A world of recipes

Finding international cuisine in cookbooks on Trove
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Our cookbook collection feature brings together hundreds of recipes from vintage Australian cookbooks available in Trove. As one might expect, many of these 19th and early 20th century cookbooks derive their recipes from colonial English and Western European roots. But, when you hit the books, you might be surprised to discover recipes from a range of international cuisines. 

Tuck into these recipes with us as we share some of the multicultural recipes we’re drooling over. 

Around the world in 8 recipes 

The Woman’s Mirror Cookery Book features a selection of 2,000 recipes from The Australian Woman’s Mirror. On Trove, you'll find a copy of the first edition, published in May 1937. A quick scan of the contents page tells us that this cookbook has us covered for every meal of the day – from pancakes for breakfast to ‘little luncheons’. You can also up your dinner ‘game’ and finish off with something sweet for dessert.  

Contributed from ‘representatives of foreign nations resident in Australia,’ the chapter on Foreign Dishes features recipes from almost every corner of the world. Find recipes from Africa, Asia, North and South America, the Middle East and Europe.

Top corner of an over book showing a contents page with the heading 'foreign dishes'
‘Foreign Dishes’, The Woman's Mirror Cookery Book, 1937, nla.obj-3079257154  

Travel around the world with these 8 recipes (we know, we know... if you go searching, we’re sure you can expand the list a full eighty to appease your Vernian sensibilities). 

  1. Afrikaans Beef Custard (Africa) 

  1. Dutch Pear Cake (Holland) 

  1. Chop Suey (China) 

  1. Sukiyaki (Japan) 

  1. Chili Con Carne (Mexico) 

  1. Doughnuts (America) 

  1. Ravioli (Italy) 

  1. Persian Chicken (Persia, now known as Iran)

Double-page spread of an open book showing a series of recipes
The Woman's Mirror Cookery Book, 1937, nla.obj-3079257154 

The book also includes a section on bush cooking and a note on using emu eggs (including how to repurpose the shell as bowls). 

More than you can chew 

The Kindergarten Cookery Book is a revised edition of The War Chest Cookery Book. Published in 1924, the book’s forward promises ‘about 100 new recipes added, including several tasty summer dishes and refreshing beverages.’ 

It also says that the book was published to raise funds for the Surry Hills Kindergarten – one of ‘twelve free schools and three playgrounds in the most congested areas in Sydney, where the children have no place to play in but the narrow busy streets with all their attendant evils.’ 

A deep dive into this cookbook has revealed multiple international chicken recipes. Chicken a la Maryland is a dish associated with the state of Maryland in the U.S. (it also sounds suspiciously like a precursor to the chicken nugget). For those who prefer their chicken creamier than crumbed, try Chicken a l’American. We only have two words for you: butter and milk. Seriously, look into this one. 

For a French roast chicken recipe, try Poulet Cuit dans sou jus. We think this cookbook features a typo though, because ‘Poulet cuit dans son jus’ (chicken cooked in its own juice) makes a whole lot more sense.

recipe called Poulet Cuit dans sou jus
‘Poulet Cuit dans sou jus’, Kindergarten Cookery Book, 1924, nla.obj-3201986737  

We’re also drooling over these French recipes for Croquettes and Chou fleur au Gratin. 

Have your cake and eat it too 

The Barossa cookery book is a selection of 1000 recipes, which appear to have been donated by home chefs to raise funds for the Tanunda Soldiers’ Memorial Hall. For the sweet tooth, the cookbook features several French macaroon recipes, including orange macaroons and a less traditional oatmeal macaroon. It also has no less than six different Apple Cake recipes, a Jewish favourite during Rosh Hashanah.

Cover of The Barossa Cookery Book, featuring an illustration of a women holding a book while mixing milk, flour and eggs in a bowl
The Barossa Cookery Book, c.1920, nla.obj-3201688389  

For a Northern European treat, you might try Uppakrakakor, a Swedish biscuit, or Jewish Biscuits. Also known as Jødekager, these are a traditional Danish Christmas cookie with Nordic origins.  

From the Netherlands, taste these Dutch Tea Cakes. Also known as Zoete Koekies, this is an old Dutch recipe made with cinnamon and almonds (need we go on?). 

Cinnamon lovers might also like this French Cinnamon Coffee Cake (there’s also a more traditional French Coffee Cake on the same page). Or for something fruitier, try a German Pound Cake. 

Crossing the Atlantic, you can also try your hand at baking an American Pumpkin Pie. A symbol of harvest time, this festive dessert is traditionally eaten during Autumn and early Winter (in the Northern Hemisphere) – for Thanksgiving or Christmas, for example. 

Last but not least, this Palestinian Smeed Cakes recipe uses just four ingredients: Semolina, butter or margarine, castor sugar, and your choice of nuts. It seems to be similar to Halawet El Smeed (a Semolina Pudding). 

That’s our fill for today, but you can enjoy more of Trove ‘a la carte’ with our cookbook collection feature, or simply search whatever you’re in the mood for from the homepage. 

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