A damper is a traditional Australian bread prepared by swagmen, drovers, stockmen, and other travellers. It’s usually baked in the coals of a campfire and is an excellent food to cook when camping. Here are some recipes for both sweet and savoury versions:
- Traditional Damper:
- Ingredients: 4 cups self-raising flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 1/2 cups water (approximately)
- Directions: Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl, gradually add water and mix to form a soft dough. Knead lightly on a floured surface until smooth. Shape into a round loaf, place on a greased baking sheet, and cut a cross on the top. Bake in the hot coals of your campfire for about 30-40 minutes, or until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cheese and Chive Damper:
- Ingredients: Traditional damper ingredients, 1 cup grated cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives.
- Directions: Follow the traditional damper recipe, but before adding the water, stir in the cheese and chives. Continue as per the traditional recipe.
- Olive and Sundried Tomato Damper:
- Ingredients: Traditional damper ingredients, 1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives, 1/2 cup chopped sundried tomatoes.
- Directions: Follow the traditional damper recipe, but before adding the water, stir in the olives and sundried tomatoes. Continue as per the traditional recipe.
- Cinnamon and Raisin Damper:
- Ingredients: Traditional damper ingredients, 1/2 cup raisins, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
- Directions: Follow the traditional damper recipe, but before adding the water, stir in the raisins, sugar, and cinnamon. Continue as per the traditional recipe.
- Chocolate and Coconut Damper:
- Ingredients: Traditional damper ingredients, 1/2 cup shredded coconut, 1/2 cup chocolate chips.
- Directions: Follow the traditional damper recipe, but before adding the water, stir in the shredded coconut and chocolate chips. Continue as per the traditional recipe.
Remember to adjust the amount of water as necessary for the added ingredients. Happy cooking!