AUSTRALIA DAY Jan 26, 2016

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!

                                                          

* PLAIN DAMPER

2 cups self raising flour,

1/2tsp salt,

1 1/2 cups milk,

1tsp sugar,

1tsp butter.

Method:

Sift the flour, sugar and salt into a bowl and then add the butter, add enough milk to make a manageable dough. Shape into a flat ball and place on a greased and floured oven tray, bake at 220c(400f) for 25-30 mins, baste with milk during cooking.

Serve hot...with lashings of butter (golden syrup and/or jam, go very well with this bread)

* CHEESE AND SAGE DAMPER

Ingredients:

2 cups wholemeal (self raising)flour,

3/4 cup grated cheese,

1/2tsp paprika,

1/2tsp black pepper,

1tsp dried sage leaves,

40g butter or margarine,

1 cup milk(evaporated),

3tsp milk,

2tsp parmesan cheese(grated),

2tsp poppy seeds.

Method:

In a food processor, add the flour, paprika, pepper, sage, add the butter and process, till crumbly.

Add the evaporated milk and milk, grated cheese and mix to a soft dough, on a lightly floured surface, knead the dough and shape into a flat ball (20cm)(8")

Using a sharp knife, cut almost through the dough (making 8 wedges), brush the top with milk and sprinkle with parmesan cheese and poppy seeds.

Bake at 180c(350f) for 25-30 mins, serve warm with lashings of butter.

N.B. If you don't like sage, try chives, or spring onions or parsley, whatever you wish...

* CHRIS'S PAVLOVA

6 egg whites

2 cups castor sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons white vinegar

1 1/2 reaspoons vanilla essence

  

1 punnet strawberries 

icing sugar to dust

pulp of two passionfruit... optional

600ml whipped cream

Set electric oven to 150C... pavlova needs to be cooked in the coolest part of the oven for 45-60 minutes, then turn off heat and leave in oven till oven is completely cold.

                                                               

Beat egg whites at highest speed until they stand in peaks. Sift castor sugar and very gradually sprinkle in sugar, about 1 tablespoon at a time...beat only till all sugar has been added.  Lastly fold in vinegar and vanilla essence.

Mark out about a 15 cm circle on greased baking paper or aluminium foil. Heap mixture on the circle on the paper/foil. Mould up the sides with a spatula, don't bother to smooth it out, but do make a slight depression in the centre.

When completely cool, heap whipped cream in the centre, then add strawberries, sliced mainly some whole, then passionfruit if using them.  Dust lightly with icing sugar... enjoy.

I prefer pavlova the next day, but don't mind it any way. The fruit filling can be varied according to taste. I also like kiwi fruit  and /or berries. The vinegar gives the marshmallow like centre and a crisp outside, much nicer than commercial pavs which are all marshmallow or all crisp.

* AUNT MARY WALSH’S SPICE CAKE

1/2 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups Self Raising flour

1/2 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon mixed spice

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Cream butter and sugar, add unbeaten eggs, one at a time. Mix well.  Add sifted dry ingredients, alternately with milk.

Bake at 180’C or 375’F for 40 minutes.

* EASY LEMON TART - QUICK DESSERT

Serves: Six 

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet shortcrust pastry
• 1/2 cup of castor sugar
• 1/2 cup of lemon juice
• 1/2 cup of cream
• 4 eggs
• Lemon rind finely grated
• Icing sugar for dusting
• Thick cream to serve

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180C or 160C for a fan oven.
2. Grease a 22cm pie dish.
3. Line prepared dish with pastry. Trim edges. Chill for 15mins.
4. Line pastry dish with baking paper fill with rice and bake for 15mins. Remove rice and bake further 5mins.
5. Mix together eggs, sugar, juice, rind and cream. Pour into prepared tart shell.
6. Bake 30 to 35mins until set. Cool in pan.
7. Dust tart with icing sugar. Serve in wedges topped with thick cream.

Just a few easy ideas... feel free to add yours below in comments...

 Of course, I haven't listed what we are really likely to have... fresh salads, juicy prawns, bbq sausages, bbq steak, ok... and lamb... if you can get it off lay-by in time...and lots of fresh fruit...

 However you spend Australia Day, spare a moment for those who made this great country what it is today and dwell on the positive, as we work together to keep it that way.

* You can find previous Australia Day postings by looking through the column on the left hand side.