CHIVES , PARSLEY AND BACON DAMPER

Damper is the bread of the bush . Damper is traditionally made in a cast iron pot with a lid ( a camp oven ). The entire pot is covered in hot wood coals or placed in a hole in the ground and covered with hot wood coals . Damper can be easily prepared in your kitchen and cooked in your preheated oven on an oven tray . Damper dough can be prepared ahead of time and frozen , and defrosted for 8 - 12 hours in your refrigerator . Cooked damper is best served fresh . The ingredients needed for ham and cheese damper ....3 tbs of marg / butter ,2 and 1/2 cups of self raising flour ,1 dsp of parsley flakes ,1 tsp of dried chives , 1 cup of grated tasty cheese ,200gm of chopped bacon pieces ,1 egg and 3/4 cup of milk . Let's get started , Preheat your oven to 200 deg C . Rub the margarine into the flour until it looks like breadcrumbs . Stir in parsley flakes ,chives , cheese and bacon pieces , mix well . Mix together the egg and milk and then stir through the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon and mix to a soft dough . Turn the dough onto a lightly floured board and knead lightly .(at this point you can wrap the dough in cling wrap and place in the freezer until required .) Shape into a cod and place on a baking paper covered oven tray . , cut a deep cross in the centre of the cob . Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the hob sounds hollow when tapped underneath . Serve hot with butter .... Mmmm delicious .