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.
Using condensed milk to make slices was a lot more common back 1980s than it is today, but it certainly makes a nice slice. The first time I cooked with pecans was around that time as well. I made an ‘exotic’ American Pecan Pie, using pecans and the hard to obtain ingredient, corn syrup. I think this slice recipe probably dates from a little later than that, especially as it comes from an ad for Riverside an Australian company which urges readers to join the All Australian Pecan Club.
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.
Back in the 1990s these would often be handed around at a party or before dinner. I haven’t made them for a long time, but I think they’d still work well today. I like the tip of converting the recipe into sausage rolls if you don’t want to use them as savouries.
At the retirement village where Mum now lives they hold an Anzac Day ceremony every year. The residents plan and conduct the service themselves and it is very moving to see men and women who lived through the war years gather to commemorate the day. Morning tea is served after the ceremony and along with tea and coffee are plates of Anzac biscuits baked by the residents. I always thought that all Anzac biscuits were the same, but have now learned that everyone has their own way of baking them. I found this clipping in Mum’s collection and I like the extra instructions for Chewy Anzacs at the bottom – you can tell by the stains that this is a recipe well used by Mum.
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.
These old style sweet loaves are cheap and easy to make. A slice of the freshly made loaf spread with butter and with a cup of tea or coffee is still delicious.
For those who find Pumpkin Soup a little bland adding sweet corn really makes a difference.
Lemon chicken is something of a classic chicken recipe and this is a version that Mum cut out from the Herald Sun. Twice frying the chicken makes it lovely and crunchy and topped with the sauce the whole thing is delicious.
Although Mum never really mastered the use of the microwave, except for reheating meals, she cut this recipe out of the Woman’s Day. I sure she had every intention of making it one day.
Beb's Recipe Drawer 