22 April 2006

ANZAC Day: 25 April

Next Tuesday is ANZAC Day here in Australia honoring those who served in WWI. ANZAC stands for Australia New Zealand Army Corps. There is an ANZAC memorial at Hyde Park near our home which we visited several months ago, pictured here. The first photo is taken from the
north, looking back over the reflecting pool. The second photo highlights the architecture of the memorial. Each corner houses a large statue representing each of the military branches. Each side has four statues representing various military duty personnel. The memorial contains a small museum that has many Australian artifacts from the wars of the 20th century.
Want to help recognize ANZAC Day this Tuesday? Try this:

ANZAC Biscuits
ANZAC cookies are a favorite treat on this holiday. This recipe is from allhomemadecookies.com

This very old recipe started during ration times in World War II since not many ingredients were easily available for purchase. The word ANZAC is the abbreviation of our brave soldiers "Australian and New Zealand Army Corps" and the biscuits were named in their honour. They are still a family favourite today in many Aussie homes, and at local cake stalls and fairs.

50g (2oz) plain flour
50g (2oz) rolled oats (oatmeal)
50g (2oz) desiccated coconut (flaked, dry coconut)
100g (1/4 lb) castor sugar*
75g (3oz) butter
15ml (1 tablespoon) golden syrup** (or honey)
2.5ml (1/2 teaspoon) bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)

Heat the oven to 150C (300F), gas mark 2. Lightly oil or grease 2 baking (cookie) trays. Sift flour, combine with other ingredients except the bicarbonate of soda and set aside.
Cut the butter into small pieces, place with the syrup in a heavy based saucepan and melt together, stirring. Then remove from heat.
Combine bicarbonate of soda with 15ml [1 tablespoon] of water and blend in with syrup and butter mixture.
Gradually mix in dry ingredients. Drop mixture on to baking trays 1 teaspoon at a time, spacing 3 inches apart.
Bake in the center of the oven for 20 minutes. Cool slightly then transfer to wire cooling rack. Store in an airtight container.
Yields 24

*Castor sugar is the English name for super fine sugar. Super fine sugar dissolves quickly and can be found in the regular grocery store. You can make your own by processing regular sugar in your food processor for a minute. Or you can substitute regular refined sugar for this recipe, if desired.
**Golden syrup is a sweetener used primarily in England and Australia. (In England, it's also known as light treacle). This liquid sweetener has a clear golden color and is the consistency of corn syrup. It's made from evaporated sugar cane juice and has a rich, toasty flavor unmatched by any other sweetener. The most readily available brand is Lyle's, and you can find it in some supermarkets and many gourmet markets. Use golden syrup as a substitute for corn syrup in cooking and baking, and for everything from pancake syrup to ice cream topping. You can also order it at www.kingarthurflour.com/cgibin/start/ahome/main.html.
Recipe submitted by Maureen from Tasmania, Australia.

You can find more information about the ANZACs at anzacsite.gov.au.

"For the Fallen"
They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:

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

2 comments:

Andrew said...

If you haven't seen it already, I highly recommend the film "Gallipoli" starring a very young Mel Gibson.

If the climax doesn't make you want to cry, then you don't have a soul.

Chris said...

Saw it--good movie.