Breads

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Damper( Australian Bush Bread) & others

Damper is a traditional Australian bread prepared by Swagmen & Drovers in the Australian Bush.Traditionally baked in the coals of a campfire.Originally made with flour and water. Damper is an iconic Australian dish. It can also be made while camping and at home in your oven. I was given the opportunity to bake Damper in coals while cooking on a Station for the Stockmen and at that time cooked my first stew in a camp oven under beautiful bright stars on a clear dark Australian night.

BUSH DAMPER

3 cups of self-raising flour
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water

Sift flour and salt into a bowl, rub in butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs.
Make a well in the centre, add the combined milk and water, mix lightly with a knife until dough leaves sides of bowl.
Gently knead on a lightly floured surface and then shape into a round, put on a greased oven tray. Pat into a round 15-16 cm (6-6 1/2 inch) diameter.
With sharp knife, cut two slits across dough like a cross, approximately 1cm (1/2in) deep.
Brush top of dough with milk.
Sift a little extra flour over dough.
Bake in a hot oven for 10 minutes, or until golden brown.200c/ 400f
Reduce heat to moderate and bake another 20 minutes.
Serve slathered in butter, on its own or with cheese,jam,peanut butter or of course that other Australian icon Vegemite