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Damper (Australian Campfire Bread)

Cuisine of Australia Damper is Australian bushman's bread, made while camping or "waltzing matilda" (carrying a swag around looking for work). It is meant to be made outside by a campfire.

Damper (Australian Campfire Bread) prepared recipe
PrepNot statedCook50 minServes2LevelAdvanced
Cook with confidence

Before you start

A quick setup makes the method easier to follow and keeps important steps from being missed.

Preparation checklist

  • Read all 6 method steps from beginning to end.
  • Measure and arrange all 3 listed ingredients.
  • Set aside about 50 minutes, based on the time recorded by the source.

Recipe notes & preparation tips

This cookbook also has a Drover's damper recipe.

You can do this in a barbecue grill with the mixture in greased metal foil as well. During cooking, damper increases in volume by ⅓ to ½, so allow room for expansion.

If you aren't outdoors, just add mixture to greased oven tray and bake in a moderate oven for 30–40 minutes.

Adapted from the source recipe's notes.
Step by step

Method

  1. 01

    Add salt to flour.

  2. 02

    Add water, then mix and form into a round loaf.

  3. 03

    Dig a 1 foot-deep hole near a fire, and fill it with 2 shovels of hot coals and ash.

  4. 04

    Add damper mixture to a greased camp oven (traditional cast iron round pot with lid).

  5. 05

    Cook in the hole for a maximum of 40 minutes. If undercooked it will be flat and rubbery.

  6. 06

    Your first try may be inedible. Keep trying, you'll soon be an expert.

Ready to serve

Serve the dish as directed and enjoy it while it is at its best.

Bon appétit — enjoy your meal!
Transparent sourcing

Source & licence

This recipe was adapted and reformatted from Wikibooks Cookbook . Text: CC BY-SA 4.0. Image: CC BY 3.0, credited to N.Goodwin; view original image record .

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