Aussie Bloggers

When you think about traditional Australian food the damper must be right up there. It also happens to be really easy to make and pretty cheap to make. I don’t know about the nutritional value, to be fair it probably isn’t that good for you, but in saying that I can’t see how bad it would be at the same time.

Now if you’ve ever checked out any of my recipes before you’ll know that I’m not big on rules and measurements. When I go into the kitchen I’m not interested in measuring every little thing out so you may have to experiment.

So what do you need?

• 2 to 3 cups of self raising flour
• about a third of a cup or milk
• pinch of salt
• 3 table spoons of butter
• golden syrup
• some more butter

Mix the salt and flour together in a bowl, mix the butter into the flour until it forms a fine crumb mixture (look, if you want more butter, I’m not going to complain). Mix in the water or if you’re feeling posh, milk until it forms a dough. There are some who add a couple of teaspoons of sugar to the mix too, I can go either way on that.

Pop the dough on a tray and put in the pre-warmed oven, what temperature? Ummm like I’m currently using a really old gas oven so I have no idea, um 300? Take a guess and keep an eye on it.

As soon as it has risen and browned on the top take it out, cut it up (or rip it up), spread butter and golden syrup and Robert’s a guy that your aunt married.

I was thinking about Australian food, and writing about it, when I saw this list of great moments in takeaway food, Aussie style. Here we go, see whether you agree with the list.

#1) The Chiko Roll

Believe it or not, I used to actually like these. God knows why, now.

#2) Hamburger with beetroot

Errr, no thanks. Preferably no tomato either. Just bacon, egg, cheese, onion, lettuce please.

#3) Pizza with pineapple

Again, no thanks. Pineapple does not belong on a pizza.

#4) Hot chips

Yep, and apparently we prefer fat ones to the skinny french fries type. I can’t argue with that.

#5) Pad Thai

Mmm, nice enough but I’d hardly put it in the top 10 takeaways. The author of the list claims it is close to replacing spaghetti bolognaise as the national noodle. I doubt it myself, how can you beat spag bol?

#6) Gosleme

Yeah right! Again, I like it, but I hardly think its up there with the Aussie-est of takeaway cuisine. I reckon the guy who wrote the list needs to get out of Sydney’s inner suburbs.

#7) Potato scallops

Depending where you’re from, aka potato cakes. Mmmm, yum! Although I must say that the Greasy Joe’s near my work must have the greasiest scallops in the known universe. No matter how hungry you are, and no matter how tempting they may look, you always regret it when you bite into one.

#8) The Neenish tart

Nice enough, but I don’t think they are up there with lamingtons, vanilla slices etc. And what about cream buns, custard tarts, and my personal favourite, matchsticks (speaking of which, anyone know where you can get these anymore, I’ve not been able to track them down anywhere near home?)

Some other things suggested as iconic Aussie takeaways.

Whenever I see one of these, I wonder who the hell ever thought it would be a good idea to stick a frankfurt or sausage on a stick, dip it in batter then deep fry it?

The pie floater. This is a South Australian specialty, a pie in a sea of pea soup. Sounds lovely (not?). I’ll defer to our SA colleagues to convince readers of the delights of one of these.

The sausage sandwich (this is an elaborate one with not only onion but bacon too). Where would school fetes, sporting teams and just about everything else be without the funds raised by selling sausages wrapped in bread?

Honourable mention also goes to the baked bean jaffle, the meat pie and sauce and fried dim sims.

But here’s my favourite mention in the list – not because I particularly like them, just the name (which I must admit to never having heard until now). Readers, I present to you, …….

The Snot Block.

(also known in more civilised circles as the vanilla slice).

Over to you readers now …. got any delicacies of fast food greatness that you think are Australian icons?