Cucumber Baskets

24 oysters
1 cucumber
white vinegar and water
salt
1/2 cup cream cheese
freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp chopped chives
1 tbsp chopped capsicum
1/2 cup sour cream

Method: Peel half of cucumber. Cut whole cucumber into 1" (2.5cms) rounds - some with skin on, some peeled. Scoop out seeds leaving a base and sides to form a basket. Soak 1 hour in a weak vinegar and water solution, sprinkled with salt. Drain and pat dry. Combine cheese, cream, pepper, lemon juice, chives, capsicum and chopped oysters. Fill each cucumber basket with oyster mixture and serve chilled.

Variation:
1. Add 1 tspn prepared mustard, 1 tspn parsley and 8-10 drops Tabasco sauce.

Source: contributed by Leon Stott (Archipelago Oysters, Denial Bay) in Sue Trewartha & Angie Bayly (compilers), The World's Your Oyster: A collection of oyster recipes and helpful hints (Ceduna: 1993), p.17.

Mum's Oyster Mornay

12-18 oysters
1 pkt chicken noodle soup
1 chopped onion
1 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
3 tbsp grated cheese
1&1/2-2 cups milk
1/2 tsp lemon pepper
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp chopped mint

Method: Melt butter and cook onion. Add chicken noodle soup and cook a few minutes. Mix in flour, 1 tbsp at a time and then add milk gradually. Stir in cheese, juice, pepper and oysters. Cook until thickened. Serve garnished with mint. Can also be served in vol-au-vent cases.

Variation:
1. Omit chicken noodle soup and add 10 drops Tabasco, pinch basil, celery salt, 1 tspn dry mustard, 2 tbsp cream and 1 cup cooked chopped carrot.

Source: Contributed by Norma Whitmarsh (Ceduna) in Sue Trewartha & Angie Bayly (compilers), The World's Your Oyster: A collection of oyster recipes and helpful hints (Ceduna: 1993), p.89.

Tofu Nut Balls

1 cup cooked brown rice
500g tofu
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup ground almonds
Tabasco sauce, to taste

Method: Thoroughly mix rice, wheat germ and Tabasco in blender. Add tofu, but do not over process. Form into balls and refrigerate to firm. Bake on lightly-greased tray for 30 minutes, at 180°C. Turn during cooking. Serve with green salad.

Source: Rumbles Cookbook: low fat, low cholesterol, low salt and high fibre recipes edited by Judy Read (Adelaide: Royal Adelaide Hospital Health Promotion Unit, n.d. [1980s]), p.27.

Mushroom Pate

2 onions
500g mushrooms, finely chopped
1 tsp PU-vegetable oil [polyunsaturated]
3 tsp curry powder
1 Tblsp mixed herbs
1/2 cup bran
1/4 cup wheat germ
6 drops Tabasco sauce

Method: Saute onions and mushrooms in oil for 20 minutes, stirring. Mix curry with herbs, bran and wheat germ and add to vegetables. Add Tabasco and mix well. Bake in oiled terrine at 200°C for 1 hour, covered. Serve with chopped raw vegetables and toasted wholemeal triangles.

Source: Rumbles Cookbook: low fat, low cholesterol, low salt and high fibre recipes edited by Judy Read (Adelaide: Royal Adelaide Hospital Health Promotion Unit, n.d. [1980s]), p.19.

Seafood Dip

1 pkt french onion soup

1&3/4 cups sour cream

3 drops Tabasco sauce

2 tspn tomato paste or sauce

1/2 - 1 cup any cooked seafood e.g. Prawns, Crabmeat

Method: Blend soup with sour cream and add other ingredients. Serve with potato chips or dry biscuits.

Source: Contributed by Rosalind (Rhody) Short (Coobowie, SA) in W.I.N. and Cook with S.A. Seafood: Women's Industry Network 'Working for the SA Seafood Industry' Seafood Recipe Book (Adelaide: c.1994-1997), p.15.

Ham and Corn Slice

1/2 cup SR flour, sifted

1/2 cup instant milk powder

4 eggs

30g melted butter

1/2 cup water

1 cup grated cheese

6 chopped shallots

125 chopped ham

310g can drained corn kernels

1/2 tspn. mixed herbs

salt to taste

tabasco sauce (drop)

1/4 cup chopped parsley

Method: Sift flour and milk together into a bowl. Combine eggs, butter and water. Pour into flour mixture and beat until smooth. Fold in remaining ingredients. Spoon into a shallow greased ovenproof dish and bake in a 180C oven about 25 mins. Serve sliced with salad. Serves 6.

Source: Mantle of Safety Cookbook 2 (The Port Augusta Women's Air Branch Auxillary of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, c1987), p.19.

Clam Delight

1 packet cream cheese

2 tspn lemon juice

1 tabspn grated onion

2 tspns Worcestershire sauce

3 drops Tabasco

1 can of clams (or smoked oysters)

chopped parsley

Method: Break up cheese. Add lemon juice, onion, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco and beat (or blend) until smooth. Stir in chopped clams and parsley. Serve with cracker biscuits.

Source: contributed by Jo Fuller in The Embroiderers' Recipe Book. Compiled by members of The Embroiderers' Guild of South Australia Incorporated ([Adelaide], n.d.), p.77.

Sauce Balzac

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1/3 cup tomato sauce

1/4 cup brandy

few drops tabasco sauce

pinch curry powder

Method: Combine all ingredients. Mix well. Ideal for seafood.

Source: Mantle of Safety Cookbook 2 (The Port Augusta Women's Air Branch Auxillary of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, c1987), p.37.

Cheese Log

8 oz Philly cream cheese

1/2 jar Kraft cream cheese

8-12 oz grated matured cheese

chives chopped

garlic crushed

almonds

sesame seeds

caraway seeds

tabasco sauce

freshly ground black pepper

Method: Cream philly cheese, add kraft cream cheese, mix in flavourings, then grated mature cheese, form into 4 portions, roll in chopped almonds and seeds mixed together. Chill until firm.

Source: contributed by J. Edwards in Lutheran Jubilee 150 Cook Book 1838-1988 Vol 2 by St. Paul's Congregation, Yorketown (1988), p.9.

Lobster or Seafood Bisque

1 can mushroom or oyster soup, 440 g

1 can tomato soup, 400 g

1 can lobster meat or seafood of your choice

1/2 can slivered champignons, 125 g

1 carton cream, 300 ml

2 cans water (more or less depending on guest numbers)

Tabasco to taste

Method: Open all cans all together, add water and stir until well blended. Add seafood then cream; Continue to stir but don't reboil. If necessary season to taste. A dash of sherry before serving is an added plus. This bisque can be refrigerated and re-heated without destroying the quality of the dish.

Source: contributed by K. Martin in Royal Adelaide Hospital Cookery Book: Our Favourite Recipes (Adelaide: 1981, 1st edition), p.4.

Ham Dip

125g cream cheese

1 can devilled ham

1 tspn mustard powder

dash of tabasco sauce

salt and pepper to taste

1 tbspn sherry

Method: Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Beat until smooth and creamy. If necessary thin out with a few drops of milk. Serve with crisp crackers and celery sticks.

Source: contributed by T. Rosenzweig in Lutheran Jubilee 150 Cook Book 1838-1988 Vol 2 by St. Paul's Congregation, Yorketown (1988), p.10.

Prawn & Grapefruit Cocktail

200g tin prawns

200g tin grapefruit OR 1 fresh grapefruit

1/4 pint reduced cream

1 tbs tomato sauce

3 drops Tabasco (optional)

1 tbs brandy

1 tbs lemon juice

1-2 tsp horseradish

salt & pepper

Method: Empty prawns from tin and rinse in cold water - drain well. If using fresh grapefruit, remove pith and skin, then dice fruit and mix with prawns. Pour over brandy and lemon juice and leave to marinate for an hour at least. Meanwhile, mix all other ingredients to make sauce - pour off excess juice from prawns, etc. and mix with sauce. Serve garnished with parsley or a prawn or a grapefruit segment. Serves 4.

Source: The Parson Knows: Easy Dinner Party Recipes (The Parish of St. Stephen, Glenunga; n.d.), p.24 ['Autumn Menu']

Crab Dip

1 tin Crab meat

250 gm Philadelphia Cream Cheese

2 tins Crab Paste

Method: Mix crab meat crab paste together, season with curry powder, tomato puree, Tabasco sauce (careful) lemon juice, salt & pepper and bind to right consistency with cream. Delicious on small rounds of brown bread and butter.

Source: contributed by Chris Redden in Cookbook: St Joseph's School, Clare (Clare: St Joseph's School, 1991), p.10.

Tuna Pate

1 x 125g pkt Philly Cream cheese
1 small tin Tuna
1T Chilli sauce
few drops Tabasco sauce
1T grated onion
2T chopped parsley
1T lemon juice

Method: Soften cream cheese with a wooden spoon until creamy, then add drained flaked tuna then remaining ingredients. Mix well and put into a small pot. Serve with melba toast or dry biscuits.

Source: 1979 Christmas Cookery with Gas from the Home Service Department South Australian Gas Company ([Adelaide]: South Australian Gas Company, 1979), p.1

French Onion Bites

1 packet Phoenician bread
2 tbsp chopped parsley
250g butter
1 tbsp Parmesan cheese
1/4 packet French onion soup
Dash Tabasco

Method: Cream ingredients and spread on bread. Cut into bite-sized pieces and place on oven trays butter side up. Bake at 150 degrees Celsius for 20-30 mins., or until golden brown and crisp. Store in an airtight container.

Source: contributed by E. Lutchford in Library Cookbook: West Torrens Public Library - Recipes Supplied by Friends, Borrowers and Staff (West Torrens: 1985 [1st edn]).

Tomato Teaser

2.1/2 cups cherry tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon tabasco sauce
250g (1/2lb) bacon cooked and crumbled

Method: Cut out small hole in the top of each cherry tomato. Combine crumbled bacon with the tabasco sauce. Place bacon mixture in holes in tomatoes. Serve with food picks. Makes about 24.

Source: contributed by Mrs G. Wilsdon in Gulnare Gourmets (Gulnare Primary School Welfare Club, 1984 [2nd edition]), p.5.