Australia: Recipes and Cuisine
In the past, Australia's cuisine largely imitated that of the imperial homeland, Britain. In recent decades, however, Aussies have increasingly opened their eyes and mouths to the gastronomic wealth of recent immigrants and that of their Asian neighbors.
Traditional Australian foods like grilled lamb, meat pies, damper bread, ANZAC biscuits and pavlova are joined by dishes that show Greek, Middle Eastern, East Asian and aboriginal influence. In addition to a flowering in the kitchen Down Under, Australian wines are a bonanza for the oenophile.
Australian Recipes
ANZAC Biscuits
(Australian, New Zealand oatmeal and coconut cookies)
These tasty biscuits (called "cookies" in the U.S.) got their beginning during World War I. Mothers and wives with boys in the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) worried they weren't eating well. So they devised a sweet treat in a time of rationing that would travel well in care packages sent a world away. These days ANZAC biscuits are enjoyed on ANZAC Day (April 25) to remember the sacrifices of the men in WWI. They also make a great food for hikers and campers. Read more »
Chocolate Crackles
(Australian chocolate rice crispy treats)
Chocolate crackles are a favorite of Australian children and are often served at children's parties, especially birthdays. Because they are so easy to make, chocolate crackles are a great way to get your kids involved in cooking. Let them lend a hand! Read more »
Damper
(Australian soda-leavened bread; see Irish Soda Bread variations)
Pavlova
(Australian meringue with whipped cream and fruit)
Both Australia and New Zealand lay claim to the birthplace of this heavenly dessert, created to honor the great Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova during her visit in the 1920s. Often called "pav" for short, it is a baked meringue, crispy on the outside and marshmallowy on the inside, that is spread with whipped cream and topped with fresh fruit. Pavlova is a favorite for Aussie Christmases, and in New Zealand, it is often a stand-in for birthday cake. Read more »
Sausage Rolls
(Australian, New Zealand sausage-stuffed puff pastry)
Popular in New Zealand and Australia, sausage rolls are eaten for breakfast, lunch or as appetizers at parties and get-togethers. Served hot or cold, they are often sold at small food stores called "tuck shops" as a quick meal. Read more »
Scalloped Potatoes
(American, Australian potatoes baked with cream; see Gratin Dauphinois recipe))
Scotch Eggs
(Scottish hard-boiled eggs wrapped in sausage)
Scotch eggs are a popular snack and picnic food in Scotland and throughout the U.K. Hard-boiled eggs are wrapped in sausage, breaded and fried. Definitely not diet food, but oh so satisfying! Read more »
