An Anzac Tribute

Anzac Day has a strong meaning for my family and me.

We have attended many dawn services over the years. For us, these occasions honour the brave men and women who served our country and it is a special time of reflection for many Australians.

So, this ANZAC Day we would like to extend our thoughts to all Australians, especially those who served our country to enable the freedom we enjoy today and to say that despite the current COVID 19 pandemic, we will emerge stronger than ever as we always have.

For those who aren’t aware of what ANZAC Day means, here is our quick reminder, plus a delicious recipe for Denise’s ANZAC biscuits and an exciting announcement about one of Australia’s most loved sons.

Lest we forget

From the Slappa’s Thongs family.

When is Anzac Day? 
Anzac Day, 25 April, is one of Australia’s most important national occasions. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. The 25th of April was officially named Anzac Day in 1916.

What does ‘ANZAC’ stand for? 
‘ANZAC’ stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. 

On the 25th of April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula. These became known as Anzacs and the pride they took in that name continues to this day. 

Why is this day special to Australians? 
On the morning of 25 April 1915, the Anzacs set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in order to open the Dardanelles to the allied navies. The objective was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul in Turkey), the capital of the Ottoman Empire, and an ally of Germany. 

The Anzacs landed on Gallipoli and met fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. Their plan to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. 

The Anzacs were courageous and although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the Australian and New Zealand actions during the campaign left us all a powerful legacy. 

What does Anzac Day mean today? 
With the coming of the Second World War, Anzac Day also served to commemorate the lives of Australians who died in that war. The meaning of Anzac Day today includes the remembrance of all Australians killed in military operations.

What happens on ANZAC Day? 
Anzac Day remembrance takes two forms. Commemorative services are held at dawn – the time of the original landing in Gallipoli – across the nation. Later in the day, ex-servicemen and women meet to take part in marches through the major cities and in many smaller centres. Commemorative ceremonies are more formal and are held at war memorials around the country. 

Why are poppies associated with Anzac Day?
The red poppy, pinned to the breast of Aussies on Anzac Day, is a symbol of war remembrance and of Armistice on November 11, 1918. According to the Australian War Memorial, the red poppy or Flanders poppy, was among the first plants to spring up in the battlefields of northern France and Belgium after the war

The Anzac Biscuit 
During World War One, the friends and families of soldiers and community groups sent food to the fighting men. Due to the time delays in getting food items to the front lines, they had to send food that would remain edible, without refrigeration, for long periods of time that retained high nutritional value; the Anzac biscuit met this need. 

Although there are variations, the basic ingredients are: rolled oats, sugar, plain flour, coconut, butter, golden syrup or treacle, bi carbonate of soda, and boiling water. 

The biscuit was first known as the Soldiers’ Biscuit. The current name, Anzac Biscuit, has as much to do with Australia’s desire to recognise the Anzac tradition and the Anzac biscuit as part of the staple diet at Gallipoli. 

The Anzac biscuit is one of the few commodities that are able to be legally marketed in Australia using the word ‘Anzac’, which is protected by Federal Legislation. 

See Denise’s version of the Anzac Biscuit, recipe below.

Denise’s ANZAC Biscuits (Inspired by Australian Cricketer Matthew Hayden’s recipe). 

A friend gave me Matthew Hayden’s recipe book years as one of my favourite things were Cricket and Cooking.

So here it is:

1 cup rolled oats
1 cup plain flour
1/2 -3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup desiccated or shredded coconut
125g butter
2-3 generous tablespoons golden syrup (you can use honey or a mixture of both)
1 1/2 teaspoons bicarb soda
2 tablespoons boiling water 
200g dark or milk choc chips

I double the mixture for a bigger batch – as one batch is not enough 😀

Preheat oven to 140 degree Celsius 
Line baking trays with non-stick baking paper.
Place oats, flour, sugar and coconut into a large bowl, stir and combine.
Melt butter and golden syrup in a medium saucepan.
Put bicarb into a cup, add the boiling water, stir to dissolve.
Take the butter & golden syrup mixture of the heat or turn down, stir in until frothy (the reason for taking off the heat or turning down is so the mixture doesn’t boil over as once you add the hot bicarb the causes the mixture to rise)
Add the butter/golden syrup mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well until evenly combined.
Let mixture cool for 5-10 minutes then mix in choc chips. (Choc chips are optional you can also use sultanas or not put in at all)

Roll level tablespoons of mixture into balls, flatten out slightly with fingertips and make sure you leave room for spreading.
You may need tow trays.
Cook for 16 minutes until golden brown
Leave on trays until firm around 5-10mins, then transfer onto a wire rack to cool completely. Hopefully not too many disappear before storing in an airtight container.
They can be put in the freezer, but you must put baking paper between the layers, so they don’t stick together.

Makes between 28-36 biscuits depending on how big you roll them.

I add the choc chips to my Anzac biscuits as these make great energy snacks for when cycling. Put a couple in a snap lock bag to take on your ride.

Great for Kids school lunches and delicious with a cup of coffee or tea. 

These biscuits do travel! I have also been known to send to friends’ interstate who loved them.

A Tribute in Song – Shannon Noll

Multi-award-winning Australian artist Shannon Noll together with his brothers (The Noll Brothers) are releasing their version of the stirring and emotive Redgum hit “Only 19”.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, the old saying goes, and as we all know there’s nothing about Shannon Noll’s gutsy voice that warrants first aid. Just give him a song to sing and he will take it to where only he can.

The release of this new version of “Only 19” is on the 24th of April in conjunction with @soldieronaust to bring some awareness to the struggle so many returned service men and women face after returning home.

We had a listen through a recent Facebook Live performance and absolutely love this version, we’re sure you guys will as well!

So, make sure you grab a copy on the 24th of April!

The single will be available on iTunes, Spotify and other music platforms.

Sources:

https://www.army.gov.au/our-history/traditions/anzac-day

https://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac-day/traditions

Wikipedia

Denise Dunn’s Recipe drawer