AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums About Belize Culture Food, Drinks & Recipes JOHNNY CAKES!!??!!

Chloe,
LOL....LOL....LOL....LOL
That's one way to approach it!!!! I just emailed a cousin of mine. Hopefully she will have one. I also emailed Sandshaker and told her to beg.
Debbie

I've never had Johnny Cakes in Belize that were made from corn meal or masa. I've only had ones made from wheat flour.

A typical recipe calls for 3 or 4 cups of flour, about 1/4 cup melted lard or other shortening, couple teaspoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 tablespoon baking power for each cup of flour and around a can of coconut milk, just enough to make a stiff dough. Mix, pinch some and roll into balls, flatten, prick with a fork, and bake in a 375-400 degree oven for 15 or 20 minutes. Kind of a heavy, sweeter version of a biscuit.

Maybe some are cooked in a skillet on the top of the stove, but I wonder if anyone is confusing Johnny Cakes with Fry Jacks -- Fry Jacks are basically the same thing except fried, usually deep fried. More like the Caribbean version of beignets.

--Lan Sluder

FOUND IT!!!!!!!!!
For all of you wanting a recipe. Go to: http://www.news.ai/ref/johnnycakes.html

This recipe is from the island of Anguilla, just across from where dear old gandma used to live. The website even has a picture of them, and they look exactly like the ones I'm familiar with. As the site states, there are a hundred different recipes. And as I recall, the ones I ate didn't have cornmeal and were pan fried. But these sound good!!!
Enjoy!!! (No word from Caribbean cousins yet)
Thank you Lan Sluder for your recipe. Actually, yours sounds more like my grandma's execept fried. Glad somebody had some input here. I was at a loss.
Debbie

[This message has been edited by Debbie (edited 08-21-2000).]

I am now the proud owner of 5 recipes for
Johnny cakes, and I don't cook. Reading each of them, I liked Lan's best with the
coconut milk.

We are leaving 9/6 for AC(yes,2 short weeks and we can hardly wait!)Will be sure to have Johnny cakes when we are there..any input on who has the best ones? Debbie..will be sure to have several and think of you!

Well! Sandshaker started this Johnny Cakes craving, by mentioning she had the best ones at Coral Beach Dive Shop, she said yes Dive shop for breakfast, alittle known fact to the visitors.

Ruby's Deli is one of the best!
You need to be there early -- the local people are there early (6 AM) to buy. I think that is a good sign....

Thanks Mary and Scott!!!
I will really appreciate your eating one of those delicious little cakes in my honor! Please let me know how you liked them when you get back. If you decide to experiment in the kitchen before you leave, Let me know that too!! Have a wonderful time.
Debbie

Debbie,
I know you are cooking up those Johnny Cakes
in your kitchen, because you cooked in
San Pedro, and most people on this board will remember the Jerk Chicken story.
Deb, Sandshaker mentioned shredded chicken as a filling, one little word of caution to you, please do not use the chicken feet. LOL

I too was raised eating this wonderful bread stuff! Down south we called them Hoe Cakes. The mixed was of flour,lard and milk. Roll onto a large ball then placed in a cast iron skillet, you then smash it into a large thick pancake, fry in a little grease, flip them when they are a pretty lite brown. As a kid I would eat a whole hoe cake just dripping with butter and homemade cane syrup. Yum!! Thanks Debbie for the wonderful flashback of a simple childhood delight!!