“My Mother’s Kitchen” – a Recipe Swap

New Farm Library hosted an interesting morning this week “My Mother’s Kitchen”.

The idea was to re-live the memories of childhood.  I quote “Pick your favourite of the classic recipes that were handed down to you, and bring a copy of the recipe to swap with others over morning tea.”  It made for an interesting mix of recipes.

Nadira bought along a Sri Lankan curry; Santina shared with us her Italian baked pasta dish; Halina and Urszula served a selection of savoury Polish dishes. All were delicious and varied and gave an insight into other cultures.

We followed with a selection of ‘sweets’ prepared by Monica and Barbara, Tatiana served her Auntie’s Russian Masurka cake and Australian Lamingtons, and I baked my mothers Bread Pudding – solid English fare.

The table was decorated with produce from Tatiana’s garden and there was a big selection of cook books on display from the library.  I was able to load myself up with a bag full of cook books to gorge on. Don’t think I could manage to satisfy my urge for cook books without my library card.

Talking of cook books what I didn’t realise was that Monica and Barbara were published authors and had produced a cook book of their own.  Barbara would be remembered by students at All Hallows School in Brisbane as nun Sister Mary Basil. And that is how she met Monica who was a pupil at the school, and whom she taught.

The cookbook “Basil Over Time” (not Thyme) refers to Barbara as Sister Mary Basil, and I don’t think they could decide on “Time” or “Thyme”.  Either way, it’s a great little book beautifully illustrated and I’m looking forward to trying out the recipes Old and New. Here is the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed the morning, and would recommend it to anyone who is involved in a group and is thinking “what shall we do next”.