Bedourie Oven
A variation of the camp oven, developed in the 1920s at Bedourie Station in outback Queensland. It is made of pressed steel and therefore has the advantage of being unbreakable, unlike the camp oven.
Beetroot
Beet (US).
Bicarb
Bicarbonate of soda, or baking soda. Normally this is combined with an acid ingredient, which reacts with the soda to produce the rise, for example, sour milk, sour cream or vinegar. To make 1 teaspoon of baking powder, combine ¹⁄3 teaspoon bicarb with ²⁄3 teaspoon cream of tartar.
Bickie
Australian for ‘biscuit’.
Biscuit
Cookie (US).
Billy
The favoured cooking vessel of the Australian camper since about 1850, ideal for tea, soups and stews, but many other foods can be cooked in it. Consisting of a large can with a lid and wire handle, it has the advantages of being cheap, light to carry and unbreakable. The name is a mystery, with some suggesting it was called after King William, others that the name was derived from an Aboriginal word for water, or from the ‘bully’ beef tins which it resembles.
Butter
Traditionally butter is salted in Australia, to help it keep in the heat and give it flavour.
Camp Oven
A circular flat-bottomed lidded pot of blackened cast-iron raised from the ground on three stumpy legs. Using a set of camp-oven irons, which attach to small handles either side, it is placed on a bed of hot coals left by the campfire. The same irons, like a pair of long rods terminating in a hook at the lower end and joined together at the other by a chain, manoeuvre the lid on and off. Most cooking is done with the lid on, covered with coals, providing a two-way heat which gives a richly browned finish to many dishes. It needs to be packed carefully against breakages while travelling and greased with a little fat after washing to prevent rust.
Capsicum
Sweet (bell) pepper.
Castor Sugar
Superfine sugar (US). Use this to make cakes and meringues since it dissolves more quickly. Usually not used in biscuits, which are crunchier if made with regular white sugar.
Choko
Chayote, custard marrow, christophine.
Chook
A colloquial term for a chicken or hen.
Cordial
An Australian and New Zealand term for a concentrated, sweetened fruit syrup to which water is added for a refreshing non-alcoholic summer drink, or the drink made from this.
Cornflour
Cornstarch (US). A very fine flour made from either maize (corn) or wheat, used for thickening sauces, or in custards, cakes and biscuits.
Cuppa
Contraction for a ‘cup of tea’.
Currants
Dried currants (US). From the term raisin de Corinthe, small black dried grapes originally from Corinth in Greece. Not to be confused with black, red or white currants (types of berries).
Custard Apple
Cherimoya, Anona.
Desiccated Coconut
Finely shredded dried coconut, unsweetened.
Dripping
Clarified, rendered beef, lamb or mutton fat. It accumulates in the dish when a joint is baked. To save, remove the meat and veg from the baking dish when done, pour all the fat and juices into a small bowl. Then carefully spoon off the liquefied fat into another bowl or container, using the juices underneath to make the gravy. Keep the dripping covered in the fridge for cooking. Blocks of dripping (250 g or 1 lb) can also be bought, for example, at some IGA supermarkets.
Galah
A pink and grey parrot of exquisite tenderness and succulence.
Glacé
Candied (US).
Golden Syrup
As its name implies, a golden-coloured syrup produced by the sugar mills, similar in consistency to honey but with its own unique flavour. It is much paler in colour and with a milder taste than treacle.
Gum Leaves
Leaves of eucalyptus trees.
Icing Sugar
Confectioners’ sugar (US).
Lolly
Australian for ‘sweet’ (UK) or ‘candy’ (US).
Mixed Fruit
Mixed dried fruit, a standard grocery item. It includes raisins, sultanas, currants, mixed peel and glacé cherries.
Mixed Herbs
A standard grocery item, consisting of dried thyme, marjoram, sage, etc.
Mixed Peel
A standard grocery item, consisting of finely chopped glacé orange and lemon peel.
Mixed Spice
A sweet (not hot) spice mix and a standard grocery item. It consists of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves, and may include some coriander, allspice and/or mace. Not to be confused with ground or whole allspice or pimento.
Patty Cake
Cup cake (US).
Pawpaw
Papaya, papaw.
Plain Flour
All-purpose flour (US).
Self-raising Flour
Flour which contains a chemical rising agent such as baking powder. It can be made by mixing 1 teaspoon of baking powder for each cup of plain flour.
Shallots
Spring onions, scallions.
Sultanas
Golden (white) raisins.
Swede
Yellow turnip, rutabaga.
Sweets
An older Australian term for dessert. Sometimes manufacturers use it as a term for lollies.
Tucker
Also spelt ‘tukka’. A colloquial Australian and New Zealand term for ‘food’ at least since 1852, probably related to the idea of ‘tucking in’. Common combinations include bush tucker/tukka (native Australian foods, especially from plants, but sometimes meats), tuckerbox and tuckerbag (for holding food), and bonza tucker (very good food).
Veg or Vegie
Short for ‘vegetable’.
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Traditional Australian Cookery 