ANZAC Day

25 April is ANZAC day in New Zealand and Australia. It stands for Australia New Zealand Army Corp.  It began on 25 April 1916. It was to commemorate the fallen soldiers from Australia and NZ who had fought on the Gallipoli Peninsula during WWI. Their plan was to capture Constantinople which was part of the Ottoman Empire. So many soldiers had died. When they honored them a year later they established the Returned Services Association.

It did not become a national holiday until after WWII.  But it was not a day that became very popular.  Some people wanted it to be moved to a Sunday so it did not interfere with the work week. It became a day of protest during the Vietnam war and to protest other civic problems.  In the 1980 there was an insurgent of interest in WWI and the great contribution of the Australian and New Zealand military.

The anzac cookie is believed to have been invented during WWI. Because it had not eggs in it it was able to be sent overseas to the men serving in Europe.  The women would make it and  send it to their husbands or brothers or sons serving so far away. It would be hard as rocks but they would just dunk it in their tea or coffee. We bought some a month ago and they were so hard. But I guess that is part of the history.

The ones we bought came in a tin that is now holding my cross stitch materials.

I made some of them for our meeting with the visitors on Thursday since it is ANZAC Day. They are pretty good. 

ANZAC Biscuits

1 c. flour

1 c. coconut

1 c. sugar 

2 c. oatmeal

Mix all this together. 

In a pan combine 1/4 c butter, 2 Tbsp golden syrup  (I think the closest thing to this would be dark caro syrup.) and 3 Tbsp water.

Bring to a boil.  Stir 1 tsp. baking soda into the butter mixture. Be careful because it will bubble up. I hold it over the dry ingredients when I but in the soda because the one time it did bubble over. Form into small one inch balls. Be sure and smash them just a bit with your hand.  

Bake 10 minutes in a 350 degree over.  

Store in a tight container. They will harden but not spoil.  They are great with mini chocolate chips or even if you dip half in chocolate.