Thursday, 25 April 2013

ANZAC Biscuits

For anybody who hasn't yet noticed, it's Anzac day today. I'm pretty sure most people know what Anzac day is, but for those who don't, here's a brief summary:

The 25th of April was originally a day of remembrance for the soldiers in the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli and World War I. Today, Anzac Day is a day of remembering and honouring all of our soldiers who have "served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations...and the contribution and suffering of all those who have served."

Anzac biscuits, however, were the biscuits which the wives of the soldiers sent overseas because they kept well and didn't spoil easily when being sent over. I've been researching them, actually, and they're really quite interesting: for instance, did you know that it is illegal to sell them as Anzac "cookies"? Because the term "Anzac" is protected under Australian law, to sell them you have to use the word "biscuit", and use an original recipe. Also, the biscuits don't have any eggs in them - during WWI there was a shortage of eggs because all the poultry farmers left to fight in the war.

So there you go. You learn something new every day! Or, at least, I do...maybe you already knew all this stuff. But I thought I'd give you my recipe for Anzacs, because they're actually one of my favourite cookies biscuits :) And so easy to make, too!

Anzac Biscuits

1 cup of rolled oats
1 cup of plain flour
1 cup of sugar
3/4 cup of desiccated coconut
150g of butter
2 tablespoons of golden syrup
2 tablespoons of boiling water
1 1/2 teaspoons of bicarb soda

  1. Combine the oats, flour, sugar and coconut in a large bowl. Melt the butter and golden syrup together in a small/medium saucepan.
  2. Mix the boiling water and bicarb soda together, and then stir into the butter mixture (this is my favourite part - it goes really bubbly). Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well.
  3. Roll spoonfuls of the mixture into balls and place on greased or papered baking trays. Allow room for spreading!
  4. Bake at 150C for 15-20 minutes, or until golden.

Can we just talk about how cute this Bunnykins mug is, with the billy and campfire? I love it :)

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Lest we forget.

I am so proud to be Australian.