Anzac spirit, unity and biscuits
Australia and New Zealand often tend to be lumped together in the upper hemisphere’s mind: those two beautiful countries down under that rarely make the world news. They don’t start wars, they don’t have massive protests or reforms; basically, they don’t get into trouble.
I woke up bright and early on Anzac Day to attend a dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance. Dawn services began spontaneously in the 1920s, with soldiers and loved ones wanting a simple, silent observation as an alternative to massive parades and marches.
As an American, it was impressive to see the show of national spirit and unity on Anzac Day: the close relationship that Australia and New Zealand have isn’t always obvious to outsiders, but it shines through in their shared military history. Australia and New Zealand have sacrificed their lives to support wars they didn’t start: most famously at Gallipoli, but during WWII, the Korea and Vietnam wars, and most recently in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Anzac biscuits were baked for care packages for Australia and New Zealand Armed Corps forces during World War 1. Here’s my favorite recipe for these delicious and simple cookies–recommended and tested out by my favorite Australian friend. Take a moment, enjoy a cookie and be thankful for the sacrifices the Anzac forces made–even when they didn’t start the trouble.
- 1 cup (150g) plain flour
- 1 cup (90g) rolled oats
- 1 cup (85g) Ward McKenzie desiccated coconut
- 3/4 cup (155g) brown sugar
- 125g butter
- 2 tbs golden syrup
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
Put the butter, golden syrup and 2 tbs water in a small saucepan. Stir over a medium heat until melted. Stir in the bicarbonate of soda.
Pour the butter mixture into the flour mixture and stir until combined.
Roll level tablespoons of mixture into balls. Place on the trays, about 5cm apart.
Press with a fork to flatten slightly. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
Set aside on the trays for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack so it cools completely.
