Johnny Cakes on the NAIDOC menu
By Samantha Elley
For over 50 years NAIDOC Week has been celebrated to highlight all things Indigenous in culture.
Casino West Preschool was no different and the children had a very busy week last week with face painting, learning about the Aboriginal flag and its colours, making Johnny Cakes and so much more.
“This week we’ve had two family members make Johnny Cakes, Tania Walker on Tuesday and Aunty Lenie (Eileen Thompson) came in Thursday,” said preschool teacher, Tamara Freeburn.
“Johnny Cakes go back to ye olde days and were a staple Aboriginal food.”
The importance of NAIDOC Week is found in what the children, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal are learning, according to Tamara.
“For Aboriginal children it is a continuation of their culture from home to preschool,” she said.
“They are recognised and celebrated and respected.
“For non-Indigenous children, they learn they are growing up in a diverse community.”
Children learn through play-based activities with play dough using Aboriginal symbols and Aboriginal words and art.
Eileen Thompson, better known as Aunty Lenie, said that teaching the Aboriginal culture ensures it will get passed down to the next generation.
“Our culture is learning our art and cooking and language,” she said.
“It is a culture just like any other culture.”
Aunty Lenie said the children are interested, especially in the cooking and making Johnny Cakes is a big part of that.
“Traditionally they are cooked on the coals,” she said.
“I usually make them for sorry business too when we come together throughout the community.
“With my mob we still do it the traditional way, it’s an honour to dig their grave.”
Aunty Lenie said she liked to put jam on her Johnny Cakes but they are also often used in stews and curries.
Another initiative the preschool is doing to keep the Bundjalung language alive is a language program held by Aunty Leanne Davis.
“It is intentional teaching every week,” said Tamara.
“They learn body parts, animals and a range of other words which we then embed in their every day speech.”
Johnny Cakes recipe
Ingredients
- Self-raising flour:2 cups (or plain flour with 2 tsp baking powder)
- Salt:A generous pinch
- Liquid:¾ to 1 cup of water or milk
- Fat for frying:1-2 tbsp of butter, dripping, or vegetable oil
Instructions
- Mix:Place the flour and salt into a bowl. Gradually pour in the liquid, stirring with a knife until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
- Knead & Shape:Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead gently for a minute, then divide into small, palm-sized pieces. Shape each piece into a flat round patty, about 1.5 to 2 cm thick.
- Cook:Melt your butter or oil in a heavy-based frying pan (traditionally, a cast-iron skillet over hot coals) over medium heat.
- Fry:Place the cakes in the pan and cook for 3-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.
