News

Aboriginal Bush Food — How To Make Lemon Myrtle Damper

Australian Lemon Myrtle boasts a citrus fragrance and flavour and is traditionally used in Aboriginal cuisine and medicine. Typically you’ll find Lemon Myrtle in the subtropical rainforests of central and south-eastern Queensland. This aromatic herb is iconic to Australia’s native herbs. Lemon Myrtle leaves can be used in teas, syrups, glazes, cakes, biscuits, dressings, sauces, ice creams, dips and meat dishes. Extracted Lemon Myrtle oil also has a refreshing ‘bushy’ scent and has holistic medicative properties to treat fungal and bacterial abrasions.

To grow Lemon Myrtle, you must plant in well-drained soil — but ensure to water thoroughly throughout the year. Leaves are oval, glossy green and 5-12 cm in length. Lemon Myrtle can grow up to 3m tall and up to 8m in rainforest conditions, but may be kept small in pots. Lemon Myrtle foliage has a lovely aesthetic and can be great as an ornamental shade tree or large shrub for any roomy garden.

Give this Lemon Myrtle Damper recipe a go — these little dampers take on an Australian twist with a native flavour.

8 Ingredients
2 cups self-raising flour
1/2 tsp sea salt
50g butter, chilled, chopped
1/2 tsp dried lemon myrtle (see note)
3/4 cup milk
Extra milk, for brushing
Extra plain flour, for dusting
Softened butter, to serve

Step 1
Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan-forced.

Step 2
Lightly grease a baking tray. Sift flour and salt into a large bowl. Add butter. Using fingertips, rub butter into flour mixture until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in lemon myrtle. Season with pepper. Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture. Add milk. Stir to form a soft, sticky dough.

Step 3
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead lightly for 1 minute or until just smooth. Shape dough into 6 balls.

Step 4
Place on a prepared tray. Cut shallow slits across the top of each ball. Brush with a little extra milk. Dust with a little extra flour.

Step 5
Bake for 15 minutes or until rolls sound hollow when tapped on top. Serve warm or at room temperature with butter.

*individual results may vary*

Contact our Nursery Manager Richard Burnell at +61 421 111 419 or richard.burrell@murumittigar.com.au for availability of Australian native bush tucker plants. Each plant will vary on the basis of whether in or out of season, however there’s always something on offer in our nursery.