Damper with Bush Tomato Butter

The story

Damper is rooted in colonial camp cooking, while bush tomato belongs to far older Indigenous food traditions of central Australia. Combining them creates a deliberate meeting of two very different histories. The plain, warm bread becomes more complex with butter carrying bush tomato’s earthy, caramel and slightly sharp flavour. A crisp crust and tender crumb remain essential. The dish works well in educational and contemporary Australian menus when the native ingredient is properly credited rather than treated as a novelty.

Ingredients

• Main
• 250 gram self-raising flour250 g self-raising flour
• 0.5 teaspoon fine salt0.5 tsp fine salt
• 60 gram butter60 g butter, divided
• 150 millilitre milk150 ml milk
• 8 gram bush tomato8 g bush tomato, crushed
• 5 gram parsley5 g parsley, chopped

Method

1. Step 1

   Rub butter into self-raising flour and salt.

   Look for: Look for good colour, aroma and the texture described in the step. Tip: Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Avoid: Do not rush this stage; controlled heat gives a better final texture.

2. Step 2

   Add milk and mix into a soft dough.

   Look for: Look for good colour, aroma and the texture described in the step. Tip: Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Avoid: Do not rush this stage; controlled heat gives a better final texture.

3. Step 3

   Shape into a round and score the top.

   Look for: Look for good colour, aroma and the texture described in the step. Tip: Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Avoid: Do not rush this stage; controlled heat gives a better final texture.

4. Step 4

   Bake until golden and hollow-sounding.

   Look for: Look for good colour, aroma and the texture described in the step. Tip: Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Avoid: Do not rush this stage; controlled heat gives a better final texture.

5. Step 5

   Mix softened butter with bush tomato and serve with warm slices.

   Look for: Look for good colour, aroma and the texture described in the step. Tip: Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Avoid: Do not rush this stage; controlled heat gives a better final texture.

Nutrition

per serving

Estimated from the upgraded serves-2 metric ingredient list; verify with a nutrition calculator before making health claims.