From the Outback to the Plate ~ Unveiling the Wonders of Bush Tucker

From the Outback to the Plate: Unveiling the Wonders of Bush Tucker


Bush tucker, also called bushfood, refers to any food native to Australia that was traditionally eaten by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It can include:

  • Animals: Kangaroo, emu, crocodile, witchetty grubs (moth larvae), and various insects.

  • Plants: Fruits like quandong, wattleseed, and munthari, vegetables like warrigal greens and murnong, and spices like lemon myrtle and wattleseed.

For thousands of years, Indigenous Australians have relied on bush tucker as a sustainable food source. They developed sophisticated techniques for hunting, gathering, and preparing these foods, considering the unique seasons and environments of different regions across Australia. 

Bush tucker is not only a delicious and nutritious food source, but it also holds deep cultural significance for Indigenous Australians. Different foods are associated with particular stories, songs, and ceremonies.

Today, bush tucker is enjoying a revival as Australians reconnect with their native food heritage and appreciate the unique flavours and health benefits of these natural foods. You'll find bush tucker incorporated into restaurant menus, gourmet products, and even cooking classes.



Kangaroo

Kangaroo meat is a lean and flavourful option! Here are two recipe ideas to get you started:

Kangaroo Burgers:

This recipe uses kangaroo mince (ground meat) to create delicious and healthy burgers.

Ingredients:

  1. 1 kg kangaroo mincemeat

  2. 2 large eggs

  3. 1 cup breadcrumbs

  4. 1 tablespoon garlic, crushed

  5. 1 large brown onion, finely diced

  6. ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce

  7. ¼ cup tomato sauce (or ketchup)

  8. (Optional) 12 drops Tabasco sauce

  9. 2 teaspoons dried thyme

  10. 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  11. ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

  12. 1 large carrot, grated

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix all ingredients together.

2. Form the mixture into 8-12 burger patties, depending on your desired size.

3. Heat a well-oiled BBQ plate or frying pan over medium heat.

4. Cook the burgers for several minutes per side, turning carefully as kangaroo mince can be crumbly, until cooked through.

5. Serve on hamburger buns with your favorite toppings.

Healthy Kangaroo and Vegetable Skewers:

This recipe utilizes kangaroo steaks for a flavourful and nutritious skewer dish.

Ingredients:

  1. 500g kangaroo steaks

  2. 1 tablespoon smoky paprika

  3. 1 tablespoon turmeric

  4. 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  5. 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

  6. 1 large zucchini, chopped into discs

  7. 1 punnet cherry tomatoes

  8. 1 red onion, cut into chunks

  9. Skewers

Instructions:

1. Cut the kangaroo steaks into 2cm chunks.

2. In a bowl, combine spices and olive oil. Add kangaroo pieces and marinate for at least 15 minutes.

3. Soak wooden skewers in water for 10 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.

4. Preheat your grill to medium heat.

5. Thread vegetables and marinated kangaroo pieces alternately onto skewers.

6. Grill the skewers for several minutes per side, turning regularly, until the kangaroo is cooked through and the vegetables are tender-crisp.

These are just two recipe ideas, and there are many other ways to cook kangaroo. With its lean profile, kangaroo meat can be a delicious and healthy addition to your meals. Be sure to adjust cooking times based on the thickness of your kangaroo pieces.

 


Emu

Emu meat is another lean and flavourful option, similar to kangaroo. 

Emu Steaks with Garlic Herb Butter:

This recipe features succulent emu steaks simply seasoned and topped with a flavourful garlic herb butter. 

Ingredients:

  1. 2 emu steaks (around 200g each)

  2. 1 tablespoon olive oil

  3. Salt and freshly ground black pepper

  4. 100g unsalted butter, softened

  5. 2 cloves garlic, minced

  6. 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)

  7. 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary)

Instructions:

1. Preheat a grill or frying pan over medium-high heat (around 200°C).

2. Pat the emu steaks dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.

3. Heat olive oil in the pan. Sear the steaks for 2-3 minutes per side for a medium-rare doneness. Alternatively, cook to your desired level of doneness.

4. While the steaks cook, prepare the garlic herb butter. In a small bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, chopped thyme, and chopped rosemary. 

5. Once the steaks are cooked, remove them from the pan and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

6. Top each steak with a generous pat of garlic herb butter. 

Emu Stir-Fry with Vegetables:

This recipe offers a quick and easy way to enjoy emu in a stir-fry with colorful vegetables. 

Ingredients:

  1. 300g emu stir-fry strips (or diced emu meat)

  2. 1 tablespoon soy sauce

  3. 1 tablespoon cornstarch

  4. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  5. 1 red bell pepper, sliced

  6. 1 green bell pepper, sliced

  7. 1 onion, sliced

  8. 150g sugar snap peas

  9. 2 cloves garlic, minced

  10. 1 tablespoon grated ginger

  11. 50 ml chicken broth (or vegetable broth)

  12. 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)

  13. Salt and freshly ground black pepper

  14. Cooked rice or noodles, for serving

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine emu strips with soy sauce and cornstarch. Marinate for 15 minutes.

2. Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large pan over high heat. Add the marinated emu and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.

3. Add the bell peppers, onion, and sugar snap peas to the pan and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until softened slightly.

4. Add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry for another minute until fragrant.

5. Pour in chicken broth and oyster sauce (if using). Bring to a simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened.

6. Return the emu pieces to the pan and toss to coat with the sauce. 

7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

8. Serve stir-fry over cooked rice or noodles. 

Crocodile


Crocodile meat is a unique and flavourful option, but it's important to source it responsibly from reputable farms. 


Crocodile Curry with Coconut Milk:

This flavourful curry showcases crocodile meat in a creamy coconut milk sauce.

Ingredients:

  1. 500g crocodile fillet, cut into bite-sized pieces

  2. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  3. 1 onion, finely chopped

  4. 2 cloves garlic, minced

  5. 1 tablespoon grated ginger

  6. 1 green chilli pepper, deseeded and chopped (adjust for spice preference)

  7. 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

  8. 1 teaspoon ground coriander

  9. ½ teaspoon ground cumin

  10. 400ml coconut milk

  11. 100ml chicken broth (or vegetable broth)

  12. 1 tablespoon tomato purée

  13. 1 tablespoon soy sauce

  14. Salt and freshly ground black pepper

  15. Fresh coriander leaves, chopped (for garnish)

  16. Cooked rice or naan bread, for serving

Instructions:

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, around 5 minutes.

2. Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and chopped green chilli pepper. Cook for another minute until fragrant.

3. Stir in the ground turmeric, coriander, and cumin. Cook for an additional minute, allowing the spices to release their aroma.

4. Add the crocodile pieces and cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, to brown the meat on all sides.

5. Pour in the coconut milk, chicken broth, tomato purée, and soy sauce. Season generously with salt and pepper.

6. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cover the pot. Let the curry simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the crocodile meat is tender.

7. Once cooked, adjust the seasoning if needed and garnish with chopped fresh coriander leaves.

8. Serve the crocodile curry hot over cooked rice or naan bread.

Important Note: Crocodile meat can vary in toughness depending on the cut. If the pieces seem tough after simmering,  increase the cooking time by 10-15 minutes, checking for tenderness periodically. 

Enjoy


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