Tuna Patties

My Mum used to make these often when I was young. she had no real recipe so they were always different but always so good. just use  mashed potato as a base but please don't add butter or milk as mix will be unsusable for the patties (been there,done that) add tuna, onion, carrot to the mashed potato. add seasoning and form into. patties,  coat in breadcrumbs if desired before frying.......salmon  also works well.

Basic Butter Cake

This cake is quick & easy to make and is the base for many different cake versions including marble cake & lamingtons. you can ice it or not, your choice. I iced mine with a lemon icing.  sorry about the pic but I cut it before remembering to take a photo! oopps ;)

4 oz butter
3/4 cup caster sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups self raising flour
small pinch salt
approx 1/2 cup milk
cream, butter, sugar, vanilla together untill light and fluffy. add eggs one at a time beating well.fold in dry ingredients (sifted) alternately with the milk. spoon into greased  7 or 8 inch tin and bake in moderate oven  50-60 minutes or untill done.

Pavlova

Along with lemon meringue pavlova is my favourite dessert, yes its rich and sweet but also delicious. I don't really like the soft spongy inside bit of the pavs meringue so make my pavlova somewhat flat rather done high & domed. recipe from Old Aussie Food Recipes!

4 egg whites at room temperature

1 cup castor sugar (granulated)

1 tsp vinegar

1 tsp cornflour

1 tsp vanilla flavour
Method

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. With an electric mixer beat the egg whites until soft peaks form then gradually add the sugar. Beat until firm. Add the cornflour, vinegar and vanilla. When combined, turn out into a flat tray that has been greased and dusted with cornflour. Try a circular shape with slightly more mixture at the edges, so that it may be served by placing goodies in the centre depression.
Cook in a pre-heated, cool (250 deg. f) oven for one hour. When cooked, turn the oven off, leave the oven door slightly ajar, and allow to cool slowly in the oven. This slow cooling works to prevent the loss of too much height. Serve cold, with whipped cream and fresh fruit pieces, strawberries, pineapple, mango, etc.

Beef Stroganoff

beef stroganoff might be considered  somewhat old fashioned but I love it. perhaps its so 70's but its still so good! recipe mostly from The Australian Womans Weekly Cookbook 1970 edition except I add a little tomato paste to the recipe.

2 lb rump or fillet steak
1/2 lb mushrooms
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon salt
pepper
1 onion
1 oz butter
cut meat into strips approx 1/2 inch by 2 inch. melt butter in pan & fry chopped onion, add meat and continue to cook untill almost done. add sliced mushrooms, fry until meat is tender. pour in sour cream, season to taste & heat through gently.

Scones

I remember growing up and cooking with Mum, scones were one of the very first things I learnt to make. I loved making & of course eating them way back then and I still do. scones so easy to make, so very easy to eat, especially yummy topped with jam & cream ;)

2 cups self raising flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 oz butter
approx 3/4 cup milk & water (combined)
sift flour and salt into bowl stir in sugar. rub in butter untill mixture resembles fine bread crumbs. pour nearly allliquid in & mix to soft dough (flours vary, if dough not soft enough add remaining liquid) place on floured surface & knead lightly. pat dough out to approx 3/4 inch thickness & using a 2 inch cutter, cut into rounds. place on a greased baking tray or lamington tin, glaze with a little milk.  bake in a hot oven for 10 minutes or untill golden brow, when done scones will sound hollow when tapped on the bottom :P

Devilled Chicken

devilled chicken is simple to do and gives great results. if you like it a little more spicey you can add extra curry and or cayenne pepper. recipe from old Aussie recipes.

2 1/2 1b chicken pieces

2 tablespoons oil

1 large onion

1 teaspoon oil extra

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon grated lemon rind

1 cup tomato sauce

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon mustard

1 teaspoon curry

2 tablespoons vinegar

1 teaspoon soy sauce

Method

Saute chicken in hot oil then remove and arrange drained in a casserole dish. Saute onion and crushed garlic in little extra oil until onion is clear. Add lemon juice and rind and other ingredients, cover and bring to boil, then pour over chicken pieces. Bake in moderate oven for 1 1/2 hours approximately.

Fairy Cakes

I love fairy cakes and could eat them all the time. these little beauties are from the Australian Womans Weekly Cookbook, 1970 edition. so easy to make & so delicious!

4oz butter
1/2 cup caster sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups self raising flour
cream butter & sugar together untill light and fluffy. add vanilla then gradually add lightly beaten eggs. fold in sifted flour alternately with milk mixing well. drop dessertspoons of mixture into well greased patty tins, bake in moderately hot oven 10-15 minutes or untill done. decorate as liked. my pink icing is somewhat brighter than I intended so its a good thing I love pink :P

xxoo