Food and Culture of Australia

Alissa Oates

Section 4

History of Australia


-The first modern settlement in Australia was January 1788 by Captain Arthur Phillip of England (Australia).
-Immigrants have heavily influenced the diets of today's Australians (Australia).
-Australian people have depended on the import of foods to survive since farming is so difficult (Australia).
-January 26th has been named National Day to remember the settlement of 1788 (Life in Australia).
-There are 2 sets of people who are indigenous to Australian land the Aboriginal people or Torres Strait Islanders have lived on the island since before it was settled on in 1788 (Indigenous Australians).

Land and Water of Australia

-Australia is the smallest continent in the world it is surrounded by the Pacific and Indian Oceans (Australia).
-The island is dry and has little rain fall on average about 17 inches a year (Australia). The dry climate and scarce rainfall contributes to there being only about 6% of the land being suitable for agriculture (Life in Australia).
-Australia's population is approximately 21 Million (Life in Australia).
-Capitol is Canberra (Life in Australia)
-Surface area is 7.74 Million Square Kilometers which is said to be about the size of the US without Alaska (Life in Australia).
-The National language is English (Life in Australia).
-The major trade partners are Japan, China, US, Singapore, UK, and Korea (Life in Australia).
Culture of Australia
Meeting Etiquette
. Australians are not very formal so greetings are casual and relaxed.
. A handshake and smile suffices.
. While an Australian may say, 'G'day' or 'G'day, mate', this may sound patronizing from a foreigner. Visitors should simply say, 'Hello' or 'Hello, how are you?'
. Aussies prefer to use first names, even at the initial meeting
.Gift Giving Etiquette
. Small gifts are commonly exchanged with family members, close friends, and neighbours on birthdays and Christmas.
. Trades people such as sanitation workers may be given a small amount of cash, or more likely, a bottle of wine or a six-pack of beer!
. If invited to someone's home for dinner, it is polite to bring a box of chocolates or flowers to the hostess. A good quality bottle of wine is always appreciated.
. Gifts are opened when received.
Dining Etiquette
. Many invitations to an Aussies home will be for a 'barbie' (BBQ).
. Guests to a barbeque typically bring wine or beer for their personal consumption. In some cases, very informal barbecues may suggest that you bring your own meat!
. Arrive on time if invited to dinner; no more than 15 minutes late if invited to a barbeque or a large party.
. Contact the hostess ahead of time to see if she would like you to bring a dish.
. Offer to help the hostess with the preparation or clearing up after a meal is served.
Watch your table manners!
. Table manners are Continental -- hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
. Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork parallel on your plate with the handles facing to the right.
. Keep your elbows off the table and your hands above the table when eating.
All retrieved from (Australia-Culture, Customs and Etiquette).

Recipes from Australia

Lamingtons
Ingredients
½ cup butter
1 teaspoon baking powder
¾ cup sugar
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 eggs
2 cups flour
½ cup milk
Pinch of salt
For icing:
4 cups confectioners' sugar
5 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons butter
½ cup milk
Shredded coconut
Procedure
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Mix together butter, sugar, vanilla, and eggs.
Slowly add baking powder, baking soda, flour, milk, and salt.
Pour mixture into an 8-inch square cake pan and bake for about 45 minutes.
Let cool and store overnight in a sealed container.
Make icing: Measure confectioners' sugar and cocoa into a large mixing bowl.
Heat milk and 2 teaspoons butter until the butter is melted. Add the milk gradually to the sugar mixture, stirring constantly. The icing should be fluid but not too runny.
Cut the cooled cake into 2-inch squares, and put the coconut into a shallow baking dish. Have ready a cooling rack set over a sheet of waxed paper to catch icing drips.
Holding a cake square with two forks, dip it into the icing, and then roll in the coconut. Transfer to rack to dry. Repeat until all cake square are coated.
Serves 16.

Australian Meat Pie
Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
1 cup ketchup
1 cup onion, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
? cup bread crumbs
1 teaspoon oregano
½ teaspoon pepper
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
2 prepared pie shells, 8-inch
Procedure
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Combine ground beef, ketchup, onion, salt, milk, breadcrumbs, oregano, and pepper in a bowl.
Mix well.
Divide mixture into 2 pie shells and bake for about 45 minutes.
While the pies are baking, mix together Worcestershire sauce and cheese in another bowl.
After about 45 minutes, remove pies from oven.
Spread Worcestershire sauce and cheese mixture on top of pie shells.
Bake for about 10 more minutes, or until cheese is melted.
Serves 6.

Black Australian Coffee
Ingredients
4 heaping Tablespoons decaffeinated coffee grounds
4 cups water
Pinch of salt
Pinch of dry powdered mustard (optional)
1 lemon, sliced crosswise into thin rounds
Procedure
Measure water into a saucepan and heat.
Sprinkle coffee on top of water.
Add salt and mustard, if desired.
Heat the mixture slowly to the boiling point.
Remove from heat immediately.
Let stand for 5 minutes and strain.
Serve coffee with a slice of lemon in each cup.

Grated Carrot, Apple, and Raisin Salad
Ingredients
1 head of lettuce
1 medium carrot, grated
1 medium red apple, chopped fine
¼ cup raisins
1 Tablespoon coconut, flaked
Juice of lemon
Procedure
Carefully remove several firm leaves from the head of lettuce, and arrange in a bowl.
Mix the remaining ingredients in a bowl.
Mound mixture in the lettuce "cup." Serve with cottage cheese, chicken, or lean cold meat.
Serves 6.
Native Plants and Animals of Australia



















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