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

Sandshaker!!!
Oh my gosh. I couldn't believe it when you wrote about the Johnny Cakes! I was raised on them. Haven't had one in YEARS! Oh....What I wouldn't give for a good johnny cake. Why oh why didn't I know they had them in San Pedro while I was there.... My grandmother made them for me every morning when I was a kid, and visiting her in St. Maarten. Drank it with my hot ovaltine. What a warm, fuzzy, memory. She had a Hatian house keeper as well, who used to go on our beach pic nics with us. She would carry along the lid to a drum, build a fire on the beach, and cook them right there along with our fresh conch and fish. Absolute heaven. I'm just sick I didn't know they were there. Please. Eat one for me...........
Debbie

Boy, were you lucky! Such a great memory. I like them too!

Marvel,
Curious......Where did you have johnny cakes??? In San Pedro or elsewhere??? Were they stuffed as Sandshaker described or were they just plain?? As an adult, I have tried to make them a few times, but they just never tasted the same............ Any of you San Pedro residents willing to share your recipe? This ole Texas girl would welcome a comfort food from the past.
Debbie

[This message has been edited by Debbie (edited 08-18-2000).]

I must be from another planet.....what the heck are johnny cakes? I just want to eat one right now!

I, too, am curious about the true ingredients for Johnny Cakes. The few times I had them in SP they were kind of like a ham/egg/cheese biscuit. Is that a true Johnny Cake or a knock-off of an egg McMuffin? LOL

Can someone please help me??? I'm stuck in my kitchen with my frying pan in hand and I can't move until someone tells me how to make johnny cakes!

Compass Rose,
I'll tell you what I know..... Johnny Cakes are sometimes called "journey cakes" in other areas. They are a dense bread, like a heavy bisquit. The ones I've eaten are cooked by pan frying in a skillet or grill. They are about the size and shape of an english muffin. Grandma would pinch off a handfull of dough, roll it into a ball then flatten in with her palm. They weren't cut like a bisquit. In the old days, if someone was making a journey somewhere, they were packed in the lunch pail for the travels. They keep well. I've never eaten one that was stuffed with anything and then cooked as described by sandshaker, but it does sound good. We either ate them plain or poured honey or jam on them when warm. Don't have a recipe. Maybe if you and I keep asking, we'll get one. Bon Appetite.
Debbie

Ok here is alittle help on the Johnny Cakes.
It is similar to the Mexican Gorditas.
In a large grocery store you should be able to find MASA Corn Meal in a bag like flour.
Masa works better than regualr corn meal.
It will give you the instructions. It will
say use lard, (my locals says liquified lard)
water and salt. Fry them on a griddle or skillet. Then slice them like an english muffin, and fill with what every you please.
Good luck and eating. LOL

Chloe,
Do the Belize ones have corn meal as well?? The ones I grew up on had regular wheat flour, no corn meal or masa. Of course, grandma lived on a French island with lots of white french bread. No corn meal products. Belize and other islands have more Spanish influence. Will try to notify some of my relatives for a recipe and keep all posted. My mouth is watering and my tummy is growling!!!!!
Debbie

Hey Debbie, I did the best I could to find some info. on Johnny Cakes, I figured if I gave some info., surely someone would surface to correct the receipe for Johnnie Cakes. LOL LOL