Fried Bakes Or Floats Recipes

TRINIDAD FRIED BAKE RECIPE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, add flour, salt, sugar and baking powder. Rub in butter (if using). Mix well.
• While gradually adding water, knead to make a very soft, smooth dough, about 3 minutes--not too long. Do not fold over and please try to use ALL the water called for in the recipe. It's better to have a sticky dough that you can add a pinch of flour to, rather than a stiff, dry dough.
• Form into a large ball(or two) and cover with a wet paper towel. Let it rest for about 15-30 minutes. You can refrigerate for several hours or overnight. This helps to create a fluffier result.
• Divide dough into small "golf" balls. On a lightly-floured surface flatten (1/4 inch) using hands or rolling pin. If you roll it out too thin, your bakes will be stiff and hard. (See other option below-"How to make triangles").
• Pour oil into a frying pan on medium heat.
• Working in batches, fry the dough disks, turning once, until golden brown and puffed, about 30 seconds per side. Continuously pour oil on bakes to help it to rise. Always flip bakes as soon as it puffs up and has a golden color. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bakes to a paper towel-lined plate. Overcooking will also make the bakes stiff.

FRY BAKES(CARIBBEAN-SAINT LUCIA)

Steps:

• Add all ingredients to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with dough attachment, OR you can do this by hand.
• Mix until a soft dough forms.
• If you can stand to wait thirty minutes to an hour, let the dough rest and rise. If you can't wait, these bake up great even if you cook them right away. But they do become rather lovely little plump pillows once they do puff up.
• Right before cooking, pat them down into relatively thin discs (about 1/4 inch thick).
• Fry in a 1/4 inch of oil on both sides until puffy, browned, and cooked through. Try your heat set to medium and this should be about perfect. You might need to play around with your temperature to get it to cook through on the inside before the outside gets too dark.
• Note:.
• You could eat them straightforward, or with a lot of icing sugar or you can put raisins, dried currants, little pieces of apple, etc. in the dough before frying for a nice variation.

MAMA'S FRY BAKES ( ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES)

Steps:

• If not using yeast, omit step 6. The dough can be rolled out and fried immediately.
• Mix together the flour, salt, baking powder and yeast.
• Rub in the shortening.
• Add sufficient water to the flour mixture to make a smooth dough.
• Knead dough lightly until smooth.
• Cover with a damp cloth and leave dough to relax for ½ hr).
• After dough has rested for ½ hour, divide and shape into 12 balls.
• Roll each ball of dough on a lightly floured surface, to 1/4 " thick and 3 1/2" round.
• Fry in hot oil until brown on both sides.
• Put on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
• These freeze well and can be reheated in the microwave.