Australia Cake

6 ozs. butter, 6 ozs. sugar, 3 eggs, 12 ozs. S.R. flour, about 6 tablespoons milk, few drops vanilla, raspberry jam, cochineal to colour. Cream butter and sugar till light, add beaten eggs gradually, and beat well. Add sifted flour alternately with sufficient milk to provide a soft, dropping consistency. Put one half of mixture into well-greased cake tin. Spread with raspberry jam. Colour remaining half of mixture pink with cochineal, and spread evenly over jam. Bake in moderate oven 1&1/4 to 1&1/2 hours. Turn carefully on to cake cooler. When cold, ice top - one half pink, the other white. Or use white icing and sprinkle white coconut on the one half, pink on the other (rubbed in drop of cochineal and dried first).

Source: contributed by Mrs. R. J. Harrip (Berri) in The South Australian Country Women's Association Calendar of Cakes: A Cake a Day for 365 Days (Kent Town: S.A.C.WA.; 11th edition, 1973), 'Jan. 29'.

Hedgehog Fingers No. 1

1/4 lb. butter, 1/4 lb. sugar, 1 egg, 2 tablespoons cocoa, 1/2 lb. plain biscuits (such as coffee or Marie), 1/2 cup chopped nuts, 3/4 cup sliced raisins or dates (or a mixture), 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.

Method: Work butter, sugar, and cocoa together. Melt in a saucepan, and while still warm add crushed biscuits, beaten egg, fruit, and nuts. Mix well and press into a log tin or similar cake tin that has been lined with greaseproof paper. Level the top and put to set in cool place. When firm, cut into strips or fingers. May be iced if desired. The mixture may also be moulded into small balls while soft and rolled in coconut.

Source: contributed by Mrs. L. McInnes (Robe), Mrs. G. Foster (Lyndoch), Mrs. E. L. Withall (Jervois), and eight other members in The South Australian Country Women's Association Calendar of Cakes: A Cake a Day for 365 Days (Kent Town: S.A.C.WA.; 11th edition, 1973), 'Jan. 3'.

Sultana Loaf (Eggless, with mashed potato)

2 to 2&1/2 cups S.R. flour, 1/2 teaspoon each of spice, cinnamon and nutmeg, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup mashed potatoes, 1 cup sultanas, 1 cup milk.

Method: Sift flour and spices. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Bake in a greased loaf tin for 45 to 60 minutes in a moderate oven. Serve sliced with butter.

Source: contributed by Mrs. J. N. Dalzell (Cadell) in The South Australian Country Women's Association Calendar of Cakes: A Cake a Day for 365 Days (Kent Town: S.A.C.WA.; 11th edition, 1973), 'Jan. 13'.

Frangipanni Cake

Cake: 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 egg yolks, 1 large cup S.R. flour, pinch of salt, about 2 tablespoons milk, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, grated rind of 1 small orange.

Topping: 2 egg-whites, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 cup coconut.

Method: Beat butter and sugar to a cream, and beat in egg yolks. Stir in sifted flour, milk, vanilla, and rind. Place mixture in well-greased and lightly-floured tin. For the topping, whisk whites of eggs to a stiff froth and beat in sugar until stiff again. Then stir in the coconut. Spread on top of first mixture and bake in moderate oven about 40 minutes. Cover with paper if necessary to prevent burning of the macaroon top.

Source: contributed by Mrs. J. H. Hilder (Cradock), Mrs. C. McCarthy (Renmark), Mrs. Lloyd Pearce (Renmark), and three other members in The South Australian Country Women's Association Calendar of Cakes: A Cake a Day for 365 Days (Kent Town: S.A.C.WA.; 11th edition, 1973), 'Jan. 26'.

Old Time Ginger Cake

2&1/2 cups plain flour, 1 cup butter, 1 cup treacle, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 cup (scant) hot water, 2 eggs, 1 tablespoon ginger, 1&1/2 teaspoons spice, 2 level teaspoons bicarb. soda dissolved in the water (1 cup sultanas may be added if liked).

Method: Beat butter and sugar to a cream, add well-beaten eggs, then treacle, soda, and water, lastly sifted flour, ginger, and spice. Bake in a flat dish for 40 minutes at 350 deg. to begin, lowering to 320 deg.

Source: contributed by Mrs. V. A. Robinson (Mannararie) in The South Australian Country Women's Association Calendar of Cakes: A Cake a Day for 365 Days (Kent Town: S.A.C.WA.; 11th edition, 1973), 'June 8'.

Rainbow Sponge

4 eggs, pinch of salt, 3/4 cup castor sugar, 1 cup plain flour, 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar, 1/4 teaspoon carb. soda, 3 tablespoons milk, 1 teaspoon butter, 1 scant, dessertspoon cocoa blended with one extra tablespoon warmed milk, cochineal, 3 tablespoons mock cream, warm icing, grated chocolate to decorate.

Method: Separate whites from yolks of eggs, beat whites stiffly with salt. Gradually add sugar and continue beating until all sugar is dissolved. Add egg-yolks. Fold in sifted flour, cream of tartar, and soda. Lastly, fold in hot milk and melted butter. Grease 3 sandwich tins (7 ins.). Pour one-third of mixture in one tin. Colour remainder pink and pour half into second tin. Fold blended cocoa into balance and pour into third tin. Bake 20 to 25 minutes in moderate oven. Join together with mock cream. Ice top with pink icing and decorate with chocolate.

Source: contributed by Mrs. T. C. Stott (Plympton) in The South Australian Country Women's Association Calendar of Cakes: A Cake a Day for 365 Days (Kent Town: S.A.C.WA.; 11th edition, 1973), 'Feb. 27'.

Christmas Club Sandwich

3 slices thin buttered toast, crusts removed
2 tablespoons cream cheese
1 tomato sliced
1 cucumber sliced
3 rashers bacon, crisply fried
large lettuce leaves, washed & dried
slices of chicken or turkey with stuffing or relish

Method: Start with 1 slice of toast, spread with half cream cheese & follow with tomato & cucumber slices. Add rasher of bacon & lettuce. Another piece of toast spread with cream cheese, then thin slices of turkey or chicken with stuffing. Top with tomato, cucumber & lettuce & last piece of toast. Accompany with cranberry sauce or pickles.

Source: American River C.W.A. Recipes for Christmas and Special Occasions (1998), p.100.

Pineapple Glazed Ham

1 x 4kg half-leg of ham
whole cloves
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 x 450g cans pineapple thins
fresh herbs to garnish

Method: Remove rind by cutting through the rind to within 15cm of the shank of the leg in a zigzag pattern. Remove by running thumb around edge of rind just under skin. Start pulling the rind from the widest edge of the ham, using fingers to loosen it from the fat. Cut across fat in a large diamond pattern, not deeply, or the fat with spread apart during cooking.

Place ham in a baking dish. Insert cloves into fat. Press sugar firmly over top. Arrange undrained pineapple slices around ham.

Cook in a moderate oven, 180C, for about 45 minutes. Garnish ham with pineapple slices and fresh herbs. Serve ham warm, cut into slices dipped in pan juices.

Source: American River C.W.A. Recipes for Christmas and Special Occasions (1998), p.25.

Pineapple Christmas Cake

1 cup butter, 1 cup pineapple juice, 1&1/2 cups each of currants, sultanas, chopped tinned pineapple, and brown sugar, 1 cup raisins, 1 cup chopped nuts, 1/2 cup mixed peel, 1 small teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 2 teaspoons allspice, 1 teaspoon ground cloves, 4 eggs, 3 cups S.R. flour.

Mix butter, sugar, and egg-yolks till creamy. Sift 2 cups of the flour, spices, and salt, and add alternately with the pineapple juice. Then add fruit and nuts previously mixed with the remaining cup of flour. Fold in stiffly-beaten egg-whites. Put into prepared tins and bake in a slow oven for about 3 hours.

Source: contributed by Mrs. A. Bradley (Cungena) in The South Australian Country Women's Association Calendar of Cakes: A Cake a Day for 365 Days (Kent Town: S.A.C.WA.; 11th edition, 1973), n.p. "NOV. 29".

Savoury Tuna Pie

Equipment Needed:
Sharp knife
Measuring cup
23 cm Pie plate
Saucepan
Can opener
Kettle
Grater
Mixing bowl

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:
1 packet Chicken Noodle soup
1&1/2cups boiling Water
2 cups Breadcrumbs (soft)
1 teaspoon chopped Onion
1 tablespoon chopped Gherkins
1 hard-boiled Egg (chopped)
1 tin Tuna 225 gram (drained and flaked)

Method: Cook soup in 1&1/2 cups boiling water for 7 minutes and cool. Mix other ingredients, add soup, press into pie plate. Bake at 180C for approximately 20 minutes. Grate cheese on top and bake a further 5 minutes. Can be eaten hot or cold.

Source: Quick and Easy Savouries (Kent Town: The South Australian Country Women's Association Incorporated, n.d. [2000s], n.p.)

Tuna and Asparagus Mornay

Equipment Needed
Saucepan to cook rice
Casserole dish
Can opener

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients
1 large tin Tuna in brine
1 cup cooked Rice
1/2 cup grated Cheese
1 small tin Evaporated Milk (1/2 cup)
1 Onion chopped
1 tin Cream of Asparagus Soup
1 small tin Sweet Corn Kernels
Crushed Cornflakes
Small amount of Butter

Method: Place the cooked rice in a casserole dish[.] Mix all other ingredients[,] pour over rice and sprinkle with crushed cornflakes and dobs of butter. Bake 20 minutes in oven at 180C.

Source: Quick and Easy Savouries (Kent Town: The South Australian Country Women's Association Incorporated, n.d. [2000s]), n.p.

Colonial 'Goose'

1 leg lamb

1 onion

2 cups breadcrumbs

1 egg

1 apple

salt

pepper

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

2 teaspoons butter

1 tablespoon dried mixed herbs

Method: Carefully remove the bone from the meat by cutting around it so you have a hole through the centre of the leg. (Be smart and see if you can get the butcher to do it!). Beat the egg lightly in a small bowl. Chop the onion finely. Stir the herbs, nutmeg, salt and pepper and onion into the breadcrumbs. Grate the apple. Melt the butter in cup in the microwave. Add butter, egg and apple into the breadcrumb mix and form into a soft dough. Fill the centre hole of the leg with the stuffing and close the ends with a skewer. Insert 'goose' into a roasting bag and place in a roasting dish. Cook half an hour for every 500 grams and add 20 minutes. Oven at 180C.

Remove from oven and allow to 'rest' 5 minutes before carving. 

Serve with vegetables, gravy and mint sauce or crab apple jelly. 

Leftovers are a tasty cold serve, next day.

For a warming winter soup, boil the bone in water or stock with diced soup vegetables, diced apple, salt and pepper. Add pearl barley or rice if liked.

Source: contributed by Rosalie Smith (Maitland) in An Apple a Day. Members Recipes. (Adelaide: The South Australian Country Women's Association Inc., 2018). p.15.

Cranberry and Apple Chutney

500 gm Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, chopped

2 cm piece root ginger, peeled, grated finely

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 small onion, chopped fine

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1/2 cup cranberry juice

1/2 cup water

150 gms craisins/dried cranberries

Method: Heat oil in saucepan. Add onion and ginger. Cook 5-6 minutes stirring occasionally until onion is clear. Add apple, spice, cranberry juice and half the craisins/dried cranberries. Cook at medium heat, covered, 10-15 minutes until apple is soft. Add remaining craisins/dried cranberries. Cook covered for a further 5-10 minutes or until mixture thickens. Spoon into a clean jar and seal. Serve with roast pork, chicken or turkey, or in a ham, chicken or turkey sandwich.

Source: contributed by Rosalie Smith (Maitland) in An Apple a Day. Members Recipes. (Adelaide: The South Australian Country Women's Association Inc., 2018). p.79.

Mince and Tomato Scrapple

Equipment Needed:

Sharp knife

Measuring cup

Can opener

Saucepan

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

500g Minced Beef

1 tablespoon Oil

1 large can Tomato Soup

1/2 cup Water

2 Carrots (grated)

1/2 cup grated Tasty Cheese

3 cups left over cooked Pasta or Spaghetti

Method: Brown mince in hot oil. Add soup, water, onions, carrots and pasta. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve sprinkled with cheese accompanied by crusty bread and salad.

Source: Quick and Easy Savouries (Kent Town: The South Australian Country Women's Association Incorporated, n.d. [2000s]), n.p.

Chunky Style Casserole

Equipment Needed:

Sharp knife

Large Saucepan or Stockpot

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

1 large Leek (sliced)

3 large slices Virginia Ham (diced)

2&1/2 cups Celery (cut into chunky pieces)

4 cups Brussels Sprouts

4 cups Carrots (cut into chunky pieces)

2 cups Parsnips (cut into chunky pieces)

1 dessertspoon Chicken Stock Powder

Method: Place all ingredients in a large saucepan or stock pot and add enough water to cover ingredients. Bring to the boil and boil for 5 minutes. Then add Brussels Sprouts and boil for a further 7 minutes. (Cabbage cut into squares can be substituted for the Brussels Sprouts). This is a tasty dish, easily prepared - a large quantity of which the left overs may be frozen and re-heated when the occasion arises. This dish could probably have the ingredients halved and still be plenty.

Source: Quick and Easy Savouries (Kent Town: The South Australian Country Women's Association Incorporated, n.d. [2000s]), n.p.

Asparagus Mornay

Equipment Needed:

Sharp knife

Measuring Cup

Can opener

Saucepan

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

1 medium Onion (diced)

2 tablespoons Butter / Margarine

1 tin Asparagus (including liquid)

1 tin Cream of Chicken Soup (condensed)

1 cup Milk

4 slices Ham

1 cup Chicken (cooked and cubed)

2 tablespoons Plain Flour

3 sliced boiled Eggs

1/2 cup Cream

Method: Place ingredients in a saucepan and bring to boil. Thicken with plain flour made into a paste with a small quantity of milk. When thick, add eggs and cream. Can be served hot or cold.

Source: Quick and Easy Savouries (Kent Town: The South Australian Country Women's Association Incorporated, n.d. [2000s]), n.p.

Curry Rice Mornay

Equipment needed:

Can opener

Saucepan

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

1 packet Curry Rice-O-Riso

500 grams Mince meat

425g can Tomato Soup

1 can Water

1 small packet frozen Mixed Vegetables

Method: Cook Rice-O-Riso with mince meat added. Then add tomato soup and water. Add frozen vegetables. Cook for a further 10 minutes.

Source: Quick and Easy Savouries (Kent Town: The South Australian Country Women's Association Incorporated, n.d. [2000s]), n.p.

Spring Scramble

Equipment Needed:

Sharp knife

Saucepan

Beater

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Serves 2

Ingredients:

3 Eggs

1/2 cup Milk

1/2 cup cooked Ham (diced)

2 teaspoons Margarine

1 packet Continental Spring Vegetable Soup

Method: Beat eggs, milk and soup mix together. Add ham. Melt margarine in saucepan, add egg mixture and stir over a low heat until thick and creamy. Serve with toast.

Source: Quick and Easy Savouries (Kent Town: The South Australian Country Women's Association Incorporated, n.d. [2000s]), n.p.

Condensed Milk Dip

Equipment Needed:

Mixing bowl

Serving dish

Ingredients:

1 can Condensed Milk

1 dessertspoon Mustard

1 small chopped Onion

Chopped Gherkins (from a jar)

Method: Mix all ingredients together well. Serve with dry biscuits. Will keep for weeks in airtight container in refrigerator.

Source: Quick and Easy Savouries (Kent Town: The South Australian Country Women's Association Incorporated, n.d. [2000s]), n.p.

Instant Salmon Pie

Equipment Needed:

Mixing bowl

Grater

Cup

Beater

23 cm Tart plate

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 35 minutes

Serves 6

Ingredients:

125 grams (1/2 packet) Cheese Jatz biscuits (roughly crushed)

3 Eggs (lightly beaten)

1/2 cup Milk

1/2 cup Plain Flour

1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder

60 grams Butter (melted)

1/2 cup grated tasty Cheese

285 gram can Salmon, well drained and flaked

Handful fresh Dill, roughly chopped

Method:

Heat oven to 210°C. Place crushed biscuits in the base of the tart plate. Place milk, flour, eggs and baking powder in the bowl and mix until well combined. Add cheese, salmon, dill and melted butter and thoroughly mix. Pour over the crushed biscuits in the tart plate and cook in the oven for 35 minutes until puffed and golden brown.

Source: Quick and Easy Savouries (Kent Town: The South Australian Country Women's Association Incorporated, n.d. [2000s]), n.p.