Key Points
- Bush tucker is food native to Australia, which is often nutritious and packed with proteins and fibres.
- Think what is in sync with the Southern Hemisphere summer when considering bush tucker inclusions, one expert explains.
- Having discussions about where native ingredients come from is one way to pay homage to Australia's First Nations people.
Bush tucker is food native to Australia and historically consumed by First Nations people and enjoyed by many.
Most bush tucker is nutritious and packed with proteins and fibres, and can include various fruits, plants, fauna and seeds.
While native ingredients have gained increased attention in recent years, for the home cook, it can be challenging to know where to begin when incorporating them into dishes.
Damien Coulthard is an Adnyamathanha and Dieri man from the Flinders Rangers and co-founder of Warndu, a business that sells native ingredients.
Co-founder of Warndu, Damien Coulthard. Credit: Jiwon Kim Credit: Jiwon Kim
"Ultimately, what we like to encourage is just experimentation with the different natives and just embodying it, and celebrating it within your cooking," Mr Coulthard says.
He believes there is no better time to start than the festive period, where a variety of dishes are served.
Here are five things you can do to incorporate bush tucker into your festivities.
1. Add native ingredients to salads
Rather than starting a recipe using native ingredients, just substitute your regular ingredients, Mr Coulthard advises.
"It's about working through different flavour profiles," he says.
For example, warrigal greens can be matched with spinach, samphire can be incorporated with asparagus, and lemon myrtle gives you a citrus taste similar to lemon, but stronger.
2. Season and marinate with native ingredients
If turkey, chicken, lamb or fish are to be served, look to season with native options, including saltbush which has a salty and herbal flavour, perfect for , stir-frying, and even .
Pepperberry can make a great while geraldton wax has a lemony pine taste and is ideal for stuffing or to accompany seafood.
3. Go seafood
Minyungbal woman Arabella Douglas is a founder of Currie Country, a leading First Nations organisation that facilitates connection through cultural immersion.
She explains that one thing to consider when adding native ingredients is to ask, what would be in sync with the Southern Hemisphere summer?
"We need to remember where we are and act like where we are, which is a Southern Hemisphere continent," Ms Douglas says.
Arabella Douglas is a founder of Currie Country. Credit: Jiwon Kim
Ms Douglas believes prawns and seafood are good options to serve, while pippies and crab are among her favourites.
"The trick is making the condiments that come alive.
"We're very conscious of where you can replace an important ingredient with a native ingredient."
4. Add native ingredients to the classic Pavlova
Strawberry gum Pavlova with wattleseed cream. Credit: Josh Geelan and Luisa Brimble
"Everyone loves our , the cream is infused with wattleseed," Mr Coulthard says.
They are even better when served with native fruits like quondongs, Davidson plums and muntries, he adds
Similar additions can be made for festive season favourites such as trifle.
5. Add native ingredients to your beverages
Wattleseed can make a perfect alternative to coffee, while still giving the same energy kick, but without the caffeine.
Finger limes and Davidson plums can be a welcome addition to soft drinks while lemon myrtle is a good accompaniment to tonic-based drinks.
River mint and ant loose tea can give you a calming effect.
Create a storyboard and share
Researching and discussing where native ingredients come from can be one way to celebrate Australia's rich heritage.
"Make an effort to identify the state, the language name connected to an Aboriginal nation, and build up the storyboard about it, make it a real celebration," Mr Coulthard says.
"That gives you a true appreciation for what you're having."
