Chocolate Fingers

1 heaped cup plain flour

1 tablespoon cocoa

3/4 cup sugar

4 tablespoons butter or margarine (less if soft)

1 egg

Vanilla

Pinch salt

Crushed walnuts

Method: Rub butter into flour, sugar and cocoa. Add beaten egg, salt and vanilla. Spread in shallow tin. Bake 30 minutes in moderate oven. When cool, ice with chocolate icing and sprinkle with crushed walnuts. Cut into small fingers.

Source: contributed by Mrs. Gwen Mueller, Canberra in The Adelaide Children's Hospital Recipe Book 1979 (Adelaide: 1979), p.42.

Pumpkin Cake

1/4 lb butter, 7 oz sugar, 1 cup cold cooked trombone (steamed, drained and mashed), 2 Tbls (small) golden syrup, 2 eggs, 2 rounded cups SR flour, pinch salt, 1 level tsp mixed spice, 1 lb mixed fruit.

Method: Cream butter and sugar. Add well beaten eggs gradually, then golden syrup, then the well-drained trombone. Lightly stir in sifted flour, salt and spice, alternately with fruit. Turn into an 8 in. greased cake tin. Cook at 400°[F] for 1.1/4-1.3/4 hours.

Source: contributed by E. Bright in Booleroo Centre Primary School 1885-1985 Centenary Recipe Book (Revised edition 1985 of 1970 edition), p.87.

Iced Vo Vo Biscuits

Sift into a bowl 6oz S.R. flour and rub in 4oz butter, lard or dripping, add 4oz sugar and mix to a firm paste, with 1 egg. Roll out on board to a biscuit thickness and cut in shape. Bake on a greased oven tray in a moderate oven for 20 mins. When cold spread red jam down centre of each one, and ice with pink and white icing down the sides. Place each one face down into cocoanut.

Source: contributed by Sylvia Hartmann, Charleston in The Golden Wattle Cookery Book. Compiled by Ladies of the Kindergarten Committee. In aid of Kindergarten Funds. (Lobethal: 1948), p.73.

Mock Fish

4 eggs, 3 medium sized potatoes, 1 small onion, pepper and salt to taste.

Method: Grate potatoes and onion and then beat in eggs. Mix and fry in hot fat until a nice brown. Parsley or grated carrot is an improvement.

Source: contributed by L. Sinkinson, Lobethal in The Golden Wattle Cookery Book. Compiled by Ladies of the Kindergarten Committee. In aid of Kindergarten Funds. (Lobethal: 1948), p.11.

Prune and Cornflake Drops

8 oz. (225g) prunes

1 lb. (450g) cornflakes

1/2 teaspoon (2.50ml) vanilla essence

8 oz. (225g) desiccated coconut

12 tablespoons (180 ml) condensed milk

Salt

Method: Set oven at 350°[F] (180°C) or mark 4. Cut the prunes into small pieces and place in a bowl. Mix in by degrees the Cornflakes, coconut and pinch of salt. Pour on the condensed milk and vanilla essence and mix all ingredients well. Shape the mixture into small balls and arrange on well greased baking sheet. Bake in pre-set oven for about 10 minutes and allow to cool before serving.

Source: contributed by Rae Williams in The Adelaide Children's Hospital Recipe Book 1982 (Adelaide: 1982), p.50.

Russian Salad

Line a flat meat dish with lettuce leaves. Arrange in separate piles on this a cupful each of cooked peas, carrots, potatoes and a cup each of tomato, cucumber and celery. All these should be neatly diced except the tomato and cucumber, which should be sliced. Sprinkle chopped gherkin over all and garnish with celery curls. Serve with thick mayonnaise.

Source: Mantle of Safety Cookbook 2 (The Port Augusta Women's Air Branch Auxillary of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, c1987), p.62.

Blow Away Banana and Honey Pudding

1 Tbls honey, 1 Tbls butter, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 tsp carb. soda, 1 cup SR flour, sliced banana, 1 extra Tbls honey.

Method: Beat butter and 1 Tbls honey to a cream, add milk to which carb. soda has been added. Lastly stir in flour. Grease basin and add extra honey. Cover bottom with sliced banana. Pour the pudding mixture over this. Steam for 1 hour.

Source: contributed by F. Bastian in Booleroo Centre Primary School 1885-1985 Centenary Recipe Book (Revised edition 1985 of 1970 edition, p.51.

Sweet and Sour Beef

(4-6 serves)

2 tablespoons butter

1 lb. [500 gm.] minced topside steak

1 tablespoon plain flour

17&1/2 oz. 470 gm.] can pineapple pieces and juice

1 cup Sultana Bran

1 medium carrot, thinly sliced

3 tablespoons vinegar

1 tablespoon soya sauce

2 tablespoons dried chopped onion

1 tablespoon chopped green ginger

1 onion stock cube, crumbled

1/2 medium capsicum, sliced

Method: Melt butter in heavy saucepan. Brown meat well and add remaining ingredients. Mix well and simmer for 20 minutes.

Source: Better Health High Fibre Cookbook compiled by the Strathalbyn Kindergarten Committee (Hahndorf, S.A.: Fox Publishing, 1978), p.35.

Savoury Cheese Balls

4 oz. softened butter

4 oz. grated mature cheese

4 oz. S.R. flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

Pinch cayenne pepper

Method: Mix all together and roll in balls. Roll in coconut. Press flat with fork and bake in a slow oven 25-30 minutes or till crisp. These are delicious.

Source: contributed by Mrs. A. V. Wurst (A.C.H. Wirrabara Auxiliary) in The Adelaide Children's Hospital Recipe Book 1982 (Adelaide: 1982), p.49.

Port Cream

3 eggs, separated

3/4 cup castor sugar

4 teaspoons gelatine

1/4 cup hot water

3/4 cup port

1 cup whipped cream

Method: Beat egg yolks with sugar until thick and creamy. Sprinkle gelatine over hot water, stir until dissolved. Add to egg mixture, stir in well, then mix in port. Beat egg whites until stiff, but not dry and fold in. Then fold in the whipped cream. Turn into a bowl or individual sweet bowls and chill until firm. If desired, decorate with whole strawberries.

Source: contributed by Mrs. Doug Crappsley (A.C.H. Barossa Valley Auxiliary) in The Adelaide Children's Hospital Recipe Book 1982 (Adelaide: 1982), p.40.

Curried Egg Mornay

1 pkt Continental chicken noodle soup, 1 & 1/2 cups boiling water, 1 oz copha or shortening, 2 level tbspns flour, 1 tbspn chopped parsley, 2 tspns curry powder, 1 cup milk, 4-6 hard-boiled eggs.

Method: Cook noodle soup in boiling water for 7 mins. Cool. Melt copha, stir in flour & curry powder. Add milk, & stir until boiling. Mix in soup, bring to boil. Add egg & parsley.

Source: [Two Hundred] Well Tried Barossa Recipes: St John's Lutheran Ladies Guild, Tanunda (New Edition, March 1975 [1st = October 1974], p.10.

Mushroom & Fish Mornay

Fry 1 chopped apple & 2 chopped onions until brown. Add salt & pepper, then add a small tin mushrooms. Cook for a few mins, add 1 tbspn sugar, 1 level dspn curry powder & 2 cups water. Simmer, & thicken with cornflour. Add 1 lb tuna cuts, 1 dspn chutney, & 1 dspn sultanas.

Source: [Two Hundred] Well Tried Barossa Recipes: St John's Lutheran Ladies Guild, Tanunda (New Edition, March 1975 [1st = October 1974], p.11.

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.

Chocolate Rum Pie

1 dstspn. gelatine

2 cups milk

1/2 cup sugar

2&1/2 dstspns. cornflour

4 eggs

3 dstspns. rum

4oz dark chocolate

150ml cream

chocolate shavings

Method: Soften gelatine in 1/4 cup of milk. Scald remaining milk. Blend sugar with cornflour. Stir in hot milk. Separate eggs. Beat yolks, add cornflour mixture. Stir in top of double boiler until mixture thickens. Add softened gelatine and chopped chocolate. Stir until gelatine dissolves and chocolate melts. Add rum. Allow to cool slightly. Beat egg whites until stiff. Fold into chocolate mixture. Pour into prepared crumb case. Refrigerate until set. Whip cream, spread evenly over mixture and decorate with chocolate shavings.

Source: Mantle of Safety Cookbook 2 (The Port Augusta Women's Air Branch Auxillary of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, c1987), p.111.

Dessert from the Shelf

1 small tin sliced peaches or apricot halves, 1/2 cup cream or evaporated milk, 3/4 cup plain flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar firmly packed, 1 level tsp cinnamon, pinch salt, 2 oz butter or margarine.

Method: Drain fruit. Arrange in 9 in. tart plate, pour milk or cream over it. Sift flour, salt, sugar and cinnamon. Rub butter in lightly with tips of fingers. Sprinkle top over fruit. Bake in moderate oven until crumbs are brown - about 15 mins. Serve while still warm with cream.

Source: contributed by B. Roocke in Booleroo Centre Primary School 1885-1985 Centenary Recipe Book (Revised edition 1985 of 1970 edition, p.56.

Peanut Scrambles (uncooked recipe)

8 oz peanuts, 8 oz sultanas, 4 oz drinking chocolate, 4 oz icing sugar, 2 cups rice bubbles, 8 oz copha.

Method: Melt copha and add other ingredients. Drop in clusters on greased paper and leave to set.

Source: contributed by H. Keller in Booleroo Centre Primary School 1885-1985 Centenary Recipe Book (Revised edition 1985 of 1970 edition, p.107.

Tuna Crisp

Melt 3 oz butter in a large saucepan. Saute 1 finely chopped onion in butter. Stir in 4 Tbls of flour and 1 oz powdered milk. Cook for 1 minute. Gradually add 3 cups of water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 3 minutes stirring constantly. Add 1 x 425 can of drained flaked tuna, 1 cup cooked peas and 1 cup of grated cheese. Season to taste. Pour into greased casserole dish. Sprinkle over 1/4 cup cornflake crumbs. Dot a little butter and bake in a moderate oven for 20 minutes. Serves 4-5.

Source: contributed by Jill Sanders in Booleroo Centre Primary School 1885-1985 Centenary Recipe Book (Revised edition 1985 of 1970 edition, p.45.

Crunchy Fruit Ring

3 cups cornflakes, good Tbls butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, stewed apples or any other fruit (very tasty with grapes).

Method: Melt butter and sugar slowly in a fairly large saucepan until light caramel colour. Lightly mix in cornflakes, toss them until thoroughly coated with syrup. Pack this into a buttered ring mould. Set aside until nearly, but not quite, cold. Lever out on to platter and fill with fruit. Serve immediately with cream or ice cream.

Source: contributed by C. Hewton in Booleroo Centre Primary School 1885-1985 Centenary Recipe Book (Revised edition 1985 of 1970 edition, p.55.

Delicious Steak

1 lb steak, 1 Tbls flour, 1 Tbls sugar, 1 Tbls vinegar, 2 Tbls tomato sauce, 1 tsp mustard, salt, pepper.

Method: Cut steak into pieces and roll in mixture made of flour, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper. Place in oven proof dish, cover with water. Add vinegar and tomato sauce. Cook slowly for 2 hours.

Source: contributed by B. Bastian in Booleroo Centre Primary School 1885-1985 Centenary Recipe Book (Revised edition 1985 of 1970 edition, p.28.

Economical Potato Cake

3/4 cup mashed cold potato, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup cold milk, 2 cups SR flour, 1 cup chopped raisins, grated rind of 1 orange.

Method: Mix ingredients well together and tip into small baking dish. Bake 40 mins. in moderate oven. When cold slice and butter.

Source: contributed by G. Woolford in Booleroo Centre Primary School 1885-1985 Centenary Recipe Book (Revised edition 1985 of 1970 edition, p.79.

Bran and Bean Meat Loaf

(yields 10 slices)

1&1/2 lb. [750 gm.] minced steak

1 onion finely chopped

1 egg

2 bacon stock cubes, crumbled

1 tablespoon tomato sauce

1&1/2 cups All-Bran

Small can bean mix, drained

Method: Grease 8" x 4" (20 cm. x 10 cm.) log tin. Combine all ingredients and mix well. Press into the greased tin and bake in a moderately hot oven for 1&1/4 hours.

Source: Better Health High Fibre Cookbook compiled by the Strathalbyn Kindergarten Committee (Hahndorf, S.A.: Fox Publishing, 1978), p.22.