2 cups flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
1/3 cup ice water

In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Work shortening into flour using your fingertips as you would in making a pie crust or biscuits. Sprinkle with ice water, using just enough to keep dough together.

Cut evenly into 12 pieces and roll out into circles approximately three to four inches.

In the center of each circle, place the filling of your choice. Empanada fillings, taco meat, chicken pot pie fillings, beef stew, pasties fillings, chopped apples, blueberries, strawberry jam, cream cheese sweetened with honey; all work well, but let your creativity guide you.

Moisten the edges of each circle of dough with water. Fold dough over filling and seal edges by pressing together with the tines of a fork or pinch together well.

Fry in hot oil, about 360 degrees until light brown. When making sweet or fruit filled fry breads, dip pockets in a mixture of 1 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon after frying and while still hot.

Alternative method: Bake bread pockets at 350 degrees on a cookie sheet for 20 to 25 minutes, then dust with confectioner's sugar.