ANZAC Day

This morning we went to a dawn service for ANZAC Day. Lucky for us it was just down the road from us, so we could walk there (at the dark & foggy time of 5:00am). We were blown away by how many people there were there, and by the breathtaking parade complete with bagpipers, war veterans, and soldiers marching (if bagpipes don't wake you up at 5am, nothing will!).

I was quite moved by the ceremony, something else that surprised me. It's only recently I suppose that I've come to realise that by commemorating people who have died in war, doesn't make you in favour of or a supporter of war, and isn't glorifying it either. I guess I used to think it did and chose not to participate much in the day...
In fact for me today it was quite the opposite, more sad and reflective. Was it because I now look at the world through the eyes of a mother I wonder? Not sure but I came to the conclusion that ANZAC Day can be whatever you want it to be...

So after going home and having a nap, I guess we got further into the spirit - my husband meeting friends for drinks and no doubt a spot of two-up, and I decided to make some ANZAC biscuits.

I debated about whether to share this with you or not - it's my grandmother's recipe so I half wanted to keep it a secret - how selfish I know! But after making them and deciding they were the best I've ever made, I thought I'd let you in on the world's best ANZAC biscuit recipe, lucky you ;)
It may very well be the same as hundreds of others out there (who knows, my grandmother might've got the recipe from Woman's Weekly or something!) but I prefer to think it was an original war-time recipe she'd kept for years, so let's go with that, shall we?

ANZAC Biscuits

1 cup of rolled oats
3/4 cup desiccated coconut
1 cup plain flour
1 cup sugar
100g butter
1 tablespoon golden syrup
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
2 tablespoons of boiling water

In a large bowl combine oats, coconut, flour and sugar.
Melt butter and golden syrup over a low heat until melted and combined.
Pour butter mixture over dry ingredients, mix well.
Add bicarbonate of soda to boiling water and while still fizzing, add to other ingredients and mix well.
Roll spoonfuls (I use a rather large heaped teaspoon full) into balls and place on greased tray, allowing room for spreading.
Push down on each ball with the back of a spoon or a fork.
Bake in a moderate oven for about 20 minutes.
Allow to cool and store in an airtight container - or just eat them all in one sitting.

This made about 30 for me today, depends on your biscuit size.
I managed to get them perfectly crunchy on the outside and a little bit chewy on the inside (the perfect ANZAC bikkie I think!), but I've made them before in different ovens with mixed results. Like most biscuit/cookie baking it really depends on the oven.

I'd love to hear if anyone actually makes these, please let me know if you do!

Enjoy x