Good Ol Aussie Damper Food

GOOD OL' AUSSIE DAMPER BREAD

Steps:

• Sift the flour and salt into a bowl and mix in the sugar.
• Rub in the butter with your (clean) hands until a fine breadcrumb texture is achieved.
• Form a well in the top of the flour, pour in the milk and water and mix well with a knife until the dough comes clean from the sides of the bowl.
• Turn out onto a floured board and knead until smooth and silky, like a baby's bottom!
• Shape into a moulded loaf, (some people cut a deep cross in the top) and bake in a preheated oven, 200C/400F for 25 minutes. Then lower the temperature to 180C/375F and cook a further 10-15 minutes until done. The loaf should be a light golden brown colour and sound hollow when tapped.

DAMPER

Steps:

• Add the flour and baking powder in a bowl.
• Start mixing with a spoon and slowly add in the water (or milk).
• Add the salt and mix with the hands until all the flour is well moistened and it begins to form a ball. If necessary, add water (or milk) or flour to adjust the texture.
• Remove the dough from the bowl and place it on a lightly floured surface, fold it, turn it over and knead it briefly until it is smooth. However, do not knead the dough too much as this will make the damper heavy.
• Preheat the oven to 410°F / 200°C.
• Heat a cast iron pot or Dutch oven in the oven for 5 minutes. Dust the pot with flour and add the dough in it. Flatten the ball of dough to the edges.
• Bake the damper for about 45 minutes or until the top is lightly browned.
• The bread will swell during baking.
• Shake the pot from time to time during baking to ensure even browning.
• The bread is baked when a knife inserted in the center of it comes out clean. The bread should offer a hollow sound when tapped in the center.
• Let the damper sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

GOOD OL' AUSSIE DAMPER

Steps:

• Sift flour and salt into a bowl and add enough milk to make a doughy consistency.
• Place mix into a log tin.
• Bake in a 375°F oven for 10-20 minutes.
• It may still be a little doughy inside, so just cook it for a little longer.

AUSSIE DAMPER - SWEET OR SAVOURY- YOU DECIDE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180-190°F.
• Using a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour and the salt.
• Add the butter and rub it in with your fingertips.
• Add the milk and stir it in with a rounded blad knife/butterknife. The dough should be fairly soft, but not too sticky.
• Tourn out onto a lightly floured board and shape into a soft smooth ball.
• Place the damper ball onto a baking sheet and flatten gently. Cut a cross into the top of the damper and brush with a little milk.
• Bake for 30 minutes or until golden.
• Variations- for the cheese damper add 100 grams of cheese before adding the milk. Add any extra herbs of choice. Sprinkle with a little extra cheese before baking.
• For the sweet damper- add the sweet ingredients with the milk.

AUSTRALIAN DAMPER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) Grease a baking sheet.
• In a large bowl, stir together the flour and the salt. With pastry blender or your hands, cut in butter. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the milk and water. Stir until the dough comes together. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and form into a round loaf 8 inches across. Place the loaf onto the prepared pan and using a sharp knife, cut a cross in the top.
• Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, then lower the temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and continue to bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. The loaf should be golden brown and the bottom should sound hollow when tapped.