At Last! A photo of an ANZAC tile

Finally I found a photo of an ANZAC TILE looking just as it was described!
I've never actually seen one before.

Extract from ALFRESHCO: foreshore flavours

WORLD WAR 1— Mothers’ love

The ANZAC biscuit epitomises the link between food and WWI in national remembrance, and it is an expression of maternal care, having reportedly been devised to withstand the long journey to the front in ‘comfort packages’. In WWI food was the most potent means for mothers to convey their love to sons at the front.

“When we look at experiences of wartime through the prism of food, we are constantly reminded of its power to divide us, but also to bring people together. So famously a ‘weapon’ of WWI, food can also occupy a central role in the bridging of national, ethnic and religious divides.”
Heather Merle Benbow University of Melbourne

So what did they eat? Bully beef (canned corned beef), rice, jam, cocoa, tea, some bread and above all ‘hardtack’ fed the Australian soldiers at Gallipoli.  Hardtack, also known as ‘ANZAC Wafer’, or ‘ANZAC Tile, has a very long shelf life, and continued to be eaten during the Second World War. 

The original biscuits were made by Arnotts’s, resembling SAOs and the recipe (below) has been provided by them.

HARDTACK RECIPE   Makes six biscuits

Preheat the oven to 180C. Mix 1½ cups self-raising white flour, 3 cups self-raising wholemeal flour, 5 tbsp sugar, 3 tbsp milk powder, pinch salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre and add 1 cup water. Mix together until an even dough is formed. Turn the dough onto a floured board and knead for a few minutes.

Shape the dough into a ball and let rest for half an hour.

Divide the dough into 3 and then roll each ball into thick 1cm sheets. Cut the rolled sheet of dough into 9 cm squares then make a regular pattern of holes in each biscuit, 5 holes across by 5 holes down (25 holes in all). Place on a slightly greased baking tray; bake on the centre shelf for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown. Place on a cooling rack until they harden.

Gallipoli, 1915 ANZACs

"For supper, we had nothing more than those tough, square biscuits given to us as rations - they were so hard, a man could break his teeth on them.  Someone offered me the bottom of a can of tea, which helped to wash those tough biscuits down."  To Hell & Back: The banned Account of Gallipoli, Gunner - Sydney Loch. at last

Extract from ALFRESHCO: foreshore flavours

Fresh salads perfect for eating alfresco

Wherever you were enjoying our glorious Sydney weather this Easter, 
good friends and fresh salads were the order of the day 

with a few delights cooked on the Barbie, of course.

A few recipes from 'ALFRESHCO: foreshore flavour' were included.

Enjoying Alfresco dining at Balmoral

Caprese Skewers 
Page 90 - as a starter. 
Baby bocconcini marinated in a white wine dressing, threaded onto skewers
 then basil and grape tomatoes added.
Seasoned with sea-salt and freshly ground pepper. 

Avocado Dip  Page 85.- the quickest and healthiest of all.Smash 1 large avocado, with a fork, add a good squeeze of lemon juice or vinaigrette dressing and 1/2 cup Danish feta cheese, crumbled,
dried chilli flakes or freshly ground pepper and sprinkle with chopped mint or herbs in season. Serve with crudites or crackers.

Pear, rocket & walnut salad
A version of this simple, elegant salad from
ALFRESHCO: foreshore flavour P 142

Choose firm but ripe pears like Beurre Bosc, Packham or Williams.  Transport rocket and pears to the picnic in separate containers with the pears tossed in a little dressing to prevent oxidisation. At the picnic combine 1 bunch rocket, trimmed; 2 firm pears peeled of unpeeled, quartered, cored then each quarter sliced into 3 or 4;  125g piece Parmesan, shaved.  Toss gently with a little extra dressing and add a handful of toasted walnuts.

Dressing: Combine 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp cider, white wine or balsamic vinegar and season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper.

For an elegant variation - Witlof, pear and hazelnut salad with Roquefort - Add witlof and rocket, seasoned with sea-salt and ground pepper. Finish with the crumbled cheese and a sprinkling of chives.

Colourful tomato & onion salad 
combines a selection of different coloured tomatoes, with thinly sliced Spanish Onion, served on mixed salad leaves with the addition of English Spinach drizzled with an olive oil citrus dressing and tossed with feta cheese.

Preserve the planet with Fancy Work

Mosman Markets

Why making things yourself is joyously cool again:
I love markets!!   Richard Glover does too. His article, 'Preserve the Planet with Fancy Work'  in Spectrum, March 9-10 2019 has inspired this post.

'Joyously cool' - resonates with me.  I'm a serial artisan, beginning on my first day of  Kindergarten when I created the  "Best pig the teacher had ever seen!"  I can still recall the musky aroma of the pink plasticine.   Since then I've dabbled in many crafts; pottery, silkscreening, weaving and now writing, so I'm familiar with the enormous satisfaction of the creative process.  

Richard speaks about: "A small southern Tablelands town of Taralga's, 133rd annual Agricultural Show - where you can enter your jams and preserves, your homebrew, or even your 'Fancy Work', a category that embraces everything from beanie to best cushion.

There's also a poetry competition, a gardening festival, a cooking contest plus the 'Dog Jump'.

Apparently, according to Richard Glover,  "Making your own stuff is suddenly the new thing."  He questions why things have turned around after a few decades of a somewhat throwaway society attitude gradually evolved to the extent where it seemed eccentric to darn our socks or try to fix things.

His idea is that the turning point is a revulsion with the waste of the throw-out world we created.  A new generation sees the art of making, fixing and growing as part of the central project of their lives ie the effort to save the planet.  Observing his son showing interest and competence in growing and fixing etc, Glover expresses cheerful admiration while admitting that 'Being good with your hands' somehow skipped a generation for some.

The Easter Show showcases the amazing handicrafts and produce although this year, apparently the fewer displays demonstrate that the country is in drought.

Mosman Market is a quality art and craft market with approx 140 art and craft stalls, with gourmet food, musical entertainment, and a lively atmosphere, showing that there are still many city folk who "are good with their hands".

The Mosman Market is held on the first Saturday of the month from 8am to 3pm on the Mosman Square ; Village Green at Spit Junction.

There is no January Market. There is an EasterFeast Night Market held in March, a WinterFeast Night Market held in July, an OctoberFeast Night Market held in October and an Evening Christmas Market held in December.

For the love of Pumpkins & Picnics

PUMPKIN DIP WITH CHILLI & GINGER

A lovely Autumn starter for an Easter picnic or BBQ, equally good warm or cold    

Drizzle pumpkin / sweet potato & crushed garlic, with olive oil, season with salt & pepper in a preheated oven (200c) and roast for about 20 minutes, turning once until tender. 
Process with (to taste), chopped ginger, seeded red chilli and juice of lime until just blended. 
Serve with crackers or French baguette that's been sliced and toasted after being drizzled with olive oil and rubbed with garlic.

A word on DIPS
A dip or dipping sauce is specific to being able to be scooped up with a cracker or likewise, so needs to be more substantial and less liquid, but not too chunky. Unlike other sauces, instead of applying the sauce to the food, the food is typically dipped, or added into the dipping sauce. 

"No Woolies DA, yet" Mosman Mayor speaks

Extract from Mosman Daily - 28/3/2019 - Your Say

Military Rd heritage streetscape 

No Woolies DA, yet

I need to inform John Geismar (“Rumours ramp up”, Your Say, MD, March 14) and the Mosman community that from a risk and governance perspective, I need to remain impartial to the possibility of Woolworths developing a supermarket and residential complex on Military Rd because Mosman Council has yet to receive a development application.

Our local environmental plans and the accompanying development controls for our business centres are strong and robust and clearly articulate that Mosman Junction maintains the Military Rd heritage streetscape as one of Australia’s most significant Federation streetscapes. Be 100 percent confident that if a development application by Woolworths is received by council, as your mayor I will do everything within my power to preserve and protect our village amenity.

It is important for the community to know that if this development application does proceed, the determining body is likely to not be your local council, but a five-member Sydney Planning Panel, which has only one councillor and the current chair of the Mosman Local Planning Panel as our local representatives, but three State Government appointed members. If the development is approved by the Sydney Planning Panel, council and residents have no right to a merits based legal appeal of the decision.

Carolyn Corrigan,

Mayor of Mosman

Cost of big business

My sympathy is extended to the residents in Mosman regarding the proposed Woolworths development. As a long-term resident of Kirribilli, I’m sorry to say that we now have a Woolworths Metro in a prime position in Kirribilli village.

This will no doubt impact on the many small businesses that have catered well for the local community and the many visitors to the village. Already we have lost our fruit shop. At last count we have approximately 16 coffee outlets and now we also have a “hole in the wall” selling takeaway coffees at Woolworths.

Who knows how many more local businesses will fail due to this totally inappropriate development.

Geraldine Gibson, Kirribilli

Alfresco - pasta with tuna for these summer evenings

Equally good hot or cold but for picnics, either prepare at home
or add grilled tuna to a prepared penne salad.

TUNA:  Heart Friendly, Lowers Blood Pressure, Improves the Immune System, Helps with Weight Loss, Strengthens Your Bones, Improves Skin Health, etc; is delicious and quick to prepare.

Cook 2 cups penne in a large pan of lightly salted boiling water according to the packet instructions or until al dente. Drain well.

Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Add 500g tuna steak, cook, stirring occasionally, for 2—3 minutes until seared. Remove from the pan, cut into bite-sized pieces and set aside.

Return the pan to high heat and cook  2 garlic cloves, very thinly sliced; 2 long red chillies, seeded and finely chopped and 4 chopped anchovies.  Cook, stirring, for 1 minute.  Add a punnet of grape tomatoes and a handful of black olives and cook, stirring occasionally, for a few minutes, or until the tomatoes are slightly softened.

Add the hot pasta and tuna to the pan and gently toss. Add a handful of basil leaves and season with salt and pepper.

A Perfect Aussie BBQ

BBQ / grill at Hill End Caravan Park NSW

We have a tendency to use the terms ‘barbecue’ and ‘grill’ interchangeably but in the US the BBQ refers to cooking for a long period at a low temperature, where meats, particularly tough cuts, soak up the smoke and marinade flavours to become very tender and moist. We do favour cuts such as Butterflied Lamb which is served pink and therefore is in between the two. However, grilling which is the opposite approach is most commonly used for everyday backyard cookout fare in Australia: ‘the method of cooking food hot and fast on the grill. “We’ve probably been brought up with the burnt sausage and well-done steak cooked on the barbecue,” Australasian Barbecue Alliance Co-Founder, Adam Roberts, said. “Whoever was doing the barbecue probably said, "That’s the way I like them when in reality they’ve just buggered it up.” ...

The Aussie barbecue has evolved; these days tong-wielding enthusiasts are embracing global
influences, turning down the heat, and transforming the humble backyard barbie into another excuse to pit mate against mate in healthy competition. The final touch which remains however, is a
handful of gum leaves in the fire for that dinky di (authenic) outback flavour.
Less heat, more time — it’s part culinary movement, part sport.
Extract - ALFRESHCO: foreshore flavour

On the other hand, Celebrity chef, Matt Moran, said a BBQ was about showcasing the best summer ingredients - a selection of Aussie beef, lamb and sausages, plus seafood.
"I think we're all pretty traditional on Australia Day.  Most Aussies like to keep it simple - I love the snag rolls with caramelised onions on freshly buttered baked bread roll - it's a memory and taste you can't beat.
 Daily Telegraph, Jan 20 - 'Australia Day 2019'

Caramelised onions 

These are wonderful served cold as an accompaniment to cold meats, pates and terrines or hot with grilled meats. They’re very easy to make at home – you simply cook the onions slowly to caramelise their natural sugars while the brown sugar and balsamic help the process along.

Heat 2 tbsp oil on a grill or in a large frypan over low heat. Add 3 large red or brown onions, sliced and a good pinch of salt and cook slowly for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent them from catching. Don’t be tempted to turn the heat up, as you don’t want the onions to burn. When onions are softened and tinged golden, add 2 tbsp brown sugar and 1-2 tbsp balsamic vinegar.
Cook over low heat for a further 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until caramelised.
Recipe P170 - ALFRESHCO

A

'Man your Esky this Christmas!

Man Your  Esky!

What is the BBQ without the Esky?

Many countries have a long history of grilled meats, yet Aussies try to claim the BBQ as our own, where it’s considered traditional, if not sacred. The barbecue and sausage sizzle along with the truly Australian invention of the Esky, have become emblems of Australian hospitality with ‘Firing up the barbie’ practically a way of life... So what's the special role of the Esky?

Esky definition: 1. a brand name for a cool box (a box with a lid,
used for keeping food and drink cool) 

A common factor uniting the barbecuing world, public or private, whether born in Australia or elsewhere, is that it’s the men who do the cooking. And as they do so, they talk.

Richard White, Australian historian and author of ‘Inventing Australia’ says, “Australian men aren’t known for their ease at social chat. Beyond the footy scores and house prices, even a soulless electric grill appears to have the ability to stir genuine yearning and conversation in the way a camp fire might once have done.”

Mark Thompson in ‘Meat, Metal, & Fire: The Legendary Australian Barbecue’ believes Aussie men fulfil their hunting and creative instincts in the ritual. At the end of the day, it’s mateship, the sharing of good food and casual relaxed moments that is an intrinsic part of our lifestyle. 

We can create a gourmet meal with all the trimmings, cooked to perfection, or just have a few chops and snags (sausages) maybe a bit charred; with bread; throw in some beer/wine and enjoy the day.
Extract from ALFRESHCO: foreshore flavour 

Fabulous summer shot of The Pavilion, Balmoral

Yet another fabulous shot of The Bathers  Pavilion- this time captured by Tim James



The Tramp Tramp Tramp of Workless Men
1929-1932

1929: ‘The Great Depression’ seized the world.
An economic ‘ogre’ crippled industry,
threw workers to the streets –
and having vent its worst fury,
lingered in the shadows until WWII.

Hardship endured; depression employment
yielded the Sydney Harbour Bridge,
Balmoral beautification scheme;
Rotunda, Bathers Pavilion, Promenade.
“Concrete mad!”, they all said.

As part of Depression employment projects, Mosman Council embarked on the Balmoral Beautification Scheme. The Bathers Pavilion came first (1929), then the Promenade (1930), along with a bridge to the Island, followed by the Rotunda (1930). The latter two were funded by the State Government as Depression employment projects.

The bathing pavilion was commissioned by the council as their response to the growing demand to cater for the enormous increase in picnickers and bathers that resulted from the opening of the tram line extension to Balmoral.

Designed by Alfred H Hale, in a classical Mediterranean style, it was opened in 1929, its purpose being to ‘decriminalise’ the activity of mixed-sex bathing. It had 1506 clothing lockers and 239 cubicles where bathers could disrobe in privacy. The upper floor was used for drying bathing suits (woollen) that were for hire. It remained essentially as a large changing shed until 1967 when it was established as Mishka’s Restaurant where brunch became an institution. Now re-renamed ‘The Bather’s Pavilion’, it’s a stylish venue for casual and formal dining, following extensive legal challenge and public debate.
Extract - THROUGH THE HEADS To Balmoral, Sydney

Today Serge Dansereau is the owner and Head Chef at the Bathers' Pavilion restaurant, cafe and Kiosk on Balmoral Beach in Sydney.

Serge with Claire at the launch of ALFRESHCO : foreshore flavour when he spoke about his book 'For the Love of Good Food' which describes how his passion for fresh regional produce has encouraged the development of specialist food throughout Australia

Salads to enjoy for ALFRESHCO foreshore dining

Pomegranates - Stephen Trebilcock

The pomegranate is one of the main fruits in Armenian culture (alongside apricots and grapes). Its juice is used with Armenian food, heritage, or wine. The pomegranate is a symbol in Armenia, representing fertility, abundance, and marriage. 
It is also a semi-religious icon.

Pomegranate  herb & walnut salad

A simple, elegant salad perfect for picnics on Australia Day.  Add the dressing, pomegranate seeds and walnuts at the site.

Combine in a large bowl,  2 Lebanese cucumbers, diced small; 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced; 1/3 cup mint leaves, roughly chopped; 2 handfuls of spinach or rocket leaves. 

Use pomegranate dressing (see below)  or a red wine vinegar dressing, sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and a large handful of roasted walnuts

Pomegranate Dressing

Prepare 1 pomegranate by cutting it in half - juice one half to yield 1 tbsp juice after removing some of the seeds to retain with seeds from the other half.  Combine 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil with 2 tsp pomegranate molasses, 1 tbsp pomegranate juice, a squeeze of lemon juice and season with salt and cracked pepper.

A substitute for pomegranate molasses which can be purchased from good supermarkets, 

Pomegranate molasses is traditionally used in Middle Eastern cuisine and has a distinct sweet and sour taste. It is also referred to as pomegranate syrup or pomegranate paste. Pomegranate molasses has gained popularity worldwide and is being used to give a new flavour to non-traditional dishes and drinks.

Top Substitutes

You can use various foods in place of pomegranate molasses. The top substitutes are cranberry concentrate;  balsamic vinegar with sugar; sweetened pomegranate juice syrup.  Add sugar to your taste.

Recipe - ALFRESHCO: foreshore flavour

A joyful moment on a Sydney Ferry

Catch a ferry, following in the wake of mid-century visitors to the 'Pleasure Grounds', mostly around Mosman - at Cremorne Point, Athol, Clifton Gardens, Balmoral, Rosherville and Pearl Bay when excursionists were conveyed in their hundreds by chartered ferries from the city.

Hundreds of holiday makers indulged in amusements which included foot racing, dancing, swimming, Punch and Judy Show or just the indulgence of drinking beer.
Extract from Mosman Meanders & foreshore flavours

A friend was saying recently that she was being mindful of the joyful moments in each day. Yesterday, was such a moment for many of my fellow passengers on the ferry bound for Circular Quay. A group of Irish musicians was belting it out Irish folksongs in an upstairs corner of the ferry - simple pleasure and a joyful moment experienced with their enjoyment showing clearly on the faces of those who joined in.

What a great idea for the upcoming Australia Day.

ALFRESHCO A History with Recipes released for outdoor fun

'ALFRESHCO foreshore flavour' follows and expands on previous books; 'THROUGH THE HEADS to Balmoral, Sydney' and MOSMAN MEANDERS & foreshore flavours'.

Outdoor eating, whether a backyard BBQ, an elegant alfresco supper or a picnic at the beach, is about the pleasure of sharing food with friends.

I explore the process of adapting and developing through our First Fleet legacy of portable industrialised food, the early influences on food and tastes, the introduction and inspiration of world cuisines and the birth of the modern food industry.

WITHOUT GREAT PRODUCE THERE CAN'T BE GREAT FOOD. 

Caprese Skewers P 90

Simple finger food ideal for alfresco / picnics, this salad includes traditional ingredients ie 180g baby bocconcini, 8 cherry or grape tomatoes and 1 cup fresh basil. 
Simply toss in a dressing of 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar, 1 tsp sugar or honey, and 2-3 tbsp olive oil, seasalt and freshly ground pepper then thread on skewers.

Enjoy - Claire

Aussie cockies keep us supplied with fabulous produce

Our land of extremes

As Dorothea Mackellar expressed so well in her poem "My Country",
Australia historically is a land of extremes, as the farmers well know;
devastatingly depressing, as they struggle with stress and anxiety,
loss of hope and collectively the loss of millions of dollars in income.

My Country 

by Dorothea Mackellar (1885 - 1968)

The love of field and coppice,

Of green and shaded lanes.

Of ordered woods and gardens

Is running in your veins,

Strong love of grey-blue distance

Brown streams and soft dim skies

I know but cannot share it,

My love is otherwise.

I love a sunburnt country,

A land of sweeping plains,

Of ragged mountain ranges,

Of droughts and flooding rains.

I love her far horizons,

I love her jewel-sea,

Her beauty and her terror -

The wide brown land for me!

A stark white ring-barked forest

All tragic to the moon,

The sapphire-misted mountains,

The hot gold hush of noon.

Green tangle of the brushes,

Where lithe lianas coil,

And orchids deck the tree-tops

And ferns the warm dark soil.

Mackellar was an Australian poet and fiction writer.  My Country, was written at age 19 in 1904, while homesick in England. 

From - The Australian Jan 11   2011 - Floods in Queensland.

Mental health organisation, Lifeline, is preparing for a surge in rural depression as, after years of drought, farmers watch their bumper harvests being washed away by floods.'

New standards are obviously needed to prevent urban development in flood prone areas. The environmental and social consequences are often overridden with the primary interest being the economic value of the land. Farmers today understand their forefathers didn't farm appropriately for Australian conditions but today's farmer has a different appreciation.

Hopefully, the following years with full dams and replenished underground water storage, will be more positive for the Aussie cockies who keep us supplied with fabulous produce and by the way, they are not subsidised. Flood can follow drought but even if there is little rain in the period to follow, good harvest will normally occur due to the underground storage and moist soils.

"We need the Rains"

Clara waxes lyrical - "We need the Rains"

 360 degrees horizon 

Following a visit to catch up with G's family in Dooen - Wimmera - Victoria
Dooen Pub is alive and well today and still fulfills a vital purpose as a meeting place for farmers, residents and travellers to tell their tales, share time with others to renew their faith that the arid earth will be quenched in time. Clara

Wheat silos near Dooen


 

Dooen Hotel opened in 1876
 (Photographed 2004)

 

 



"We need the Rains"
Clara -  Easter 2001  - for G

Dooen Pub

What'chya been doin' all this time

Since they built you in 1876?

On a vast dry plain beside this endless road
Only silos to interrupt the wide horizon.
"We need the rains," you must have said,
and still do now.


You've quenched the thirsts, heard the tales
Of those brave folk who toiled and sweated
Endured the drought yet kept their faith 
That the parched earth would yield its golden bounty.
"We need the rains," they must have said,
and still do now.


Horse and cart; semi-trailers, cars 
Bring a thirsty crowd to drink, to tell their tales 
Share time with others to renew their faith
That this arid earth will be quenched in time
"We need the rains," they must have said,
and still do now.

'Drought, flood & bushfire' - biblical constants

Drought dried waterhole became a bog

Sheila in the Bog (Sheila - Australian slang for 'woman')

A glimpse of bovine terror -
Rolled back eyes and flared nostrils
Showed your intense and overpowering fear
Of sinking further into the mud


Drought dried waterhole
Circled by frantic calf, desperate to connect
Sensed disaster removing prime security
Yet respected danger there


It’s hungry demands had led you to
Seek scant remaining water
Violent efforts to reach familiar foothold
Immersed you even deeper


At your peak of terror when it seemed
your struggle for survival had been lost
Help arrived in human form
Backed up with red tractor


“Hook the noose around the horns
Hold the horns - keep the head steady.
Don’t want to break her neck!
Come on Girl - you can make it!”

“Well done Men, - I knew

We’d get the sheila out of the bog”

Mates back in the army on duty again!

They got her out - she didn't last the night. We feel for the livestock and native animals trapped in the floods. 


Clara - Stanthorpe Queensland -
October 2002





Aftermath - following September 11, Bali bombings Undermined human security

Terror

Bovine terror in your eyes -
Your familiar foothold
No longer there.
Structure of security changed
Threatening the fibre
Of your survival.
Drought is your terrorist--