Welcome to Retro Kitchen, the blog where we revisit the Aussie 1970s one recipe at a time. The author is a Sydney barrister who misses some, but not all, of the 1970s.
My Mum was a sensational cook of DELICIOUS everyday meals. The ingredients were mostly out of cans and from the vege patch, with meat from the local butcher. They were bound together with a shower of jarred spices, Worcestershire sauce and Heinz Big Red.
But Mum’s not the person she once was and might forget her recipes some day soon. How will I cope if I realise too late I just had my last apricot chicken or carpet bag steak? Shouldn’t the world know how FUCKING SENSATIONAL 1970s home cooking could be?
There’s only one answer. I have to write a blog and deliver Mum’s recipes free of charge to the world (until the million dollar book and TV deal). Even so, there are a few difficulties. Mum has no written recipes and does everything by memory, intuition and judgement. Also, I’m a very pedestrian cook and want the recipes to be open to someone similarly useless.
The solution to these difficulties is preparation and presentation. I’ll get Mum to cook each of her wonderful recipes. I’ll take notes and then cook the dishes myself, perfecting quantities and method. Then I’ll be ready for the gala performance. I’ll cook the dish a third time, presenting the steps of the recipe as a photo essay. Old Dad will take the photos.
Each meal needs to serve at least 4, cost as little as possible, and be able to be frozen so you can enjoy them again.
Find the full list of recipes here.
Retro Kitchen 