Jamaican Fried Dumplings

Jamaican Fried Dumplings 🇯🇲

Created By: OyerePa  

Kitchen Tools: Utensil Set, Knives Set 

Domoninique was born in Beijing, China from a Chinese father 🇨🇳 and Jamaican mother 🇯🇲. Domonique and her family were looking to move to Florida in the coming year due to the job opportunity her father received. Prior to moving to the States, they are planning a family trip to Jamaica. 

Surprisingly, Domonique did not grow up eating traditional Jamaican cuisines. A life without experiencing jerk chicken, escovitch fish, and festival must be a rough childhood. Her father was a picky eater and with her mother’s Karibbean skills it was not an issue preparing Chinese recipes.

With an upcoming trip to Jamaica booked, Domz as her mother would say, wanted to get in touch with her missing kulture. Also, she would definitely gain brownie points while bonding with her mother. She immediately jumped online and searched for Caribbean recipes. Everything looked like a foreign language, but what caught her attention was “fry dumplings”. 

Jamaican Dumplings 

Growing up in China, she was familiar with dumplings as she ate wonton dumplings just about every day and assumed that this would be a nice introduction. 😊 After reviewing the ingredients Domz noticed that Jamaican dumplings and wonton dumplings are different. 😂 Jamaican dumplings are prepared with flour and baking powder as the base whereas wontons have stuffing of meat, seafood or veggies. Domz became more interested and seek to learn more about Jamaican fried dumplings. 

History of Fry Dumplings 

As she continued her search, she learned that fried dumplings are also known as Johnny Cakes or Journey Cakes. Fry dumplings is rooted from Jamaica colonization. Workers would take these fulfilling dumplings on long trips, hence the name johnny cakes or Journey Cakes. A smile appeared on Domz face as she became more insightful of her culture. Domz called for her mother, and they began creating these amazing Jamaican style fried dumplings. 

What To Eat with Jamaican Style Fried Dumplings? 

As they finished cooking, Domz asked, “what do you eat with fried dumplings?”. Her mother replied, “fried dumplings are normally eaten with ackee and saltfish”. Domz face looked perplexed, 😕 but her mother added that it can be eaten as a stand-alone snack or can be used as a side for any dish. Domonique felt a sense of accomplishment and was eager to go on her trip to Jamaica. 

Jamaican Fried Dumplings 

Now it is your turn to make these Jamaican style fried dumplings. If you are not the best cook, no need to worry because these dumplings are quick and easy to make. You can print out the recipe below or watch it in action on KaribeTV. 📺Please do not hesitate to share your recipe with us. Simply tag @karibecompany on your media platforms. If you have any tips or suggestions, please leave them in the comments below. Enjoy these Johhny cakes and share with your family and friends! 

If you enjoyed her journey then check out her sister Nikki’s creation with pepper steak.

Fry Dumpling

Jamaican Fried Dumplings 🇯🇲

Prep Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Jamaican

Equipment

  • Karibe Knives Set
  • Karibe Utensil Set

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Cups Flour
  • 1 tbsp Baking Powder
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • 2 tbsp Sugar
  • 1 tbsp Butter
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Essence
  • Cup Water
  • Oil for Frying

Instructions
 

  • In a mixing bowl, sift in the flour, salt & baking powder.
  • Add the sugar and mix well with your KARIBE whisk.
  • Pour in some essence, followed by water at regular intervals to form a dough. Do not make the dough too wet but make it soft.
  • Keep kneading the dough to render it softer and smoother.
  • Leave it to rest for a minimum of 1hr, overnight is best!
  • Divide into 8 small pieces and make dough balls out of it.
  • Heat some oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
  • Once the oil is hot enough to fry, put these dumplings in the oil and fry them. Ensure the heat is lowered to allow the dumplings to cook through.
  • With your KARIBE slotted spoon, flip them over to fry from both the sides.
  • Take them out of the oils once done and put on paper towels to drain any excess
    oil.
  • The dumplings should look golden once done. Crunchy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside
  • Allow to cool and serve as desired.

Video

Notes

Tips
  • Dough will be soft after needing but once rested, hardens a bit.
  • You can replace water with milk.
  • The essence is an idea, feel free to leave it out.
  • Be sure to check the temperature of the oil as too hot oil will not allow the dumplings to cook evenly.
Keyword Caribbean, Fried Dumplings