Sweet Damper With Dried Fruit Food

DAMPER RECIPE (AUSTRALIAN 3 INGREDIENT BREAD)

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, add flour and plant based butter, massage with your fingers until it resembles a sandy mixture.
• Create a well and add milk, use a fork to mix together until you need to use your hands to knead the dough. Dust your hands with flour and knead for 1 minute. Create a disk with the dough.
• Grease cast iron dutch oven and place dough into the cast iron dutch oven, score dough into 8 pieces, cover with lid and bake in a preheated oven of 200C (392F) for 35-40 minutes.
• Once golden brown and hollow, allow 5 minutes resting before cutting up and serving.

5 INGREDIENT AUSTRALIAN DAMPER RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 180˚C (360˚F), and line a tray with baking paper.
• Next, place the self-raising flour, salt in a large mixing bowl (along with half the rosemary if using). Chop the butter into small cubes, pop it to the flour mix and rub it into the flour with your hands to combine.
• Form a well in the centre, then pour in the milk and water. Give everything a really good stir until it forms a nice dough.
• Divide the dough into four portions for tasty mini dampers, or make one large damper.
• Now pop your dough onto the lined tray and slice a cross into the top using a sharp knife.
• Optional: Garnish with remaining rosemary.
• Bake for around 25 mins at 180˚C (360˚F) until your gorgeous damper is golden brown and delicious. Tap the bottom and your damper should sound hollow - that's when you know you're done!

DRIED FRUIT

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the lemon juice and water. Set aside until ready to use.
• Peel, core and dice the fruit into 1/2-inch cubes, with the exception of the strawberries. Slice the strawberries 1/8 of an inch thick. Place the fruit into the lemon water and allow to soak for up to 2 minutes. Remove and drain thoroughly.
• Lay 1 (14 by 14-inch) plastic dehydrator sheet on 1 of the air-conditioning filters. Place the fruit on the plastic dehydrator sheet and cover with another plastic sheet. Repeat this process with remaining plastic sheets and two more filters, stacking on top of the first one. Top these with the remaining empty filter. Next, lay the box fan on its side and lay the filters on top of it. Strap the filters to the fan with two bungee cords. Stand the fan upright, plug in and set to high. Dry for 42 to 48 hours. When dry, the fruit should be pliable but not sticky. You should not be able to squeeze moisture from the fruit. If using a commercial dehydrator, follow the manufacturer's directions.
• Remove the fruit from filters and store in an airtight container in a cool dry place.

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.

DAMPER (AUSSIE CAMPFIRE BREAD)

Steps:

• Set oven to hot 200C (400F).
• Grease an 18cm (7 inch) sandwich cake tin or four single serve ramekin dishes.
• Sift flour and salt into a mixing bowl.
• Add any other optional ingredients (see below).
• Make a well in the centre of the flour and add most, but not all of the milk.
• Mix with a knife, adding more milk if necessary, until you have formed a fairly moist, but not sloppy, dough.
• Turn dough into a cake tin or spoon into ramekins.
• Smooth the top with the back of a spoon.
• If making a savoury damper, sprinkle the top with cheese and/or add a thin slice or slices of tomato.
• Bake for 20-30 minutes until golden brown on top and a skewer, inserted in the centre, comes out clean.
• Turn out and cool slightly on a wire rack before serving.
• Serve warm with butter.
• Some Variations: Cheese Damper- add 1/2 cup grated cheese and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Cheese and Bacon Damper- add 1/2 cup grated cheese and 2-3 rashers of cooked, chopped bacon.
• Cheese and Herb Damper- add 1/2 cup grated cheese and 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil OR 1 teaspoon of dried herbs.
• Fruit Damper- add 1/2 cup mixed dried fruit and 1 tablespoon sugar.
• Orange Damper- add the finely grated rind of an orange and 1 tablespoon sugar.

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.

SWEET DRIED FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Combine 2 cups of the water with the dried fruit in a large bowl. Let soak for 1 hour.
• In a small saucepan, combine the remaining 2 cups of water, orange juice, sugar, and lemon zest over medium-high heat. Add the fruit and the soaking liquid to the pan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the cinnamon and clove. Simmer 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the fruit has softened and the mixture has thickened. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. Serve warm or cold.
• Cook's Note: If using store bought dried fruit, chop the pieces into 1/2-inch chunks and simmer the mixture an additional 15 to 20 minutes.