High-SocieTea
"Where the Art and Elegance of Taking Tea is Treasured"
"Tea Down Under, Mate" A true tea devotee with a sweet tooth, John Howard was the second longest serving Prime Minister of Australia, and Sources: www.pm.gov.au Cake: Preheat oven to 275E. Grease two loaf pans and line with waxed paper.
the 25th person to hold that office. By the time he was first elected in 1996, he had already been in Parliament for 22 years, 21 of which serving either as a Minister or Shadow Minister. He held positions of Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs, Minister for Special Trade Negotiations and Treasurer of the Commonwealth.
He was re-elected three times as Prime Minister and remained in office until 2007. He campaigned and ran on a platform of low unemployment, fiscal responsibility and low interest rates. He was self-described as the "most conservative leader the Liberals ever had."
During his first year in office, Mr. Howard began the privatization of Telstra, Australia’s telecommunications agency. Forty-nine percent of Telstra was eventually sold in two share offers from 1996-1999. He also introduced nationwide gun control. He began a federally funded buy-back program of guns in response to a mass shooting at Port Arthur in Tasmania, which occurred just six weeks after Mr. Howard to
ok office.
Former Prime Minister John Howard is a graduate of the University of Sydney and holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree. He was admitted as a solicitor of the New South Wales Supreme Court and was a partner in a Sydney firm of solicitors.
He is a keen follower of cricket and enjoys playing tennis and golf. He also avidly follows the St. George Rugby League football team. He married his wife, Janette, a teacher, in 1971. They have three adult children, Melanie, Tim and Richard. Their children followed in their father’s footsteps by studying law.
Mr. Howard is an enthusiastic tea drinker, enjoying a variety of different types of tea. One of his favorite sweet treats is Fruit Cake. He has graciously provided the recipe for this cake below. Made with a variety of fruits and laced with brandy, it is sure to warm your heart and make you a "mate" for life.
Our sincere appreciation goes to former Prime Minister John Howard for contributing to this article, and to Danielle Kerr, former Assistant Private Secretary to the Prime Minister for her generous assistance with the preparation of this article.
www.primeministers.naa.gov.au
Photos: © Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Australia
Prime Minister John Howard's
Fruit Cake
1-1/2 cups sultanas
1-1/2 cups chopped
raisins
2/3 cup chopped
seeded prunes
3/4 cup dried currants
1/2 cup chopped
glazed cherries
1/2 cup brandy
2 sticks butter
2 teaspoons finely
grated lemon rind
1 cup firmly packed
brown sugar
2 tablespoons honey
4 eggs
1-1/2 cups all purpose
flour
1/2 cup self-rising flour
Topping:
1/4 cup brandy
In a large bowl, combine sultanas, raisins, prunes, currants, cherries and brandy. Let stand overnight or up to one week.
In a small bowl, beat butter, lemon rind and brown sugar; add honey and beat until just combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until just combined. Stir this mixture into the fruit mixture.
Stir in the sifted flours a little at a time into the cake mixture. Pour the cake mixture into the prepared pans.
Bake for approximately 2-1/2 hours or until done. Test with a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes.
Remove the cakes from the oven and immediately brush with the 1/4 cup brandy. Cover the pans tightly with foil, and let the cakes cool in the pans.
