Oriental Delight

2 oz Butter
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup SR Flour
1 tbsp Cocoa
4 tbsp Milk
1 tbsp Coffee Essence
1 cup Dates
1/2 cup Coconut
2 Eggs
1/2 cup Walnuts

Method: Beat Butter and Sugar, add Eggs, Milk, Coffee, Coconut, Cocoa, Flour, Dates and Walnuts.

Press the mixture into a greased, shallow tin and bake in a moderate oven (approx. 180°C) for 25-30 minutes.

Ice with Chocolate Icing, sprinkle with chopped Nuts

When cold, cut into fingers or squares.

Source: Recipes Old and New (Dedicated to the many women who have worked in and for the Hutchinson Hospital during the last eighty years) [Gawler Health Services Joint Fund: November 1994], p.39.

Frankham Beans

potatoes, peeled, washed, sliced
LF [low-fat]-cheese slices
baked beans, 750g can, or suitable size
1 onion, sliced

Method: Cover the base of a large ovenproof dish with potato slices, then a layer of onion. Add the entire contents of the baked beans. Repeat a layer of potato slices and top with cheese and freshly ground pepper. Bake in moderate oven until potatoes feel tender to skewer test. Serve with fresh green salad. Quick, easy, economical and nutritious.

Variations: add a little granulated garlic, or chopped parsley or perhaps top with breadcrumbs.

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.30.

Black and White Pudding

1/2 cup sugar
A small 1/2 cup milk
1&1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon cocoa
1 egg
1 dessertspoon butter
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 saltspoon cinnamon
Salt

Method: Cream butter and sugar and add egg, milk and vanilla. Divide batter and add cocoa and cinnamon to one half. Place alternately in a buttered mould and steam for 1 hour. Serve with chocolate sauce or cream.

Source: The Possum Cookery Book in Aid of Miss Minda - Telethon (Brighton: Minda Home Auxiliary, n.d. [1960s - post 1963]), p.51.

Minced Roll (Baked)

A leg of mutton
2 well beaten eggs
Seasoning
2 cups fine breadcrumbs
1 dessertspoon chopped parsley

Method: Mince all the meat from the leg, and add to it the breadcrumbs and egg. Add parsley and season well. Most people like it without onion, but it may be added if liked particularly. Mix all together thoroughly, and form into one large or two smaller rolls. Wrap and tie in clean greased brown paper or a paper bag, and bake in a moderate oven as you would a joint, with plenty of good dripping. Baste frequently, and turn once. It should cook in 1&1/2 to 2 hours, according to size and heat of oven. When the paper is removed, you will find that it looks and tastes as unlike roast joint as can be. It is crisp and delicious served with the usual brown gravy and vegetables, but it is equally good served cold with salads, or for sandwiches. Use the bones that are left for soup.

Source: The Possum Cookery Book in Aid of Miss Minda - Telethon (Brighton: Minda Home Auxiliary, n.d. [1960s - post 1963]), p.30.

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.

Dinner Mints

4 tablespoons Butter
8 tablespoons Sugar
4 tablespoons fresh Milk
4 tablespoons Cocoa
13 tablespoons Bonlac Powdered Milk (or similar)
Peppermint Essence

Method: Heat butter, sugar and fresh milk until dissolved. Remove from heat. Add peppermint essence, cocoa and skim milk. Beat until smooth. Leave until cold. Roll in balls in chocolate sprinkles.

Source: contributed by Mrs. Alexander Gray in The Possum Cookery Book in Aid of Miss Minda - Telethon (Brighton: Minda Home Auxiliary, n.d. [1960s - post 1963]), p.75.

Mince Steak Casserole

1 lb. fine minced steak
1 medium onion
2 dessertspoons plain flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Pepper
1 cup finely diced carrot
1 small tin whole sweet corn
1 tablespoon tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon vegemite (optional)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
One-third pint water

Method: Cook onion in a little fat until tender but not brown. Stir in the meat, flour, salt, pepper, and brown slightly. Add other ingredients and heat till boiling. Put in covered casserole and cook for 35 to 45 minutes.

Source: contributed by Mrs. D. Crawford in The Possum Cookery Book in Aid of Miss Minda - Telethon (Brighton: Minda Home Auxiliary, n.d. [1960s - post 1963]), p.23.

Very Easy But Delicious Sweet

1 sponge or plain butter cake
6 oz. cream
3 or 4 ripe pears
Few drops of almond essence

Method: Split cake through centre. Whip cream with icing sugar and essence to taste. Spread cream on half cake -- place peeled half pears closely on top. Add another layer of cream, then top with cake and more cream if desired. Strained tinned pears may be used, but fresh ones are better. Put in refrigerator for 1/2 hr. before serving.

Source: The Possum Cookery Book in Aid of Miss Minda - Telethon (Brighton: Minda Home Auxiliary, n.d. [1960s - post 1963]), p.62.

Mock Duck

1 lb. rump or blade bone steak
1 teaspoon chopped thyme and sage
1 chopped onion
Salt and pepper
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon chopped parsley
1 tablespoon melted butter

Method: Spread the meat and pound it a little. Rub with lemon. Mix crumbs and seasonings and add melted butter. Spread the crumbs over the meat, roll up, and tie into shape. Place in a covered pie dish with some good dripping and a cup of hot water. Cook about 2 hours in a moderate oven. Take cover from pie dish and allow the meat 20 minutes to brown. Serve with good gravy.

Source: The Possum Cookery Book in Aid of Miss Minda - Telethon (Brighton: Minda Home Auxiliary, n.d. [1960s - post 1963]), p.34.

Potatoes Parisienne

3 dessertspoons oil
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups potato balls (made with potato baller)
3 teaspoons chopped parsley

Method: Stand potato balls 1 hour in cold water. Drain, dry on absorbent paper or clean cloth. Place in heated oil in frypan; cover and cook gently 30-40 mins. shaking pan to cook evenly. Just before serving add salt and parsley; toss lightly to mix.

Source: contributed by Mrs. W. Ker in The Possum Cookery Book in Aid of Miss Minda - Telethon (Brighton: Minda Home Auxiliary, n.d. [1960s - post 1963]), p.41.

Muesli Scones

1 cup SR flour
1 cup Muesli
TONE skim milk

Method: Mix dry ingredients and add sufficient milk to produce a scone dough. Heat lightly greased frypan to 175°C. Place spoonfuls of scone mix in pan, cover and reduce temperature to 150°C. Cook for about 10 minutes or until tops are smooth, not moist. Turn scones to brown the base. These are delicious served hot and require no additions. Served with fresh fruit, or fruit juice, Muesli Scones provide a quick and complete breakfast.

Muesli
250g rolled oats
250g wheat germ
125g bran, unprocessed
4 Tblsp buckwheat
4 Tblsp sunflower seeds
250g dried fruits

Method: Mix all together and store in air-tight containers.

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.17.

Cheese Rusks

250g SR flour
milk to mix
125g butter
125g grated matured cheese
pinch salt
good shake of cayenne
1t mustard

Method: Sift flour, salt, cayenne and mustard. Rub in butter and cheese. Mix to scone dough consistency with milk. Turn onto floured board and knead. Roll into 1&1/2cm thickness and cut into oblong 7.5cm long x 2-2.5cm wide. Place on oven slide and bake at 220 degrees C gas oven until just browned. Remove tray from oven and with 2 forks split through scones as though to butter them. Return to oven, split side up and dry out and brown gently in gas oven 150-160 degrees C. Serve buttered with a dip or topped with savouries.

N.B. If well dried out and crisp, they will keep for a long time in an airtight tin.

Source: Festive Fair: Christmas Menus (Adelaide: South Australian Gas Company, 'From the Home Service Department'; n.d. [early 1980s?]), p.51.

Cheese Sauce Scones

8 oz. S.R. flour
Pinch salt
2 oz. butter or margarine
3/4 cup milk
3 oz. of tasty cheese

Method: Sift flour and salt into bowl. Add 1 oz. of butter and rub in well. Make a hollow in bottom of the bowl and add the milk. Mix with a round-top knife until a soft dough is formed. Tip on to a lightly-floured board. Knead until the underside is smooth. Roll out to about 1/2 inch thick. Cut with plain 1&1/2" cutter. Place in a shallow round 8" sponge tin, close together. Pat over the Cheese Sauce. Place the remaining butter in a saucepan and melt. Don't brown. Add cheese and stir twice. Pour sauce on scones and spread. Cook for 15 minutes Gas oven 425°, Electric 550°.

Source: contributed by Jane Lemon in The Possum Cookery Book in Aid of Miss Minda - Telethon (Brighton: Minda Home Auxiliary, n.d. [1960s - post 1963]), p.67.

Cold Chocolate Souffle

4 eggs
1/4 lb. block of best dark chocolate
1 pint boiling milk
Sugar to taste
1/2 oz. gelatine (1 level tablespoon)

Method: Beat the yolks of eggs till light. Break the chocolate into small pieces and melt it in 1 pint boiling milk, and add the sugar and yolks of eggs. Let thicken to a nice custard, but do not boil. Melt 1/2 oz. gelatine in a little hot water and add to the custard. When cool, lightly fold in the whites of the eggs beaten to a stiff froth. Pour into a glass bowl and place in refrigerator. Do not turn out. When ready to serve, put whipped cream on top and, if desired, decorate with cut-up blanched almonds and cherries.

Source: contributed by Lady Bonython in The Possum Cookery Book in Aid of Miss Minda - Telethon (Brighton: Minda Home Auxiliary, n.d. [1960s - post 1963]), p.60.

Orange Surprise

4 oranges
Fruit salad (drained of juice)
White curacao (optional)
2 level tablespoons sugar
2 egg whites

Method: Cut top off oranges, remove pulp with sharp knife and spoon, keeping shell intact. Pour in a dessertspoon curacao, then fill with fruit salad. Pipe meringue on top of each orange, sealing carefully. Bake in quick oven until meringue sets (2 mins. only). Serve in individual glass dishes. 

Source: contributed by Mrs. Warwick Hancock in The Possum Cookery Book in Aid of Miss Minda - Telethon (Brighton: Minda Home Auxiliary, n.d. [1960s - post 1963]), p.56.

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.

Whiting Superb

1 lb. whiting fillets
1 cup soft white breadcrumbs
3 oz. butter
2 chopped peeled tomatoes
1 cup mashed potatoes
2 scant tablespoons peanut butter
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 a lemon
Pepper and salt
Chopped parsley

Method: Line the bottom of an ovenproof serving dish with the breadcrumbs. Pour the melted butter over this. Rub the fish fillets with lemon. Lay them on the breadcrumbs and season with salt and pepper. Combine the mashed potato, chopped tomatoes, peanut paste, brown sugar and chopped parsley and mix well. Spread this mixture over the fish and bake in a moderate oven for 30-35 minutes. When serving decorate with parsley and slices of lemon.

Source: contributed by Mrs. Norman Young in The Possum Cookery Book in Aid of Miss Minda - Telethon (Brighton: Minda Home Auxiliary, n.d. [1960s - post 1963]), p.19.

Choco Bananas

Peel 2 bananas, slice and sprinkle with milk chocolate pieces. Cook on High 1-2 minutes, until part cooked. Top with cream or tinned cream and serve. Use small microwave sweet dishes to cook this sweet.

Source: contributed by Margaret Bennett in Our Jubilee Year Recipe Book [Ascot Park Uniting Church Friendship Group] (Adelaide, 1986), p.22.

Kidney Stuffed Mushrooms

125gm chopped lamb kidneys
6-8 med. mushrooms (remove stems and chop finely)
2 rashers of bacon chopped finely
1 chopped onion
2 small teaspoon worcestershire sauce
2 tabs. chopped parsley
1/2 cup grated mixed tasty and cheddar cheese
1 teas. soy sauce

Method: Combine chopped kidneys, bacon, onion and mushroom stems and sauces. Cook on High 4 minutes stirring once. Stir in half parsley mixture, place mixture in mushroom caps. Cook on High 4 minutes or until cheese is melted, after topping with remaining parsley cheese mix.

Source: contributed by Margaret Bennett in Our Jubilee Year Recipe Book [Ascot Park Uniting Church Friendship Group] (Adelaide, 1986), p.24.

Marinated Lamb Chops

Slice 2 white onions into casserole, with 6 lamb chops from which surplus fat has been removed. Season with pepper and salt. Cover with either claret or hock, and allow to marinate for a few hours before cooking. Add 2 small tomatoes, skinned and sliced. Cook gently. Thicken before serving and add 1 tsp of butter and parsley.

Source: contributed by N. Palmer in Booleroo Centre Primary School 1885-1985 Centenary Recipe Book (Revised edition 1985 of 1970 edition), p.32.

Gelatine Ice Cream Dessert

1 packet jelly crystals
1 cup boiling water
1 cup cold water (*or use 3/4 cup cold water and 1/4 cup sweet sherry)
1 pint vanilla ice cream

Method: Dissolve jelly crystals in boiling water and add cold water. Add ice cream by spoonfuls, stirring until melted. Chill until slightly thickened then stir well. Pour into individual dishes or one large bowl. Decorate with fresh fruit (or canned). Chill until set (approximately 1 hour). Makes 7 servings.

Source: contributed by Mrs. W. Hobbs (Secretary A.C.H. Fullarton Aux.) in The Adelaide Children's Hospital Recipe Book 1982 (Adelaide: 1982), p.40.

Jarred Chops

6 chump chops
heaped tablespoon flour
dessertspoon sugar
1 cup water
3 tablespoons tomato sauce
2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon vinegar

Method: Coat chops with flour and sugar. In an ovenproof dish, mix sauces, vinegar and water. Place coated chops in dish with mixture. Cover and bake in 350°-375°F oven 1&1/2-2 hours.

Source: contributed by Kathy Woolford (A.C.H. Balaklava Auxiliary) in The Adelaide Children's Hospital Recipe Book 1982 (Adelaide: 1982), p.28.