Probus Club of Cabarita and Breakfast Point Issue 3, June 2020

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Keeping in Touch

The President’s Greeting

As we move into winter we are all noticing cooler days and colder nights with streets and gardens carpeted with autumn leaves. Fittingly, the theme for this month’s newsletter is ‘Winter Warmers – Food and Wine.’ In this edition we introduce you to the Cookbook Club as they recall experiences using recipes from renown chefs and trying out various cuisines. They have also put together a selection of winter recipes you might like to try. And as many of us can attest, good food tastes even better when accompanied by the right wine! And where better to learn about wine than with the Wine Appreciation Group. A must is ‘Musical Meanderings’ from Jan Sayers as we are transported back to music greats of yesteryear and a link to a heartwarming performance by Andrea Bocelli. Other features include Connie Fraser’s report on a visit to the Lucy Osborn / Florence Nightingale Museum, a fitting destination in this the International Year of the Nurse. Our travel feature includes a visit to Krakow that will entice you to add this to your ‘Bucket List’, whilst we are taken back in time when one of our members relates her experiences as a backpacker. She bravely declares “Had the Lord Provost of the Royal Borough, been 40 years younger, he’d have made a Scottish Lassie out of me!”

Geoff Barnsley, appointed as Speaker Convener for 2020, introduces himself on page 10 and provides an update regarding speakers. Meanwhile, as the flu season is upon us, and COVID 19 hovers, it is important that we don’t become complacent but follow Government directives and in particular adhere to ‘social distancing’ and hand washing. This is especially important now that some of our groups have recommenced: bike riding, golf, kayaking, photography, tennis and walking. Rest assured we will alert you via a ‘Newsflash’ when other groups can resume in accordance with Government advice and when venues become available. Don’t forget, if you’d like to have something included in the July edition, please send this to the Secretary by June 12th at: secretary.probuscbp@gmail.com

I am sure you will thoroughly enjoy this month’s ‘Keeping in Touch’ with so many interesting activities.

Kathy Beresford, President

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Member Support Don’t forget, if you or someone you know in the Club needs some support or perhaps a friendly call, please let Helen O’Neill, our Membership Support Officer know: hmon1969@gmail.com

Contents

The Cookook Club 2 Wine Appreciation 5 Musical Meanderings 6 The Armchair Traveller 7 The Lucy Osburn/ 9 Nightingale Museum Speaker Update 10 Quick Quiz Answer 11 You’ve Got to Be Joking! 11 Winter Warmer Recipes 12

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Quote of the Month

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food

and warmth, the touch of a friendly hand and

for a talk beside the fire, it is the time for home.

Edith Stilwell

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The Cookbook Club

Jane Elliot

The Cookbook Club is something else – we don’t follow any particular convention – we don’t meet regularly on a certain day of the month nor at a particular time. That said our mission is serious - we want to enjoy each others company, indulge in some great food, and conversation. And of course wine for those who choose to indulge!

The group started in 2017. The brief was that someone would nominate to host a dinner, specifying the date and nominating a known chef or cookbook from which members would choose to prepare a course. The host specifies the number of people they can accomodate (first in reserves a place at the table). Each guest then nominates to cook either an entrée, main or dessert. People just take it in turns – if they bring an entrée to one dinner then they’ll usually do a main at the next and so on – no one has to say anything - we just all fit in and are quite excited to see what will appear on the menu!

Our first soiree back in 2017 was at Gilda McRobert’s. There were around 20 or so people present. As hostess, Gilda had gone to no end of trouble. Two tables were beautifully laid. Gilda had gone to the effort of trekking out to Cabramatta and purchased some beautiful fabric which she then made into tableclothes.

Tables set for our first dinner

These were bedecked with her finest china, cutlery and glassware and adorned with placecards. It did indeed look like a fine dining occasion – especially with her baby grand piano in the background!

That year we also enjoyed a Nigella Lawson dinner at Jan Sayers. One of the highlights was Jane Elliot’s cold soup served in her exquisite china tea cups. Chicken Cosima followed (named after Nigella’s daughter to celebrate her 21st!) and a Leek and Pasta Bake. Dessert was Eton Mess – yum! Conversation flowed considering all things Nigella – not merely her cooking!

Over time, we have become a little more flamboyant and widened our brief to include different cuisines and get together at different times of the day. We’ve had a couple of fabulous French themed evenings hosted by Jane and Gilbert Elliot. The menu for the first dinner included a slow cooked Coq au Vin accompanied by a French composed salad and for dessert apple galette and apple charlotte.

The second French night saw some go all out dressing to the nines -- lots of little black dresses ……

French themed dinner

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and Monsieur Paul looking très chic in his French beret!

Paula, Jane and Paul

The 2019 year started with Pam Floyd hosting High Tea - such indulgence with champagne flowing and exquisite food – mouth watering scones and the usual delicacies - the guys don’t know what they missed!

High Tea hosted by Pam Floyd

March saw dinner at Jan Sayers again. The theme was: ‘The Two Maggies – Maggie Beer & Margaret Fulton.’

This was another gourmet extravaganza. Many brought along their cookbooks including a 44 year old Margaret Fulton edition! – no prizes for guessing this was a wedding gift! We all reminisced about the ‘favourites’ we had baked from this tome over the years. Following dessert we played a quiz enabling us to learn a little more about each of these extraordinary women and their enduring contributions to Australian cuisine and culture. I digress - a highlight of the night was the pavlova with passionfruit curd and strawberries - a Maggie Beer recipe, baked by Jane Elliot.

A Sri Lankan dinner saw us at Jo and Michael Glenday’s where we were taken back to 70’s. … think Charmaine Solomon’s cookbooks. And a year later people are still talking about Michael’s fish curry!

Sri Lankan Fare at the Glenday’s

We’ve had a back to the 70’s lunch at Judy and Rob Mitchell’s; an Italian dinner at Jane Cook’s – tables resplendent with red and white check tablecloths. Connie & Doug Fraser also hosted an Italian night where Sue & Howard Kennedy’s mouth watering anti pasto kicked the night off to a great start.

Sue & Howard hosted the first barbeque for the club, - it wasn’t difficult to relax on their lovely garden terrace as we enjoyed Carol McKee’s morish pumpkin and walnut pate.

Carol & Peter McKee subsequently hosted a ‘Mystery’ lunch providing wonderful wine &

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cocktails getting everyone in the mood before we even tasted the food!

Valentine’s Day Dinner

Another evening saw Janina Will & John Poczynek as hosts for a Valentine’s Day dinner. The menu included mouth watering barbequed salmon steaks, whilst Krissy Brancatisano made crepes l’orange for dessert served on plates from Nat’s mothers’s antique dinner set. Nothing can quite beat enjoying a night of fine food and good company under fairy lights twinkling in the evening sky.

Last November we celebrated Christmas early as Vicki Jesionek introduced us to a night at the Polish Club. (See we are flexible - we can eat out too!) We enjoyed traditional fare - a huge pork knuckle (enough to feed two people), crisp schnitzels, sauerkraut, goulash and pierogi dumplings.

Christmas at the Polish Club

And in case you were wondering – some of us had no trouble finishing the pork or the beer!

John Poczynek, Doug Fraser & Nat Brancatisano

And that brings us to 2020.

We got off to another great start with ‘A Festival of Summer Food’ – hosted by Michael and Jo Glenday. Who could resist the smoked salmon terrine with cream cheese & capers by Jane Elliot, the tender lamb from Helen O’Neill’s kitchen and Paula Rowe’s tres leches cake for dessert?

Finally, we were looking forward to a Christmas Dinner in July back at the Polish Club with a quartet playing in the background … we will have to wait & see if that eventuates – if not this year there’s always 2021!!

Like to join the Cookbook Club?

If you are interested in trying out good food and interesting company, contact me on our Cookbook club link.

Meanwhile, our cooks have put together a collection of some of their favourite recipes to warm the cockles of your heart over the winter season. From hearty soups, to risottos and pasta bakes, some sweet indulgence and baking treats - even a liquer! We hope you enjoy these as much as we have putting them together. You’ll find information and links to the recipes at the back of the newsletter on page 12.

Happy Cooking and Bon Appétit to all!

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Wine Appreciation

Paula Rowe This very popular group has grown over the past four years from a humble dozen members to a very healthy sixty plus. The group meets on the last Thursday of every second month from 6.30 – 8.30pm. During the evening we taste a selection of wines accompanied by cheese and biscuits and of course lots of chatter and laughter. The aim of the tastings is to introduce members to wines they would not necessarily choose themselves. For each tasting, the convener chooses a theme for the evening’s wines. These might be local wines from different states or regions or from other countries. Two members volunteer to select and purchase two different types of wine - red, white, rose or champagne. The budget is kept at $20 per bottle or under. We discuss the style, color, taste and region or country of origin. Importantly we rate the wine by how many of the group like it and would purchase some. As you’d expect it’s always interesting to hear the different palate views.

‘Sommelier’ Ron Hutchinson Last October we enjoyed our first, fantastic excursion to Orange. Thirty-nine members came along for this three night getaway and in true Probus style enjoyed eating, drinking

(of course) and wandering around Orange and its historical attractions and cafes. With Covid19 and isolation we tried a Zoom evening for our April meeting. There was much discussion of the many budget wines sourced while spending hours walking up and down the aisles of ‘essential service’ establishments - Dan Murphys, Vintage Cellars, Liquorland, BWS etc. A fun evening discussing wines whilst drinking responsibly, staying safe and keeping our distance. Out of interest, we asked Steve Jurd to write about his wine of choice below.

My Favourite Wine

Steve Jurd

My favourite wine variety is Shiraz. For all round value & consistent taste I prefer Langhorne Creek in SA. I buy regularly from various vineyards in Langhorne Creek but always include Bremeview Shiraz from Bleasdale, a family owned winery producing great wines since the mid 1800’s . These are usually available from most of the main wine

shops at around $16 per bottle when on special. I enjoy the medium to full bodied taste & dark fruits of Bremeview - an excellent wine for its price. My favourite wine is actually the Yarra Yering Dry Red No 2 though a bit expensive to drink every day. I usually lash out & buy 6 of these each year and have never been disappointed. This is also a shiraz which is deep in

colour, rich, bold & fruity with a fabulous nose and will still be drinking well in 20 years. I have never seen it on special and it usually costs around $90 to $100 per bottle. Yarra Yerring is a winery in the Yarra Valley in Victoria and was established some fifty years ago.

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In Vino Veritas (The truth is in the wine)

John Langley

According to Persian mythology, wine was discovered by a woman. She drank the fermented juice from grapes stored in a jar, went to sleep and surprisingly woke up cured of a headache instead of suffering from the world’s first hangover, as one might have expected. Wine became the drink of the Gods, whether they were Egyptian, Sumerian, or Greek. The early deities of wine were often women, since they were also associated with fertility. The symbolism of wine, as well as its effect, became potent as it was adopted into religious ritual. After reading this my dear wife said, “Do you know men are really like fine wine? They all start out like grapes and it is our job to stomp on them and keep them in the dark until they mature into something you would want to have dinner with”!

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Musical Meanderings

Jan Sayers

Well so far in this newsletter we’ve covered food and wine and for many, music is a necessary accompaniment to both!

Music is after all a universal language that speaks to us wherever we are in the world, at any time of the day or night, no matter what we are doing, whether alone or with a group of friends.

Who doesn’t remember music from our childhood – ‘Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream etc ( though I was alarmed to discover they have changed the words to row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream, if you see an alligator don’t forget to scream!’).

Or the music we listened to on our crystal radios – I’m thinking Petula Clark and Downtown. Or other songs and groups: the Beach Boys Surfer Girl, Itsy Bitsy, Teeny Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, The Beatles

and their Abbey Road album or Saturday Night Fever with the Bee Gees.

Some will have a love of musicals and can rattle off the number of times they’ve seen My Fair Lady, A Chorus Line, Chicago, A Little Night Music, West Side Story, South Pacific, The King and I, or Franki Valli and the Four Seasons.

Or Jazz afficiandos will remember The Rocks Push, and Soup Plus in George Street or The Basement – underground, filled with smoke, and some of the best jazz ever - think the Don Burrows Quartet and James Morrison.

Whilst others will have enjoyed the music of La Boheme, Carmen or the Merry Widow or the unforgettable Three Tenors and their perfomance of Nessun Dorma.

Many of us will remember music associated with special times in our lives, be it a shared love for a song as a couple, or music at your wedding, celebrating a special birthday or an anniversary.

Some of us have grown up playing a musical instrument, or learning to sing. Others can ‘play by ear’ or sing out loud, anywhere, anytime – including in the shower!

Music challenges our creativity and puts a smile on our dial. Some of us can’t live without it! Perhaps we have some budding choristers out there and could start a Probus Choir? All we need is a Convener and some smiling faces to sing the high notes or the low notes – wherever your talent may lie along the vocal register. Any takers? While you’re pondering that all important question, perhaps you’ll be inspired by the acclaimed Australian Dustyesky Choir.

And last but not least, Andrea Bocelli and the ‘Music for Hope’ concert at Milan Cathedral on Easter Sunday this year, is definitely a concert not to be missed and includes breathtaking views of the cathedral and Milan!

Happy listening!

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The Armchair Traveller

Krakow, Poland

John Pocsynek

Krakow was the previous royal capital of Poland. On the last four occasions I have stayed at a hidden gem called Dom Polonii, a government run hotel, situated on the Krakow Market Place - one of the main attractions of Krakow. It is a heritage building nearly 500 years old, with a restaurant and a concert hall where I was once lucky enough to attend a Chopin piano recital.

Krakow has much to offer and I have always stayed there for at least two to three days or longer, always finding something new to explore and visit. The Market Place, in the centre of the Stare Miasto (old Town) is surrounded by six thousand historic sites and more than two million works of art!

You can spend days just walking around the streets of the Old Town and visiting Wawel, the Royal Castle, St Mary’s Basilica, art galleries and much more. There are many restaurants, cafes and bars, some in cosy underground cellars. Our favourite is the Morskie Oko restaurant where they serve good Polish food and play Polish folk music. The last time we were there, we could not get into the main underground restaurant where the folk band was playing, so we ordered a cheese plate and a glass of wine and listened to the music coming from downstairs. The Cheese plate was the biggest platter I have seen with a huge variety and enough to be a meal on its own.

With my son and daughter, we did a guided bike tour of interesting and historic sites including Oskar Schindler’s Factory which is now a museum and a legacy of his deeds during the war. We hired the bikes from an agency just a hundred metres from Dom Polonii. Another luxurious way of seeing the Old town is by horse drawn carriage during the day and by night, showing the city in a different dimension. I use Google to get ideas to visit the many more historic and interesting places which are a short drive away. Just south of the Old Town is the Jewish District of Kazimierz. Kazimierz is now a bustling, bohemian neighbourhood packed with historical sites, atmospheric cafes and art galleries. For aviation lovers it’s easy to spend a whole day at the Military Air Force Museum. Try some of these self-guided walking tours online.

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A “must see” is the 13th century UNESCO world heritage salt mine in the nearby town of Wieliczka. The salt mine has breathtaking salt statues and an underground church built by miners over the past century.

Kosciuszko Mould is a historic monument built by the citizens of Krakow in honour of Tadeusz Kościuszko who was a hero of both Poland’s Wars of Independence and the American War of Independence. Australia’s highest mountain is named after this Polish hero.

I find accommodation one of the key worries when travelling. Easily solved when visiting Krakow as the only place to stay is the Dom Polonii because of its central location, luxurious setting and at a price that would surprise and please you. Dom Polonii have their own web site (turn on the Google Translate to view it in English). I recommend you ring them direct if you consider staying there. Put Krakow on your bucket list!

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Travel Memories of a 22-year-old

Marg Vella

We were four nurses travelling around Europe for 6 months in a Mini Minor with our 2-person floorless tent, on the roof rack. Having set up camp in the shadow of the

Matterhorn, we ventured into town to buy food. On our return, and to our great horror, we found the tent had been invaded by umpteen four-inch-long and one-inch thick juicy slugs. They were all over the walls and our sleeping bags!

Our screams caught the attention of an old Scottish chap, Cecil Black, camped nearby, who came to our rescue. Offering us soup and sympathy, he befriended us and invited us to visit him when in Dundee. And that we did. Three months later, with Dundee not too far off our route, on a Saturday afternoon, I rang Cecil. He was a 65-year-old widower, whom we thought very old! Cecil invited us for tea on Sunday at 5 pm. A bit taken aback by this future invite, as we had only intended driving through Dundee, the thought of a meal was too enticing, so we changed our arrangements.

At 5 pm we arrived at his big home and the food was a sight to behold. Cecil’s widowed

sister had helped prepare the feast and then another, after a drive in the country in his big Bentley. The premiere of “My Fair Lady” was showing in Dundee and within a flash, Cecil returned, after a phone call, with five tickets for that evening. The following day we were his guests at his favourite restaurant. Cecil was a Master Painter and ran big businesses. A really generous chap, quite a scream, and President of oodles of organisations – a real live wire! One of his pals was the Lord Provost of the Royal Borough, had he been 40 years younger, he’d have made a Scottish Lassie out of me! Thus …….

Last night we all “took tea” with

Cecil Black of Dundee, And tonight, we shall see The film “My Fair Ladee” A very lucky four are we

For once more we dine with glee, Our gracious host to be Cecil Black of Dundee.

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To finish off this little ditty, Which to me seems quite a pity

The Lord Provost of the City Whom we found so very witty

Entertained us all for tea Again, with Cecil of Dundee.

…………… If you’re interested in joining the Travel Chat group contact the Convenor here.

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Outing to the Lucy Osburn - Nightingale Museum

Connie Fraser History of the Museum Behind the sandstone facade of Sydney Hospital is a small wing named the Lucy Osburn-Nightingale Museum. In February 2020, a group of members visited this small museum, considered to be the birthplace of modern nursing in Australia.

The Lucy Osbourn-Nightingale Museum

The roots of the museum can be traced back to the tragedy of the Crimean War (1853-1856). During this war, Florence Nightingale and a team of nurses improved the unsanitary conditions at the military hospital. The soldiers were poorly cared for, medicines and other essentials were in short supply, hygiene was neglected and infections were rampant. Nightingale cleaned up the hospital, trained nurses and introduced hygienic practices such as hand washing. Through her and her team’s efforts the mortality rate of 42% dropped to 2%.

Nightingale had to overcome personal struggles to stand up to her wealthy and well-connected family who opposed her working as a nurse. She believed that she was called by God to devote her life to the service of others. After the war in 1860, she established the Nightingale Training School for Nurses at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London. Lucy Osborn graduated from the same Training School for Nurses and was handpicked by Nightingale to head up the Sydney Infirmary Hospital in 1868. Inside the Museum The museum is a fascinating time capsule with four originally furnished rooms used by Lucy Osborn, a large selection of artefacts, photographs, surgical equipment and nurse’s uniforms. Our group was shown through the different rooms by a volunteer guide, who was previously a nurse.

In the Matron’s office was a desk with artefacts used by Lucy Osborn, including a large key used to lock up the young nurses in the nursing quarters at 10.30 pm each night.

The Nightingale Wing Key

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Other rooms had displays of nurses’ uniforms, letters written by Florence Nightingale and other old medical equipment including some used to treat victims at the Granville Bridge disaster.

Sister’s Uniform The last room we were shown was the oldest collection of about 2000 morbid anatomy specimens in various stages of disease dating from 1890 to 1985. It was a bit stomach turning for some but fascinating for others. Osborn’s tenure of 16 years resulted in nurses being trained in Sydney. Her nurses moved across the nation, improving the standard of health care – so the Museum is rightly recognised as the birthplace of modern nursing in Australia. Their Legacy against COVID-19 This year is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale. Nightingale and Osborn had implemented procedures which are still being used to fight the global COVID-19 pandemic affecting more people than those injured in the Crimean war. As individuals we can wash our hands as a quick and effective deterrent against infection – a practice introduced by Nightingale. Whilst we are not locked in by the matron at 10:30 pm, we can observe lockdown and self-

isolation from the comfort of our own home – this will also stop the spread of COVID-19. Their legacy of improved hospital administration and modern professional nursing means that those who become infected with COVID-19 will receive effective treatment, hopefully leading to a favourable outcome. Boris Johnson (British Prime Minister) was treated at the same St Thomas Hospital (Nightingale designed the original wards there). Following his recovery, he said "I want to thank the many nurses, men and women, whose care has been so astonishing." In this the International Year of the Nurse, we say thank you to our frontline nurses. To Lucy Osborn and Florence Nightingale, we also say thank you for the many lives you have saved.

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Speaker Update

Geoff Barnsley Hi all fellow Probians, I would like to introduce myself as a new member of our Club’s executive team. My name is Geoff Barnsley and I am the

new Speaker Convener, which entails organizing speakers for our monthly meetings. However, the unfortunate job I have had to date has been to cancel speakers that had been arranged for meetings. Meanwhile, a vote of thanks to my predecessor, Victoria Mitchell for the great job done over the past 3 years. Regardless of when we can again interact with each other, I am always looking for interesting speakers into the future. We try to keep at least 6 months ahead and I will endeavour to give those speakers already cancelled an opportunity to reschedule their talk. If you know of anyone who you think may have an interesting topic to share with us all, feel free to send any details to myself at, geoffrey.barnsley@gmail.com and I will follow up with them. You will agree, that in the past we have had some very diverse and

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interesting speakers and it’s going to be tough to maintain the quality arranged to date, but I’ll give it my best. Future topics include:

• Sydney living museums

• Living life to the fullest

• Pine Gap

As well as those we have had to cancel and will try to reschedule…

• Airport slots

• The History of Mortlake

• Evolution of Humans

It’s difficult at this time to look too far into the future and provide any certainty to our Speakers but be assured that I will monitor the situation and be prepared whenever we can reconvene. In the meantime I hope you all stay safe and we can go back to the 3 F’s

Fellowship, Friendship and Fun.

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Quick Quiz

Wondering what the answer was to the quiz about these furry friends in the May newsletter?

They were attending a production of Billy Elliott. They are service / companion dogs in training to grow accustomed to the sights and sound of everyday life – including going to the Theatre.

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You’ve Got to be Joking!

Keith Stockall The Law Student A law student, having failed his law exam, went to his crusty old professor, who is renowned for his razor-sharp legal mind. Student: "Sir, do you really understand everything about this subject?" Professor: "Actually, I probably do. Otherwise I wouldn't be a professor, would I?" Student: "Ok. So I’d like to ask you a question. If you can give me the correct answer, I will accept my mark as it is. If you can't give me the correct answer, however, you'll have to give me an "A". Professor: "Hmm, alright. So what’s the question?" Student: "What is legal but not logical, logical but not legal, and neither logical nor legal?” The professor wracks his famous brain, but just can't crack the answer. Finally he gives up and changes the student's failing mark into an "A" as agreed, and the student goes away, very pleased. The professor continues to wrack his brain over the question all afternoon, but still can’t get the answer. Finally, he calls in a group of his brightest students and tells them he has a really, really tough question to answer: "What is legal but not logical, logical but not legal, and neither logical nor legal?” Much to the professor's surprise (and embarrassment), all the students raise their hands immediately. "All right" says the professor and asks his favourite student to answer. "It's quite easy, sir" says the student. "You see, you are 75 years old and married to a 30-year-old woman, which is legal, but not logical. Your wife has a 22 year old lover, which is logical, but not legal. And your wife's lover failed his exam but you've just given him an "A", which is neither legal, nor logical.”

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WINTER WARMER RECIPES

Thank you to the following members and their friends and family who have so generously shared some of their favourite recipes with us: Maria Bird, Jane Cook, Jane Elliot, Jo Glenday and Gilda McRobert. However, to comply with copyright legislation, we have only been able to include a couple of these here. The other recipes may be accessed online instead by clicking on the title or perhaps at your library.

SOUPS AND CHOWDER

Beef Cheek Minestrone Jane Cook sent in this hearty recipe – a meal in a bowl! Simple Seafood Chowder This recipe by Nadia Lim is a must for lovers of seafood and was suggested by Jane Elliot. Sweet Potato, Turmeric and Pumpkin Soup Looking for a variation of the usual pumpkin soup? Jo Glenday and Maria Bird both recommend you try this. Michael Smith’s Apple and Cabbage Soup This refreshing soup recipe was submitted by Gilda McRobert. Though seemingly not available online, it was originally published by Smith in his book ‘Fine English Cookery’ (Faber, 1977). More recently it can be found in Jane Grigson’s, The Vegetable Book. Although it’s not published online, you may find Grigson’s book in local libraries.

MAINS

Yotem Otolenghi's Brussel Sprouts Risotto Not everyone is a lover of Brussel Sprouts - but after you’ve tasted this recipe, as Gilda McRobert attests, you’ll think differently!! Please note, Gilda has an abundance of tarragon and she is happy to share this with members. Vegetable and Lentil Curry This recipe comes from one of Jane Elliot’s friends who has altered the ingredients as follows: use red curry paste instead of a mild curry paste; replace squash with green beans; replace canned tomatoes with 2 cups of chopped pumpkin. Lamb and Yoghurt Pasta Bake. This is a favourite of Jo Glenday who does her own version using different quantities for some ingredients i.e. 500 grams of minced lamb, 400 grams

of tomatoes and suggests replacing the breadcrumbs with polenta.

And for something sweet…. Moist and Delicious Banana Bread As Jane Elliot will avow there’s nothing nicer than a slice of banana bread – be it áu natural or toasted with a dash of butter. Thank you to Jane for sharing this recipe. Chocolate Fudge – from Jane Elliot’s Daughter Ingredients 600g chocolate - dark or milk or half & half 60g butter 400g condensed milk 1 cup of chopped nuts 1 tblspn Tia Maria Method Place all ingredients (except nuts) into microwave on high for 3 - 4 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon of Tia Maria or whatever you like. Add the nuts. Pour into a lined lamington tin – refrigerate. To serve: Cut into squares and enjoy! And to finish….

Limoncello Liquer From a friend of Maria Bird

Ingredients 1 litre of Vodka (80% alcohol) Grated rind of 4 lemons- best to use home grown lemons straight from the tree and free of insect sprays 1½ litres of water 700 grams white Sugar Method Mix vodka & grated lemon and store in the fridge for 2 wks. Shake daily. Boil water & sugar until dissolved. Cool. Sift through gauze Mix with vodka and lemon. Bottle. Makes 2-3 bottles. Store in a dark place for 2 months. To serve: Pour over ice.

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