Humble Stomach Soup

As you prepare meals, wash all sound scraps of vegetables (skin and tops of carrots, ribs and stems of green peppers, etc.), place in plastic bag, close with rubber band, and pop in freezer. Do the same with meat trimmings and bones. When both bags are full, boil up a saucepan of water, add a teaspoon of salt and one of vinegar, put in meat scraps and bones, boil rapidly for 20 minutes, remove from heat, and allow to cool. Reheat, strain, cool, remove fat, bring back to boil, add vegetable scraps, and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain. You now have the base of any one of the "Humble Stomach" soups my family enjoy, and it really hasn't cost you anything. Don't forget to add scraps of left-over salads to the vegetable bag - lettuce in particular gives a lift to soup flavour.

Source: contributed by Mrs. A. V. Eszenyi, Clarence Park, S.A. in Cook-Along with the Autistic Children's Association of South Australia Inc. (Adelaide: Allied Publishing Co., n.d. [1971-1972]), p.5.

Mincemeat Puftaloons

4 tbspn SR flour, 1/2 cup warm water, 1/4 tspn salt, 1 egg, 1 cup minced cooked meat, 1 small onion chopped, parsley.

Method: Sift flour and salt, mix in beaten egg yolk and warm water. Fold in stiff egg white, add meat, onion and parsley. Drop in hot fat and cook 3-5 mins. Serve with hot veges.

Source: Centenary Cook Book 1878-1978 by St. Paul's Lutheran Women, Yorketown (Yorketown, [1978]), p.7 ['Potpourri' insert].

A Nice Way of Using Cold Potatoes

Make a sauce of a tablespoon of gravy, a spoonful of grated cheese, an ounce of butter, the well-beaten yolk of an egg, pepper, salt, nutmeg, and the juice of a lemon to taste. Stir all these over a slow fire -- till nearly boiling -- not quite -- and the sauce is thick. Then put a layer of potatoes in a buttered pie dish, cover with the sauce, then another layer of potatoes, and so on till the dish is full. Cover with grated cheese and breadcrumbs mixed, bake for half an hour, and serve hot.

Source: The Liberals' Cookery Book being Good and Tried Recipes contributed by Ladies from all parts of South Australia, edited by Racey Schlank (Adelaide: Shipping Newspapers Limited [for the Adelaide Women's Branch of the Liberals' Union], 1912), p.47.

Asparagus Casserole

2 tins asparagus cuts (440 grams)
1 tin mushrooms (440 grams)
250 grams grated cheddar cheese
2 Tablespoons butter
2 eggs
2 Tablespoons flour
1/2 cup cream
Salt and pepper

Method: Drain mushrooms and asparagus and warm in butter. Whip cream, eggs and flour until foamy. Layer 1/3 of the cheese on bottom of pan add 1/2 of the asparagus and mushrooms. Repeat layer ending with cheese. Pour cream mixture over all. Bake 30-45 minutes at 350 degrees [F]. 1-2 cups of leftover chicken or ham may be layered in for a main dish.

Source: Teas and Trading Tables. Recipes compiled by members of St. Peter's College Mission Guild (n.d. [post-1979], n.p. [Adelaide]), p. 46-7.

Birds' Nests

Six hard-boiled eggs, 1 cup of cold minced meat, a few herbs, salt and pepper to taste, a little gravy mixed with meat, 1 egg (beaten).

Method: Roll the boiled eggs in the minced meat, then in egg, then in bread crumbs. Fry in dripping, cut in halves, decorate them nicely on a warm plate, serve at once.

Source: contributed by Mrs. T. Hanisch in The Barossa Cookery Book: 1000 Selected Recipes from a District Celebrated Throughout Australia for the Excellence of its Cookery. Every Recipe of Proved Merit and Signed as such by the Donors (33rd edition, 2006), p.15.

Pancake Cutlets

Mince some cold chicken and cooked ham, about 1/2 lb. in all. Mix with 1/4 cup gravy, a little tomato sauce, pepper and salt. Make a batter of 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup milk and 1 egg. Beat until smooth. Heat some lard or good dripping in a frying pan, pour in the batter and cook on both sides. Turn out, cool a little, then spread mince over pancake, roll up neatly, cut into 1/2 inch slices, dredge with flour, roll in egg and breadcrumbs and fry in boiling fat.

Source: contributed by Mrs. Alb. Keil in The Barossa Cookery Book: 1000 Selected Recipes from a District Celebrated Throughout Australia for the Excellence of its Cookery. Every Recipe of Proved Merit and Signed as such by the Donors (33rd edition, 2006), p.24.

Curry Rissoles

1/2lb Cooked Meat (minced)
1 level tablespoon Curry Powder
1 dessertspoon chutney
1 Egg
Squeeze of Lemon Juice and browned Breadcrumbs

Method: Mix chutney, lemon juice and curry powder with the mince. Season and bind with beaten egg. Take small portions[,] form into shapes on a floured board, coat with egg and breadcrumbs. Deep fry and drain.

Source: Royal Adelaide Hospital Research Fund Recipe Book (Kurralta Park: Colour Printing House Pty. Ltd., c.1985), p.9.

Entree

4 oranges, peeled and chopped into pieces, place in bowl. Sprinkle freely with pepper and malt vinegar. Chill in fridge. Place in lettuce leaves and garnish with chopped meat.

Source: Royal Adelaide Hospital Research Fund Recipe Book (Kurralta Park, Adelaide: Colour Printing House Pty. Ltd., c.1985), p.9.

Crunchy Ham Logs

185g Ham Pieces
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon horseradish
2 tablespoons finely chopped gherkin
125g cream cheese
1 tablespoon grated onion
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
salt & pepper
1 cup finely chopped toasted almonds

Method: Combined chopped ham, cream cheese, lemon juice, onion, horseradish, parsley, gherkin, salt & pepper. Chill well. Form into 2 logs. Coat with almonds, refrigerate. Serve with crackers or on a cheese platter.

Source: American River C.W.A. Recipes for Christmas and Special Occasions (1998), p.4.

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'.

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.

Chicken Veal Mornay

1 pkt. Continental chicken noodle soup
1&1/2 cups water
1 oz. copha
3 level tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
1/2 cup grated cheese
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1&1/2 cups diced cooked veal
1 cup buttered breadcrumbs
Extra grated cheese

Method: Cook soup in water for 7 minutes. Melt copha and mix in flour. Add milk and the soup. Stir until boiling. Mix in grated cheese, parsley, diced cooked veal. Place in ovenproof dish and sprinkle with grated cheese and buttered breadcrumbs. Brown in moderate oven.

Source: contributed by Mrs. A. R. K. Stalley in The Possum Cookery Book in Aid of Miss Minda - Telethon (Brighton: Minda Home Auxiliary, n.d. [1960s - post 1963]), p.22.

Colours of Christmas Stir-Fry

2 tablespoons oil

2.5cm piece fresh ginger, peeled & grated

1 clove crushed garlic

1 red chilli, de-seeded & chopped

1 red pepper, de-seeded & cut into strips

175g young turnips, trimmed & cut into wedges

350g broccoli flowerettes & strips of stalks

250g cooked sausages, sliced

6 tablespoons turkey or chicken stock

2 tablespoons sherry

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 level teaspoon brown sugar

350g cooked potatoes, cut into chunks

6 spring onions, trimmed & chopped

salt & pepper to taste

Heat oil in a large pan & fry ginger, garlic & chilli over a medium heat for one minute - but do not burn. Add pepper strips, turnips, broccoli stalks & stir-fry for 5-6 minutes. Add slices of sausage, broccoli flowerettes, stock, sherry, soy sauce & sugar. Simmer for 3 minutes. Finally stir in potato, spring onion & cook until heated through. Season well. Serve immediately.

Source: American River C.W.A. Recipes for Christmas and Special Occasions (1998), p.99.

Breakfast relish balls

Mince any cold meat (mutton, beef or ham)

2 oz breadcrumbs

1/4 tsp lemon peel

salt and pepper to taste

1 egg

parsley and/or chives or dill.

pinch nutmeg or other spices of your choice

Method: Combine meat, lemon peel and spices and then shape into balls and dip into beaten egg and roll in breadcrumbs and fry in hot fat/oil. Garnish with herbs and lemon slices.

Source: Elizabeth Woolcock's Cottage Recipes - compiled and edited by Ani Peters (?Adelaide, S.A, 2016), p.13

[Note: this souvenir recipe book, bought in October 2021 at the Moonta Mines Museum, has little relevance to the short, brutalized life of Elizabeth Woolcock (the only woman hanged in South Australia).]

Potato & Ham Cake

This dish is ideal to make when ham on the bone is coming to an end.

1kg Potatoes

25g butter or margarine

1 small onion or shallot

250g cooked ham 

milk

pepper & salt to taste

dried bread crumbs

Method: Mince or cut ham very finely. Slice potatoes very thin. Saute the onion in the butter until golden in colour. In an oven-proof dish, layer potato & ham, adding pepper & salt to taste (beginning & ending with a potato layer).

Pour the milk over the layers, finishing by sprinkling the breadcrumbs on top. Drizzle the butter used for frying onions over breadcrumbs. Bake in medium hot oven until crust is golden brown & potatoes tender.

Source: 'Christmas Leftovers' in American River C.W.A. Recipes for Christmas and Special Occasions (1998), p.95.

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.

Surprise Pies

Filling:

150ml chicken stock

23g plain flour, 23g margarine

180g diced cooked chicken

2-3 tablespoons mixed vegetables

salt & pepper

2 hard boiled eggs

milk

Pastry:

240g plain flour

salt

60g margarine

60g lard

cold water to mix

Method: Make a thick sauce using flour, margarine & stock. Add chicken, vegetables & seasonings. Make a basic shortcrust pastry. Line 4-6 individual pie pans. Place half an egg in each. Divide chicken filling evenly between them. Top with pastry lid. Seal well. Make a steam hole in each. Brush with milk. Bake at 200°C for 30 minutes.

Source: American River C.W.A. Recipes for Christmas and Special Occasions (American River C.W.A, 1998), p.36.

In the past weeks, Kangaroo Island and parts of the Adelaide Hills have sustained terrible damage from catastrophic bushfires. How to help:

* KI Mayoral Relief and Recovery Bushfire Fund

* SA State Emergency Relief Fund - Cudlee Creek Fire Appeal

* South Australian Veterinary Emergency Management (SAVEM) Inc.

Cream of Turkey or Chicken Soup

3 sets chicken giblets or 2 sets turkey giblets, 1 piece chopped ham, 1 medium sliced onion, 1 stick celery, 1 dsp flour, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 oz butter, 1 dsp lemon juice, pepper, salt, nutmeg to taste.

Method: Prepare giblets. Melt butter in saucepan, add giblets and cook for a few minutes without browning. Pour in 4 pints water and bring slowly to the boil. Skim, add onion, celery, ham, salt, pepper, nutmeg and lemon juice. Simmer with lid on saucepan until tender - about 2 hours. Strain into a basin. Return to saucepan, add blended flour, boil for 3 mins. Add milk, adjust seasoning. Reheat carefully without boiling. Add a little chopped parsley, if desired.

Source: contributed by M. Catford in Booleroo Centre Primary School 1885-1985 Centenary Recipe Book (Revised edition 1985 of 1970 edition), p.15.

Mexican Eggs

Melt: 2 tbspns butter, fry chopped-up meat (approx. 1 lb) until brown, add chopped-up onions, add skinned tomatoes or 1 can tomatoes, add 4 oz grated cheese & 6 beaten eggs. Simmer gently. Serve with toast.

Source: [Two Hundred] Well Tried Barossa Recipes: St John's Lutheran Ladies Guild, Tanunda (New Edition, March 1975 [1st = October 1974], p.3.

Brown Bread Soup

(A good way to use up stale brown bread which has been dried & stored in a paper bag). Take 2 medium slices of any brown bread, put in saucepan, cover well with water, & let boil gently (with lid half on, lest it boil over) about 10-15 mins. Force through a colander, and add enough water for right thickness. Add 1 tspn vegemite or bonox, 1 soup cube, 1 tspn butter, & 1 tspn tomato sauce. Re-heat & bring to a boil. Keep stirring until all ingredients are dissolved and the soup is ready for serving.

Source: [Two Hundred] Well Tried Barossa Recipes: St John's Lutheran Ladies Guild, Tanunda (New Edition, March 1975 [1st = October 1974], p.7.