Tried Tested and True
BUFFALO might not be the first meat that springs to mind when you see a scotch fillet on the menu.
But Judy Anictomatis knows better than anyone that this animal goes great on a plate.
Ms Anictomatis grew up hunting and cooking buffalo with her five sisters in the Darwin River area.
Her family processed the meat for pet food, but discovered buffalo meat was perfect for a family meal.
“We would use all of the buffalo, we didn’t waste any. We would extract our own Scotch fillets … it’s really good, lean meat,” Ms Anictomatis said.
Now, the former NT Country Women’s Association president and long-time member is sharing her memories and a treasured family recipe with author, Liz Harfull, as a part of her cookbook, Tried Tested and True. Tried Tested and True is comprised of 60 different community cookbooks and promises “treasured recipes and untold stories” from around Australia. It was in her extensive research for the book that Ms Harfull came across the Buffalo Cook Book, first released by the CWA of the Northern Territory in 1981, and dedicated entirely to recipes for the meat.
Drawn to this unusual theme, Ms Harfull contacted the CWA head office in Darwin and was quickly put in contact with Ms Anictomatis, who was more than happy to share her unique story.
According to Ms Harfull, Ms Anictomatis’ knowledge and memories “added a whole new perspective to the buffalo theme”.
“She very generously gave me her family recipe for buffalo sartee, which I included in the book, along with one of four different variations given in the CWA cookbook,” Ms Harfull said. Although Ms Anictomatis wasn’t included in the original CWA buffalo cookbook, she’s excited for her family recipe to be recognised in Tried Tested and True.
The book has been short-listed for the Gourmand Award, which organisers have described as the food culture equivalent of the Olympics.
The 2019 award attracted thousands of entries from over 200 countries.
Tried Tested and True was named the Australian winner in both the best book based around an aspect of food heritage and the best easy home recipes category.
Tried Tested and True is available through Australian bookshops or direct from the author.
For more information visit lizharfull.com