Pan de campo
Flatbread from Texas, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pan de campo is a flatbread with a name that is thought of as country bread, camp bread, or cowboy bread.[1] The bread was a regional staple of cowboy and vaqueros of southern Texas.[2] Celebrated in several southern Texas festivals, it was named an official symbol of Texas in 2005.[3]
| |
| Main ingredients | wheat flour |
|---|---|
| Ingredients generally used | baking powder, salt, shortening, water |
Description
Pan de campo is a flatbread made from wheat flour, baking powder, salt, a fat, and water. Traditionally it was cooked in a dutch oven.[1] The resulting round loaf is 1 to 1+1⁄2 inches thick.[3] The flavor is biscuit-like.[4]
In culture
The Tejano origins of the dish have become part of Tex-Mex fusion.[5] In Larry McMurtry's novel, Lonesome Dove, the Mexican cook prepares the bread for wranglers.[6]
Sourdough bread was more widespread on cattle drives in Texas than the regional pan de campo. They were consumed along with other breads including tortillas, hoe cakes, and cornbread.[7] In June 2005, Governor Rick Perry signed legislation making pan de campo the official state bread of Texas.[3]