eaten alone or with various toppings such as honey, jam, or beans. It can also be made into tacos and it is a simple complement to many meals.

Super Easy & Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits

Quick, easy, & flaky perfect biscuits.

Ingredients:

3 cups "All Purpose Baking Mix"**

2/3 cup buttermilk, half & half or milk

Method:

Preheat oven to 450*F (230C). Combine baking mix and milk, in a medium bowl, (with a fork or spoon) until well blended. Let the dough stand for 5 minutes. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough about 15 times. Roll out to a 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with a floured cutter, about 2 inches in diameter. Place about 2 inches apart on an ungreased, or parchment lined, baking sheet. Bake about 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Makes about 10 to 12 biscuits.

Notes: I prefer to use buttermilk, but regular milk will also produce nice flaky biscuits.

** Search this blog & my "Carrie's Kitchen" YouTube channel for the "Homemade All Purpose Baking Mix" recipe video.

Spiced Pecan Muffins

Quick, easy and delicious Spice & Pecan Muffins.

Ingredients:

3 cups "All Purpose Baking Mix"**

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/3 cup granulated white sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

3/4 cup chopped pecans

1 slightly beaten egg

1 cup milk

Method:

Preheat oven to 425*F. Generously grease, or line with paper liners, 10 to 15 muffin cups. Combine the baking mix, sugars, spices and pecans. Stir to mix well. Combine the egg and milk. Add all at once to the dry ingredients. Gently blend together, just until completely mixed. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffin comes out clean. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes in pans. Remove from pans and continue cooling on a wire rack. Serve warm or chilled. Store in an airtight container, or plastic storage bag, in the refrigerator.

Notes: This batter can also be baked in a loaf pan at 350*F for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a pick inserted in the center of the loaf, comes out clean.

**Search this blog and "Carrie's Kitchen" channel on YouTube for the "Homemade All Purpose Baking Mix" recipe. 

Inside a perfect muffin.

Bacon & Cheese Tart (Crustless Quiche)

A super simple and delicious "crustless" quiche 

perfect for brunch or a light supper.

Ingredients:

butter or cooking oil spray

1/2 cup dried shiitake mushrooms (optional)

hot water

3/4 cup crumbled bacon or diced ham

1 cup grated Jack, Gouda or Swiss cheese

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)

3 eggs

1 1/2 cups milk (or 3/4 milk and 3/4 cup half & half)

3/4 cup "All Purpose Baking Mix"**

Method:

Preheat oven to 350*F. If desired, put dried mushrooms in a small bowl. Add just enough hot water to cover. Generously grease a 10 inch pie pan with butter or cooking spray. Sprinkle bacon or ham in the bottom of the greased pie pan. Top with grated cheese and chopped onions. Drain water from the mushrooms. Sprinkle the drained mushrooms over the ingredients in the pie pan. Sprinkle with the paprika and nutmeg. In a blender, or a bowl with a hand mixer, thoroughly blend the eggs, milk and baking mix. Pour blended mixture over the other ingredients. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes or until a knife inserted half way between the center and outer edge comes out clean. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

One slice of  Bacon & Cheese Tart.

Notes: Serve this crustless quiche for brunch with biscuits, potatoes or mixed melons. Or, serve for dinner with a salad and/or mashed potatoes. (The leftover liquid from the mushrooms can be frozen and saved to add to a soup, noodles or rice.) 
**Search this blog and "Carrie's Kitchen" channel on YouTube for the "Homemade All Purpose Baking Mix" recipe.

Homemade All Purpose Baking Mix (A Bisquick Substitute)

This homemade all purpose baking mix is an economical alternative to 

Bisquick that is very simple to make. (Plus, you know exactly what is in the mix.)

Ingredients:
4 1/4 cups (510 grams) all purpose flour
4 1/2 teaspoons (11 grams) baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons (3.25 grams) salt
1 teaspoon (2.5 grams) cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon (1.25 grams) baking soda
3/4 cup (90 grams) instant nonfat dry milk powder
1 1/8 cups (270 grams) vegetable shortening

Method:
Sift the dry ingredients together into a large bowl. Stir to mix. Use a pastry blender, or two knives, to cut shortening into the dry ingredients, until evenly distributed. Continue to blend between your fingers, until the mixture has the texture of coarse crumbs. Put baking mix into an airtight container. Label and store, out of sunlight, inside of a cabinet or pantry, for 3 to 6 months. Makes about 6 1/2 cups (780 grams).
 ~ For high altitudes (above 3500 feet), add 1/4 cup (30 grams) extra flour, to the baking mix. ~

Notes: I use this mix to make "Grandma Kathy's Mexican Pie" ~ "Easy Buttermilk Biscuits" ~ "Spiced Pecan Muffins" ~ "Sean's Peanut Butter & Jelly Coffee Cake" ~ "Navajo Fry Bread" ~ "Bacon & Mushroom Tart (Crustless Quiche)" & "Seafood Crustless Quiche"