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.

Avocado Supreme

2 large avocados
1 cup chicken stock (made from 2 chicken cubes)
1 teaspoon finely chopped onion
Salt and pepper
Juice from half a lemon

Method: Take enough avocado to make one cup. Combine all other ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Chill in covered bowl until ready to serve. Just before serving chop remaining avocado, dip in lemon juice and add to soup. Dust with paprika or dill as desired.

Source: contributed by Mrs. Russell Ellis (A.C.H. Springfield/Netherby Auxiliary) in The Adelaide Children's Hospital Recipe Book 1978 (Port Adelaide: Messenger Press, 1978), p.6.

Creamed Chicken Spiced Soup

1 cup raw potatoes
1/2 cup finely chopped onions
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 diced banana
1&1/2 cups chicken stock or 1 pkt. cream of chicken soup or tin cream of chicken soup
1 cup diced peeled apples
1/2 teaspoon curry
1/2 cup diced celery

Method: Boil until tender and beat well. Add 1 cup cream and 1 tablespoon butter. Serve with nutmeg sprinkled on top. Also very nice chilled and served with chopped chives or nutmeg.

Source: contributed by Lorna Johns (Earl of Chester Lodge, No. 98) in The Grand Lodge of Antient, Free and Accepted Masons of South Australia presents Favourite Recipes submitted by wives of South Australian Freemasons (Adelaide, 1979), p.9.

Pumpkin & Corn (in Microwave)

pumpkin (about 1 kg) peeled, diced
60 gm butter
440 gm can creamed corn
1/2 cup cream
2 onions, chopped
3&1/2 cups chicken stock
3 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbps chopped chives

Method: Combine pumpkin, onions and butter in large bowl, cover and cook on HIGH for 3 minutes. Add chicken stock, cover and cook on HIGH for 25 minutes. Puree in blender or processor, stir in corn, Worcestershire sauce and cream, reheat, sprinkle with chives. Serves 6.

Source: contributed by Steph Ball in A Collection of Favourite Recipes - The Point Turton Progress Association ("All proceeds from the sale of this book will go toward improvements to the Point Turton Playground"). (n.p., 1995), p.5.

Sponge Lumps for Soup

One egg and 1 tablespoon water; beat well together, add enough S.R. flour and a little grated nutmeg to make the mixture as stiff as dumpling dough. With a teaspoon drop little lumps into soup and boil 10 minutes.

Source: contributed by Mrs. J. Obst 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.8.

Chicken and Cheese Soup

An excellent mornay base, using less water in soup mix.

1 packet Continental chicken soup
1 cup grated carrot
1 cup finely sliced celery
3 Tbspn butter
1 onion, finely chopped
3 Tbspn plain flour
4 oz Kraft cheese grated

Method: Make up 1 packet of continental chicken soup as per directions, adding 1 cup grated carrot and 1 cup finely chopped celery. In another saucepan melt 3 Tbspn butter and fry 1 finely chopped onion until transparent. Add 3 Tbspn plain flour and stir well. Gradually add 500 ml. milk, add 4 oz grated Kraft cheese. Mix together with prepared soup. Serves approx. 8-10. Kept in the fridge a few days before using improves flavour.

Source: contributed by Margaret Dixon in Kelly's Cook Book. A New Collection of Favourite Recipes published by 'The Golden Girls' Port Lincoln Uniting Church 1997 (Adelaide: Queens Court Press, 1997), p.6.

Soup to Eat with a Fork

2 onions
3 Tbspn oil
1 small tin Sauerkraut (or shredded cabbage)
3&1/2 pints stock
4 frankfurts
2 Tbspn plain flour
1 carton sour cream
1 clove garlic crushed
12 oz stewing beef
1/2 tspn salt
4 oz bacon sliced
1 Tbspn paprika
4 Tbspn water

Method: Peel and slice onions and crush garlic. Heat oil in large saucepan, add onions and garlic and fry over moderate heat until golden. Cut beef into small cubes, add to pan and brown all over. Add drained Sauerkraut and salt to pan. Cover with the stock and simmer gently for 1 hour or until meat is tender.

Derind and roughly chop bacon, fry bacon in oil in frying pan until crisp, then add sliced frankfurts and paprika. Cook 5 mins then add to saucepan. Blend flour with cold water in bowl until smooth and then stir into soup mixture and cook further 5 mins. Stir in sour cream, adjust the seasoning and serve at once with French sticks or garlic bread.

Source: contributed by Gloria Wajwoda in Kelly's Cook Book. A New Collection of Favourite Recipes published by 'The Golden Girls' Port Lincoln Uniting Church 1997 (Adelaide: Queens Court Press, 1997), p.7.

Quick'n'Easy Chilled Avocado [Soup]

1/2 cup lemon or lime juice
3 large Avocados
3 cans cream of celery soup
Dry sherry & nutmeg to taste

Puree peeled Avocados, gradually blend in canned undiluted soup. Process until smooth. Season to taste with citrus juice, sherry, freshly ground black pepper & nutmeg. Chill. An avocado stone placed in the soup will stop it discolouring so you can make it ahead of time.

Source: American River C.W.A. Recipes for Christmas and Special Occasions (1998), p.13.

Salmon Soup

1 onion, finely chopped
1&1/2 teaspoons curry powder
15g butter
2 x 440g cans pea and ham soup
3 cups water
180g salmon in brine
2/3 cup thickened cream

Method: Sauté onion and curry powder in butter, add soup and water, stir until mixture reaches boiling, stir in drained salmon, serve with a spoonful of whipped cream in each bowl.

Source: Royal Adelaide Hospital Community Children's Centre (RAHCCC) Cookbook, 2nd edition (Adelaide, 2008), p.14.

Chicken and Asparagus

Prepare 1 pkt. Continental brand Chicken Noodle Soup with only 3&1/2 cups water. Empty in contents small can asparagus cuts, 1/2 cup frozen peas and cook 5 minutes.

Source: Cooking for Two. Compiled by Women's Auxiliary of the S.A. Council on the Ageing for Adelaide's Second Senior Citizens' Week, April, 1969 (Adelaide [Allied Publishing Company), 1969), p.22. ['Quick Meals from Packets or Tins (Not so economical -- but hasty and tasty!)]

Simple Tomato Soup

Onion, bacon, tin tomato soup.

Method: Fry chopped onion and bacon pieces in pan until cooked. Drain and add to tin of tomato soup mixed with water.

Source: contributed by Chris Hough in Angaston Kindergarten Jubilee Cookery Book 1955-1985. 1986 edition (Angaston, 1986), p.10.

Persian Quince Soup

2 quinces, peeled, seeded and cubed
300g stewing lamb (corned works well)
2 onions, finely chopped
60g butter
Cinnamon stick or 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
60g soaked chick peas (optional)
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
Juice 1 large lemon
Sugar to taste

Method: Place lamb, onion, chick peas, water to cover, salt and pepper to taste in a pan. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer for 1&1/2 hours, skimming occasionally.

Melt butter, add quinces and fry for 10 minutes, add turmeric and cinnamon, fry 1 minute more, add to soup, simmer a further 40 minutes, until quinces and peas are tender. Taste and adjust seasonings, with lemon juice and sugar.

Serve hot, serves 4-6

Source: contributed by Marion Chambers in Penneshaw Area School: Culinary Creations (Penneshaw Area School Welfare Club, Kangaroo Island: 1998), p.13.

Creamy Almond Soup

5 hard boiled eggs
1 litre chicken stock
2 tablespoons snipped chives
2 tablespoons flaked toasted almonds
200g blanched almonds
2 x 300ml thickened cream
2 tablespoons sherry

Method: Peel eggs and separate yolks from the whites. Place the egg yolks and blanched almonds in a food processor and process until they form a smooth paste. Slice the egg whites into thin strips and set aside. Heat the stock in a large saucepan, add cream then stir in egg yolk and almond paste. Stirring, bring to the boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Season. Stir in the sherry and serve hot, garnished with flaked toasted almonds and snipped chives.

Serves 4.

Source: contributed by C. Nottage in Penneshaw Area School: Culinary Creations (Penneshaw Area School Welfare Club, Kangaroo Island: 1998), p.9.

Tomato & Celery Soup

1 can Cream of Celery Soup
1 can Tomato Soup
1&1/2 cans of water

Method: Blend all ingredients together. Heat. Garnish with a dob of whipped cream or sour cream when serving.

Source: The Parson Knows: Easy Dinner Party Recipes (The Parish of St. Stephen, Glenunga; n.d.), p.36 ['Winter Menu']

Parsley Soup

Potatoes - about 6 ozs. per person.
Butter or margarine - about 1 oz. for 3 persons.
Parsley.
Milk - 1 pint to 3 persons.
Salt and pepper.

Method: Peel and boil the potatoes in about a cup of salted water: don't over-salt the water. When cooked, put them through a sieve. Add the butter or margarine, milk and the chopped parsley. Use a good-sized bunch of parsley for 6-8 serves. Simmer for 5-10 minutes. Use very little pepper or it will overshadow the parsley.

Source: contributed by E. F. Millhouse 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.7.

Mock Turtle Soup

5 lb. veal bone.
1 carrot.
1 onion.
1 leek.
1 clove garlic.
1/2 cup flour.
1/2 cup white table wine.
2 hard-boiled eggs.
10 oz. puree of tomato.
2 quarts stock or water.
1 cup sherry.
Thyme.
Pepper and salt.
Lemon.
Bay leaf.
Parsley.

Method: Braise the veal bone slowly. Dice and add carrot, onion, leek, then garlic, thyme, bay leaf, parsley and flour. Let simmer a few minutes and add white wine, puree of tomato and the stock or water. Cook for 2 hours, then strain, add cayenne pepper, salt and sherry. Garnish with 2 hard-boiled eggs and slice of lemon. Serve piping hot.

Source: contributed by Mrs. A. I. Sach 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.9.

A Dinner Cooked with Claret

Soup: To give your pea soup a lift, add 1 soup spoon of claret per person when serving.

Beef Steak Special: This is particularly good with gravy beef. Cut beef in 3/4 inch slices and lay in oven-proof dish; slice onion or leeks over the top and pour over enough claret to just cover. Put in refrigerator for 24 hours. Drain beef and coat well with seasoned flour and return to claret in dish with onions. Add any other vegetables in season, e.g. peppers, tomatoes, and celery. Cook slowly in oven for approx. 4 hours. Cheap and wholesome.

Spiced Pears: Heat a pint of claret in a saucepan and then put in 3 or 4 peeled (but not cored) pears, together with 1/2 cup sugar, a little nutmeg, and stick cinnamon, and 1 clove. Cook slowly and serve with fruit together with the liquor, hot or cold, with cream.

Source: contributed by Mrs. Alan Archer 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.25.

"Kiddley" Broth

Bread cut into squares, a few marigold heads, a few stalks of shallots chopped fine, lump of butter, salt and pepper. Put all in a basin, pour boiling water over and eat as soon as possible.

Source: Australia's Little Cornwall. Cornish Cook Book (Moonta, S.A.: National Trust of South Australia Moonta Branch, n.d. [post-1998]), p.6.

Snow Soup

2 white onions

1 large Granny Smith apple

2 stalks celery

2 medium size potatoes

4 cups chicken stock

1 tspn sugar

1 tspn curry powder

1 tspn salt

1 cup cream

chives to garnish

Method: Chop all vegetables. Place in saucepan with stock and seasoning. Cook until tender, then blend or put through a sieve until mixture is smooth. Chill. Add cream to soup and garnish with chives.

Source: contributed by Yvonne Martin in The Embroiderers' Recipe Book. Compiled by members of The Embroiderers' Guild of South Australia Incorporated ([Adelaide], n.d.), p.6.

White Vegetable Soup

1 pint of stock

1 pint of milk

1 table-spoon of flour

1/2 carrot

1/2 turnip

1/2 a leak [sic] or a small onion

Butter

Grated cheese

Method: Mince or dice the vegetables, simmer in the stock. When the vegetables are tender, add the milk, in which the flour has been mixed smoothly. Stir till it thickens. Just before serving add butter, chopped parsley, and a little grated cheese.

Source: A Cooks' Tour of Recipes. Published for the Adelaide University S.R.C. [Students' Representative Council]. (Adelaide: Commercial Publications of South Australia, 1955), p.16.