With a name like this it had to be a potato pie, didn’t it? My first thought was that this would make a good Sunday night family tea, but I’ve now decided that slices would be good served up with a roast or b-b-que. Either way I think it would be a winner.
Back in the 80s these type of slices were quite common. You baked the base, added a filling and then a chocolate topping. The trick was to add a little butter to the melted chocolate otherwise the topping cracked when you cut it. I think the custard filling in this one is a bit different and would taste quite good.
You can make these to go with pre-dinner drinks, for a picnic, for a party or as a supper dish. They’re great hot or cold and that makes them very versatile.
My and Dad played cards regularly with Mena and her husband Les. Supper was always served at the end of the night and I think this simple snack was a one of their favourites.
SAVOURY SPREAD
Mix all together, spread on bread and bake until brown.
I’m not sure I could make these potatoes look quite as neat as they have in the photo, but it’s always handy to have a good potato dish to serve with a roast or a b-b-que and this does look very good.
The original Australian bush damper was just flour and water mixed together and cooked over an open fire. This version has a bit more to it than that and a lot more flavour.
My guess is that this recipe was one of the original ones Mum started out with after she married in 1941. I wouldn’t be surprised if it came from my paternal grandmother, who Mum lived with while Dad was overseas in the airforce during WW2. The piece of paper looks very well used.
APPLE CRUMBLE
Mix together to make the crumble. Cook apples, let cool and put crumble on top. Bake in a moderate oven 180o until the crumble is brown, about 30 mins.
I think this was one of the first dinner party dishes I made after I got married. It was quite modern then with the wine, garlic, oregano and peppers and tasted great. I’m not sure where I got the recipe from, but I can see from the typing that I typed it up on a manual typewriter, probably at work, and here I am posting it on the internet – how the world has changed!!!! It served me well all those years ago, but I haven’t made it for awhile. Perhaps it’s time to give it another go.
This recipe gets it’s name from the Mallee District an area in north west Victoria, but over the years I’ve seen it with lots of other names including Impossible Pie and Zuccchini slice. I suppose it’s an Australian version of a frittata, the Italian crustless quiche to which a variety of meat and vegetables are added. It’s a nice easy meal and if you make this version you’ll feel very Australian.
I found this unusual birthday cake recipe among Mum’s Herald Sun cutouts. She must have been quite taken with it as she cut out around the picture, although I’m sure she never made it. I really wish it was printed in colour as it must look quite good with the red, yellow and green jelly cubes inside. Not quite sure what it would taste like though, but if you’re looking for a kids cake you don’t have to spend hours decorating this might work for you….
