Jamaican Fried Sweet Dumplings (Festival)

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup (100g) fine cornmeal
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup (180 ml) cold water, plus more as needed
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Before you cook

• Whisk the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, sugar and salt together in a large bowl.
• Stir the vanilla into the cold water.

Steps

1. Pour the water gradually into the dry ingredients, mixing with your hand or a spoon.
2. Knead the mixture briefly in the bowl until it forms a smooth, stiff dough, adding a splash more water if it feels dry.
3. Cover the dough and let it rest for 10 minutes.
4. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces.
5. Roll each piece between your palms into a short log shape, about 3 inches long.
6. Pour about 2 inches of oil into a deep, heavy pot and heat it over medium heat to 340°F (170°C).
7. Lower a few dumplings into the hot oil, without crowding the pot.
8. Fry for 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until deep golden brown all over.
9. Lift the dumplings out with a slotted spoon onto a plate lined with paper towels.
10. Repeat with the remaining dumplings, letting the oil return to temperature between batches.
11. Serve the dumplings warm, alongside fried or escovitch fish.