This recipe comes from the back of the Pampas Ready Rolled Puff Pastry pack. Originally Mum had to hand make any pastry she used, so the advent of prepared pastry was almost as good as sliced bread. The first type of prepared pastry came in a block and still needed rolling out which was a bit of a chore, then someone had the great idea of ready rolled sheets and using pastry became a lot easier.
I’ve no idea why this is called a cake, if anything the finished dish looks more like a pudding as it has a lovely brown crust on top. It makes an economical family meal that tastes great.
BAKED STEAK CAKE
Topping
In a basin, place the meat, bacon, onion, cheese, sauces and seasonings. Mix and spread evenly in a 20cm x 20cm casserole dish. Pour topping over meat and bake at 180º for 1 hour until top is set and browned. Cut into squares and serve with mashed potatoes and buttered spinach or other green vegetable.
For topping – sift dry ingredients into a basin. Make a well in the centre and add beaten eggs, milk, melted butter, cheese and parsley. Mix and beat until smooth.
Lamb and vegetable casseroles have always been a staple dish in Australian households. From early on lamb was readily available and any vegetable could be added to bulk the dish out to feed a family. Originally it probably came to Australia as a Lancastershire Hot Pot, but whether you call it that or like this recipe Lamb & Vegetable Hot Pot it is always a hearty dish topped with potatoes.
I couldn’t resist sharing this recipe. While the roast and glaze sound great, it’s the picture I love. The table decoration, the mugs and the vegetables all just scream 1970s. It’s on the back of a calendar dated June 1976 and I’m guessing it was a calendar Mum got from her brother who was a butcher. Enjoy.
Like most Australian families when we were growing up Mum cooked a roast once a week. As there were five of us in the family it was usually a large piece of meat and there was always some left over for school lunches or to have cold with a salad. Another way Mum would use it up was to make Meat Fritters. This recipe has the meat being minced, but Mum just used to slice it and coat the pieces in the batter before frying. And of course we always had tomato sauce with it.
These are still a picnic favourite in my family. They are easy enough to make and transport well. We always eat them cold, but you could have them warm if you’d rather.
I found this among the recipes, it’s in my awful handwriting, so I assume I gave it to Mum somewhere along the way. I’ve been making it for years and still make it, but I use less meat now as I’m no longer feeding a family of five. It’s easy and the gravy is really does taste great.
STEAK WITH RICH GRAVY
Cut the meat into serving pieces. Place in casserole, add dry soup, mix water and soup together and pour over. Mix well. Cook 1½ hrs at 180º.
I’m not sure of the origins of this recipe, but it’s been a Sunday night staple in our family for many years. My husband’s mother also made it, although her version left out the rice and added carrots. I still make it, but add in soy or teriyaki sauce. I think it’s one of those recipes that enable you to use up whatever vegies are left in the fridge – tasty and versatile.
CHOP SUEY
Cook the mince steak in butter until brown, then add the onion & celery and cook until soft. Add the soup, curry, rice and salt and pepper, then lastly the cabbage. Cook for about 30 mins until the cabbage is cooked – mixed all together. ***You can add extra vegetables & soy or teriyaki sauce to taste.
I think Mum taught me well, because like her when I’m entertaining I always like to have everything prepared in advance and leave only a few things to be done when the guests arrive. What I like about this recipe is that you can prepare the chicken up to stage 4 and then cook and serve the rolls when your guests arrive. It would work well with either a salad or vegetables and that makes it very versatile.
Casseroles seem to fall into two categories, the fancier type that Mum would serve up to guests and the basic ones she would make for family meals. This recipe falls into the second category, it’s really just meat and vegetables, but great to just put in the oven and forget. Today I make this sort when I have time and reheat when needed.
Beb's Recipe Drawer 