Jamaican Festival Recipe
This amazing jamaican Festival is so good and easy to make as a caribbean side dish or appetizer. This sweet festival dumplings recipe is great with any entree!
What ingredients do you need for this Jamaican Festival Recipe?
Festival Ingredients
all-purpose flour
fine yellow cornmeal
granulated sugar
baking powder
vanilla extract
salt
milk a little less or more may be needed, see notes
Oil for deep frying*
Step by step instructions:
Heat a heavy bottom pot of oil that has at least 3 inches of oil in it or use your deep fryer. Turn the heat over medium heat until the temperature reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Add the all-purpose flour, cornmeal, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt to a large bowl.
stir to combine
Add the vanilla extract and milk and stir until the dough comes together. Then use your hands to lightly form the mixture into a ball.
Pinch off pieces of dough and roll them into long oval shapes. Make about 12-14 dumplings.
Once the oil has reached the temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit, fry the dough on all sides, until golden brown.
This should take about 4-6 minutes.
Remove dough and drain off any excess grease. Serve and enjoy.
Enjoy!
What is Jamaican Festival?
Jamaican Festival is a sweet dumpling made with flour, sugar, butter, and spices. It is usually served as a side dish or appetizer. It’s great with jerk chicken, jerk meats, rasta pasta and anything really.
The first time I had festival when I was a little girl I was utterly smitten. I talk often about my Jamaican heritage and this recipe is one of my absolute favorites. We don’t have it often but when we DO–baby!! I am HAPPY!
I even have a running list of Jamaican restaurants in Brooklyn that serve festival as a side dish.
This recipe is very easy to make and only requires a few ingredients. The result is a delicious, Jamaican festival dumpling that goes great with any entree! These Jamaican festivals are fried in vegetable oil until they are golden brown and put on a paper towel to rest. It’s the perfect side dish and it’s often served at Jamaican jerk festivals.
FAQs About Jamaican festival:
Q: Can I make Jamaican festival gluten-free?
A: Yes, since the main ingredient is cornmeal, you can ensure that the other ingredients like flour can be substituted with gluten-free alternatives.
Q: Can I bake Jamaican festivals instead of frying them?
A: Traditionally, festivals are fried, but you can bake them for a healthier option. However, the texture and taste might vary slightly.
Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can make the dough and keep it refrigerated for up to a day in advance.
What is the origin of Jamaican festival?
Jamaican Festival is believed to have originated in the country of Jamaica. It is a popular dish in Jamaican culture and is often served as a delicious side dish to a meal. Think of it as a dinner roll but caribbean style.
What’s the difference between a festival and a dumpling?
A dumpling is a small, cooked pastry that is usually made with flour, water, and eggs. A festival is a sweet dumpling that is made with flour, sugar, butter, and spices.
Tips and Tricks:
- Resting the Dough: Allow the dough to rest for at least 30 minutes before shaping and frying, as this helps in achieving a softer texture.
- Uniform Size: When shaping the festivals, try to make them uniform in size for even cooking.
- Proper Oil Temperature: Ensure that the oil is hot enough (around 350°F or 175°C) before frying, so that the festivals don’t absorb too much oil and become greasy.
- Drain Excess Oil: After frying, place the festivals on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil.
- Adding Flavor: Experiment with adding a pinch of spices like nutmeg or cinnamon to the dough for an additional layer of flavor.
How do you reheat Jamaican Festival?
Jamaican Festival can be reheated in the microwave or oven.
Storage Options for festival:
- Refrigerate: Store the festivals in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Place the festivals in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: To reheat, place them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until heated through. Avoid using the microwave as it can make them soggy.
What are some of the common mistakes people make when making Jamaican Festival?
Some of the most common mistakes people make when making Jamaican Festival include not boiling the dumplings long enough, not adding enough flour, and not using the right type of flour.
What is the best way to serve Jamaican Festival?
Jamaican Festival is typically served as a side dish or appetizer. It can be served with any entree, but goes especially well with chicken or fish.
Some people use a festival mix but this homemade recipe has simple ingredients and makes the best Jamaican festival. These sweet Jamaican dumplings really represent the goodness of real caribbean home-cooking.
Here are some different ways to make festival:
Sweet Potato Festival: Mix mashed sweet potato into the dough for a different flavor and texture.
Coconut Festival: Add grated coconut or coconut flakes to the dough for a tropical twist.
Cheesy Festival: Add grated cheese to the dough for a cheesy, savory festival.
Herbed Festival: Mix in finely chopped herbs like parsley or thyme for a more savory version that can be served with soups or stews.
Spicy Festival: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or finely chopped Scotch bonnet pepper to the dough for a spicy kick.
This festival taste in the perfect combination of firm dough–crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. It’s a great way to satisfy your taste buds and make one of those side dishes the whole family will love.
What other Jamaican recipes can I try?
Easy Jamaican Festival Sweet Dumplings Recipe
This Jamaican festival recipe is so easy to make at home and great to serve with any entree especially jerk dishes.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup fine yellow cornmeal
- 6 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup milk a little less or more may be needed
- Oil for deep frying*
Instructions
- Heat a heavy bottom pot of oil that has at least 3 inches of oil in it or use your deep fryer. Turn the heat over medium heat until the temperature reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Add the all-purpose flour, cornmeal, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt to a large bowl and stir to combine.
- Add the vanilla extract and milk and stir until the dough comes together. Then use your hands to lightly form the mixture into a ball.
- Pinch off pieces of dough and roll them into long oval shapes. Make about 12-14 dumplings.
- Once the oil has reached the temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit, fry the dough on all sides, until golden brown. This should take about 4-6 minutes.
- Remove dough and drain off any excess grease. Serve and enjoy.
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 119Total Fat 2gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 1mgSodium 179mgCarbohydrates 23gFiber 1gSugar 7gProtein 3g
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Hi! I’m Nellie. I am an entrepreneur, a busy mama of 3 and a wife to my high school sweetheart. I have been sharing content for over 12 years about how to cook easy recipes, workout tips and free printables that make life a little bit easier. I have been featured in places like Yahoo, Buzzfeed, What To Expect, Mediavine, Niche Pursuits, HuffPost, BabyCenter, Mom 2.0, Mommy Nearest, Parade, Care.com, and more!
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