Maori Kisses

1/4 lb butter, 6 tbspn sugar, cream with 3 tbspn boiling water. Mix in 3/4 cup dates, 3/4 cup walnuts, 1&1/2 cups SR Flour, 1&1/2 tbspn cocoa. Drop tspn full on slide and bake in moderate oven.

Source: contributed by Frieda Eckermann in Blyth Recipe Book: Favourite Tested Recipes of the Blyth Trinity Lutheran Ladies Guild (Blyth Womens Guild, 1972), p.44.

Home Made New Zealand Chocolate

1 lb copha, 2 cups full cream powdered milk, vanilla or lemon essence, 2 heaped cups icing sugar, 6 Tbls cocoa, pinch salt.

Method: Melt copha over hot water. Add sifted dry ingredients, then essence. Beat 10 mins. Pour into buttered tin. Cut into squares when cold. To vary flavour, add mixed fruit, ginger, raisins, nuts or coconut.

Source: contributed by E. Corkin in Booleroo Centre Primary School 1885-1985 Centenary Recipe Book (Revised edition 1985 of 1970 edition, p.118.

Australian Fondue

1 small loaf firm white bread

2 tablesp. cornflour

3 tablesp. Mildara brandy

12 oz. New Zealand Danbo cheese

4 oz. cheese (Red Malling - Queensland)

8 oz. white wine (Riesling)

2 Granny Smith apples

Method: Cut bread into 1&1/4" cubes and place in a basket - also have ready a fork for each dunker. Cut all the cheese into 1/4" cubes and just before serving cut the apples into 1/4" cubes. Mix Brandy and cornflour to a smooth cream paste ready for use. Place cheese in a small saucepan with wine, and bring to gentle simmer until appearance is like a thin smooth soup. Pour in brandy and cornflour paste stirring constantly until it thickens. Pour into a serving dish over heater. It is important to keep stirring the fondue to prevent sticking. A suggestion is that each guest give a good stir on the bottom of the dish with his bread or apple cube.

Source: contributed by Mrs. R. E. Trehearne in Selected Recipes Compiled by Port Pirie Branch Royal District and Bush Nursing Society (Port Pirie: 1966), p.7.

Happy Australia Day. 

(New Zealand is, of course, not part of Australia.)