Let’s see, what is a yaniqueque and where did it come from? You know what? there seem to be a lot of theories and quite the disagreement. One popular theory is that it came from the British West Indies and it is a corruption of the name Johnny Cakes, a dish with which it shares very little in common.
Other equally argued-for theories exists. But I am not a food historian and I am confortable accepting that the answers to these questions are not quite vital.
There are also several variations of the same dish throughout the island, to further complicate things. This is the yaniqueque as I know it.
These delicious, crunchy, flaky, deep-fried fast food wonders are a must-have on a visit to Boca Chica, the popular Dominican beach.
Aunt Clara
Street food and beach fare. You can find large yaniqueques (or yanikekes) sold as snacks, small ones to serve with cocoa.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
- 8 tablespoons of cold water
- 2 cups of oil (for frying)
- Salt
Instructions
- Mix the baking soda, a teaspoon of salt and the flour.
- Pour the cold water in the flour.
- Mix everything with your hands on a slightly floured surface until everything is well mixed, don't knead the dough (add some flour is it is too sticky or water if it is too dry).
- Let dough rest for ten minutes covered in plastic film.
- Extend with a rolling pin on a lightly oiled surface until it is very thin.
- Cut into circles and punch holes in them with a fork. If the circles are a bit misshapen don't worry, that's how they look when you buy from street vendors.
- Fry in hot oil until it turns golden brown.
- Sprinkle with sea salt and leave on a paper towel for a minute before serving.
Important Notes
Yaniqueques come in all sizes, from the LPs (those were some big disks which were popular before cassettes and CDs, for you whippersnappers) to little ones served with chocolate de agua for breakfast. Make yours in whichever size you like. I prever mine about 5" in diameter as they are easier to handle.
Aunt Clara's Kitchen is a collection of traditional Dominican and Dominican-inspired recipes, home ideas, crafts, and the chronicles of Aunt Clara and Aunt Ilana's adventures.
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Ayy mama ! Extra~o tanto comerme un buen yaniqueque !
I tried these and had a horrible result. My mother made these, but used a different recipe (she was from the Dominican Republic, San Pedro de Macoris. I wanted to get the crunchy effect, but got a rubbery result. I measured all the ingredients first, including the ice cold water. I ended up having to use about 3 more tablespoons water (the mixture was too crumbly). When I fried them they rose up (like a pocket bread). After that I used small cuts to reduce that, but within a minute after being on the paper towel, the dough was anything but crunchy. I would appreciate any tips for what to watch out for. They cooked very fast too! Almost as soon as I put them in the oil, it was time to turn it.
I am not sure what the problem was, Karen. When I have the time I will make step by step pictures of the process.
2 CUPS OF OIL!!! I am Dominican born and raised.. I have never seen anyone put so much oil in this recipe.. Aunt Clara do you really make this recipe??
As a matter of fact I did, that's where the pictures came from.
The oil is for deep frying (it is mentioned in the recipe). Deep frying requires that things be, er… deep in oil. Have you ever seen it fried in streets stands? They usually use about a galon of oil.
Ohhhh this did to come out the way it looks it was so cruncy it could not be eaten lol I wonder what I did wrong we really need those step by step pictures lol
They are supposed to be flaky.
i followed this recipe and it was so good my children and husband ask for more im also making some tonight for my husbands work friends thnx. i am no good in the kitchen and its a shame as a dominican but you have bailed me out thnx
Glad to hear that.
I made this and didn't like the results, I had to add more water and baking powder.
It's good it mentions adding more water if necessary on step 3.
They know what this is in England….
Dear Aunt Clara,
I would like to sincerely thank you for making all of these wonderful traditional recipes available and for representing our culture(sense of humor & hospitality) so graciously. As a Dominican and a chef, I am grateful. Keep up the great work. It would be my pleasure to meet in person someday over yaniquques and hot chocolate.
Warmly,
A Fan
It depends on the frying pan you use and the temperature of the oil. It is impossible to say exactly how long it needs to be fried in each possible scenario. Just fry until they are golden brown (see pictures).