Bring on ANZAC day!

Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, and is commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour members of the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all those who died and served in military operations for their countries. ANZAC day is a public holiday in my homeland, and there are usually parades in every city to commemorate the day. The dawn (meaning you have to be there before dawn) service in Melbourne is always amazing! After the march, everyone then settles in at their favourite pub to drink the day away and share stories.

Long before the wars, the flower that symbolized death, renewal and life was the poppy. Following the Great War, it has become synonymous with remembrance. In Australia, single poppies are not usually worn on ANZAC Day (this is reserved for Remembrance Day, 11 November). However, wreaths of poppies are traditionally placed at memorials and honour boards on ANZAC Day. I am including this DIY for making paper poppies, you can make a bunch of them and create your own wreath.

Paper Poppies

1. Cut 8 circles from red card/paper
2. Draw some veins on these circles to look like petals
3. Layer 4 petals like the picture below

4. Layer 4 more petals behind the first ones. All with glue or tape

5. Now cut 4 small circles from black card. This will be the centre of the poppy.
6. Cut lines into the center of 3 of the circles

7. Cut out a Mulberry leaf from the green card

8. Cut curved triangles into the leaf edges
9. Score veins into the leaf leaning on a spongy surface
10. Put three shredded circles in a triangle formation. Then put the plain circle on top of that. Put the leaf underneath the complete flower. All put together with glue or tape

One popular treat on Anzac day are Anzac biscuits (originally called Soldiers' biscuits). They came into being around 1915 when soldiers' wives and/or mothers would bake and send the biscuits to the troops stationed overseas. The biscuits were ideal because they were cheap to make (remember that it was the Great Depression), non-perishable (Anzac biscuits contain no eggs or milk) and so didn't need refrigeration, and gave the men some added nutrition and sustenance. They are super quick and Easy to make!



Anzac Biscuit Ingredients
1 cup plain flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup desiccated coconut
4 oz butter
2 tablespoons boiling water
1 tablespoon golden syrup
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (add a little more water if mixture is too dry)

Anzac Biscuit Directions
Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius (or approx 375 degrees F).
Grease a biscuit tray or line with baking paper.
In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients.
In a small saucepan over a medium heat (or in a microwave proof jug or bowl in the microwave), combine the butter and golden syrup until the butter has melted.
In a small bowl, combine the boiling water and bicarbonate of soda.
Add the bicarb and water mixture with the melted butter and golden syrup.
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
Mix thoroughly.
Dollop teaspoonfuls of the biscuit mixture onto the greased baking tray.
Don't forget that the biscuits WILL spread during baking, so make sure you leave room for them to spread!
Bake for 12 minutes, or until golden brown.
Remove from oven.
Allow the Anzac biscuits to cool on the tray for a few minutes before removing to a cooling rack.

Enjoy ANZAC day, for those of you in Jacksonville, join us at the pub for a beer if you can!