Asparagus Salad

18 asparagus spears, cooked or canned.
1 cup diced ham.
1 cup diced fresh pineapple.
3/4 cup thick mayonnaise.
Chopped parsley.
Salt and pepper.
1/2 cup cooked rice.
2 dessertspoons slivered orange rind.
1 tablespoon lemon juice.

Method: Cut asparagus into 1/2 in. lengths. Combine with ham, rice, and pineapple. Lastly add pepper and salt to taste and bind with mayonnaise, to which lemon juice and a little lemon rind have been added. To serve, mound the salad in a bed of lettuce and sprinkle with orange rind and parsley. May be used on its own, or is very suitable for serving with poultry or pork.

Source: contributed by P. J. Peter in The Walford Recipe Book. Compiled by the Parent-Teacher Association of the Walford Church of England Girls' School. (Adelaide: Messenger Press; October 1966), p.31.

Sandwich Fillings

Cottage cheese, drained crushed pineapple, onion, salt.
Chopped raisins, mashed banana, a little sugar, orange juice.
Dates, chopped orange, nuts and raisins.
Peanut butter, cheddar cheese and chopped raisins.
Grated carrot and chopped raisins over peanut butter.
Cheese or ham with pineapple slices.
Ham or asparagus, or egg (curried).
Tomato and egg.
Chicken, walnuts and tomato.
Vegemite and walnuts.
Salmon and cucumber.
Cucumber (finely chopped), grated onion and mayonnaise.
Cottage cheese, celery, walnuts (grated carrot adds colour).

Source: contributed by Elizabeth M. Keynes in Angaston Kindergarten Jubilee Cookery Book 1955-1985. 1986 edition (Angaston, 1986), p.5.

Scallops Ramekin

1 lb. Tasmanian scallops.
1 cup Riesling.

Poach scallops in riesling for 5 minutes.
Remove scallops and place in the sauce which has been previously prepared.

Sauce: 3 oz. butter, 1/2 lb. mushrooms, 2 small chopped onions, 1 tomato cut into four quarters, 1/2 cup asparagus tips, 2 tablespoons plain flour, 1 teaspoon salt, pinch cayenne, clove of garlic (chopped), 1/2 cup fresh cream.

Method: Melt butter. In it saute mushrooms, onions, tomato, asparagus (lastly). When cooked sprinkle in flour, salt, cayenne, garlic. Slowly add riesling in which scallops were cooked, add fresh cream. Simmer a few minutes then add scallops. Place in four ramekins, pour a few drops of brandy on each. Cover with 1 cup grated cheddar cheese and sprinkle with fine breadcrumbs. Grill until golden brown.

Source: contributed by Mrs. J. Minks in The Walford Recipe Book. Compiled by the Parent-Teacher Association of the Walford Church of England Girls' School. (Adelaide: Messenger Press; October 1966), p.11.

Ham Mousse

1 lb boiled ham

1/2 lb liver pate

5 tspns cold water

1&1/2 level tabspns gelatine

1/2 pint very hot water

10 oz can condensed consomme

tomato wedges and asparagus for garnish

sliced radishes

2 level tspns paprika

1-2 tspns port

1/2 pint cream

salt and pepper

Method: Mince ham and fat, mix in pate thoroughly. Put cold water into jug, sprinkle with gelatine and leave a few minutes until mixture becomes spongey. Pour over the hot water and stir until gelatine has dissolved. When cool, but still liquid, stir in the consomme. Pour 1/4 pint of consomme liquid into mould, arrange radish slices decoratively over the bottom and leave to set.

Meanwhile, add remainder of the consomme to the ham mixture[,] stir in port and cream. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste. Leave to half set, then carefully spoon the mixture over the jellied base. Leave mould in refrigerator to set. To serve, quickly dip the mould into hot water, put serving plate on top and invert on to the dish.

Source: The Embroiderers' Recipe Book. Compiled by members of The Embroiderers' Guild of South Australia Incorporated ([Adelaide], n.d.), p.8.

Quick & Tasty Meal

Butter one slice bread and make into cheese sandwich. Cut into squares and place in small heatproof dish. Pour over one beaten egg with small amount of milk, salt and pepper and a liberal sprinkling of cheese. Bake 30-45 minutes. Serve with green salad. Try adding chopped and sauteed bacon, cold mashed potato, left-over cauliflower, ham or asparagus, chopped parsley.

Source: contributed by Mary Roberts in The Embroiderers' Recipe Book. Compiled by members of The Embroiderers' Guild of South Australia Incorporated ([Adelaide], n.d.), p.78.

Quick Nibbles - Bacon Wraps

Prunes wrapped in bacon

Scallops or any seafood in bacon

Broccoli or Cauli wrapped in bacon

Small Frankfurts wrapped in bacon

Freshly blanched Asparagus in bacon

Method: Wrap in bacon any of the above, secure with toothpicks and grill until bacon is cooked.

Source: contributed by Kate Eldredge in Cookbook: St Joseph's School, Clare (Clare: St Joseph's School, 1991), p.8.

Asparagus Parmesan

Asparagus -- fresh, frozen or canned (reserve some liquid)

1 cup crushed Sao biscuits

1/2 cup melted margarine or butter

1 tablespoon margarine or butter extra

1/2 teaspoon season-all (optional)

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

Sprinkling pepper

1 chicken cube

1&1/2 cups milk

2 dessertspoons cornflour

1 can sliced champignons (reserve some liquid)

Parmesan cheese

Method: If using fresh asparagus break off stalks as far down as they snap off easily, wash well. Cook approx. 10 minutes or until tender, drain. Melt margarine and combine with crushed biscuit crumbs and spread evenly over base of shallow baking dish.

Melt butter (or margarine) stir in onion powder, season-all, dry mustard, pepper, cornflour, cook until bubbly. Remove from heat, add milk (and a little of each of reserved asparagus and champignon liquid), mixing well. Add chicken cube, cook over low heat stirring until thickened. Stir in mushrooms. Place asparagus over biscuit crumbs and pour over sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake in moderate oven.

This dish can be made ahead, refrigerated and cooked just before serving.

Source: The Adelaide Children's Hospital Recipe Book 1982 (Adelaide: 1982), p.31.

Savoury Trays

Serve on either rectangular trays with food in vertical lines or round trays with food in wheel-spoke fashion:

Eggs in mayonnaise: Beetroot (dried on kitchen paper) diced and covered with french dressing: Asparagus spears: Red and Green peppers, sliced thinly: Tomatoes (halved and scalloped): Peas in mint: Carrots (baby), dipped in orange juice: Dried Apricots with cream cheese in centre: Variety of cold meats (bite size pieces).

Source: contributed by P. J. Young in Royal Adelaide Hospital Cookery Book: Our Favourite Recipes (Adelaide: 1981, 1st edition), p.7.

A Special Chicken Dish

Pull apart a cooked, hot chicken and place in bottom of casserole. Cover with slices of hard boiled eggs and asparagus. Save the stock from the chicken to cover the mixture. Dice 1 carrot, 1 onion, celery and 1 parsnip. Add to the stock and simmer until vegetables begin to soften. Thicken with 1/2 cup sherry, 1 cup cream, a large dob of butter and chopped parsley. Pour over prepared chicken. Liberally sprinkle top with breadcrumbs and blanched almonds. Heat in oven and serve with fried rice.

Source: Mantle of Safety Cookbook 2 (The Port Augusta Women's Air Branch Auxillary of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, c1987), p.91.

Mock Asparagus Soup

1 lb. brussel sprouts

1 rasher of fat bacon

1&1/2 pts. stock

1 cup milk

small bunch herbs

1 small onion

1 level tablesp. flour

1 dessertsp. margarine

salt & pepper

Method: Wash and trim sprouts. Place into boiling salted water and cook about 10 mins. until almost tender. Drain and reserve cooking water. Melt margarine in pan and fry sliced onion and bacon. Add sprouts and cover with lid. Cook for about 6-7 minutes, shaking pan at intervals to prevent sticking. Add stock, milk, vegetable cooking water, herbs, pepper and salt. Simmer about 1 hour. Add blended flour and cook further 10 minutes.

Source: contributed by Mrs. W. Manson in Selected Recipes Compiled by Port Pirie Branch Royal District and Bush Nursing Society (Port Pirie: 1966), p.14.

Hot Asparagus Logs

Pastry:

2 oz. flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon grated cheese

1 teaspoon butter

cayenne pepper

water

Method: Mix the flour, cheese and salt, rub in the butter, and mix into a dough with water. Roll the pastry very thinly, and cut into pieces 1" by 3". Brush with egg and sprinkle with cheese, salt and cayenne. Place a piece of asparagus on each. Roll pastry round asparagus. Dip in flour, egg and breadcrumbs, then wet and fry. May be made, then reheated in the oven when required.

Source: Memory Lane Cookbook (Rotary Club of Naracoorte, 1986), p.15.

Asparagus Mousse

2 x 16oz cans asparagus spears

3/4 pint cream

3 egg whites

2 tbs gelatine

6 tbs water

salt & pepper

green colouring

Garnish: asparagus, tomato

Method: Drain asparagus and puree, then put through a sieve. Sprinkle gelatine over water, leave 5 mins and then dissolve over low heat. Add to puree, stirring constantly. Cool until mixture begins to thicken around edges. Whip cream lightly and carefully stir into asparagus until smooth. Season to taste. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites and tint a delicate green with food colouring. Pour into 3 pint mould which has been rinsed with cold water. Cover with either foil or plastic wrap and chill. For a dinner party can be set in individual serving dishes. [Serves 6]

Source: The Parson Knows: Easy Dinner Party Recipes (The Parish of St. Stephen, Glenunga; n.d.), p.30 ['Autumn Menu']

Bacon, Kidney, Mushroom and Asparagus

4 rashers bacon
1 small tin mushrooms
1 pint white sauce cheese
3 lambs kidneys
1 tin asparagus tips
cheese
breadcrumbs

Method: Fry bacon till crisp and place in casserole. Wash and dry kidneys, cut in halves and cube, fry in bacon fat till brown. Add mushrooms and heat. Mix all ingredients in casserole and pour white sauce over top with cheese and breadcrumbs (mixed) and then brown in oven.

Source: contributed by L. Van Kleef in Country Cuisine (1987, reprint 1989: recipes "compiled by Lyn Wilson of South Hummocks and ladies from Balaklava and surrounding districts" in aid of the Crippled Children's Association of S.A.), p.15.

Beetroot & Asparagus Red Indian

Method: Using sliced beetroot place on large round platter to form shape of head and shoulders. Using asparagus spears place around head to form head-dress. To make face use pieces of raw onion.

Source: contributed by Mrs. P. Jones in Look and Cook: 1st/3rd Glenelg Scout and Cub Group (1971), p.54.

Asparagus in Salad

A tin of asparagus tips (drained) added to coleslaw or apple and celery salad gives a special flavour.

Source: The South Australian Country Women's Association Incorporated Presents Ways with Fruit and Vegetables (Adelaide: 1st edn, 1977), p.1.

Souper Souffle

1 can cream of celery, asparagus or mushroom soup
125g (4 oz) cheddar cheese, shredded
6 eggs, separated

Method: Combine undiluted soup and cheese in saucepan. Heat slowly stirring, until cheese is melted. Cool to room temperature. In large bowl, beat egg whites to soft peaks with electric mixer. In separate bowl, beat yolks until very thick, about 5 minutes. Gradually stir soup mixture into yolks, then fold into whites until no streaks remain. Pour into ungreased 8-cup soufflé dish or casserole. Bake in slow oven until well-risen, golden and fairly firm, about 1 hour. Serve at once. Serves 6.

Source: Memory Lane Cookbook (Rotary Club of Naracoorte, 1986), p.18.

Savoury Dip

2 chicken [stock] cubes
1 or 2 mushrooms [stock] cubes
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 dspn cornflour
1 small white onion (chopped) or 1 onion cube
2 oz grated cheese

Method: Mix all together, & boil until thick. Varieties to add: gherkin, asparagus, tuna, celery.

Source: Well Tried Barossa Recipes (St John's Lutheran Ladies Guild, Tanunda; reprint 2000 of 2nd edition 1975 [1st, 1974]), p.6.

Fish Entree

1 fillet of garfish or whiting per person
2 spears of asparagus per person
1 can cream of celery or onion soup

Method: Prepare fish. Roll 2 spears of asparagus in each fillet (skin outwards) and secure with a toothpick. Place in a buttered ovenware dish, pour over the can of soup. Bake for 20 mins. at 350. Garnish with lemon wedges.

Contributed by Mrs. G. S. Heithersay in Food for Thought. Favourite Recipes Specially Contributed By 222 Adelaide Hostesses to Aid the S.A. Association for Mental Health (n.d. [late 1960s?]), p.58.

Quick Mornay

1 large tin Tuna
1 tin Asparagus
1 tin Cream of Chicken Soup

Method: Mix all together and place in a casserole dish. Top with buttered breadcrumbs and grated cheese and heat through.

Source: Oodnadatta Cookbook (1986), p.36.

Whitebait Mousse

Line mould with asparagus, cucumber or parsley. Whip 1 cup of cream. Add 1 large tin St George's whitebait, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Dissolve small dstspn of gelatine in 2 tbspns of very hot water and 1 tbspn lemon juice. When nearly cold add to the other mixture. Mix thoroughly and pour into mould. Chill for 4 hours. Turn out and serve with crisp lettuce and asparagus. Garnish with lemon or with parsley.

Contributed by Mrs. I. S. D. Hayward in Food for Thought. Favourite Recipes Specially Contributed By 222 Adelaide Hostesses to Aid the S.A. Association for Mental Health (n.d. [late 1960s?]), p.57.