Dennise Hardie (Née White)

Dennise grew up in Boddington, both her parents coming from well known local families. Home, for many years was the delightful cottage on the corner opposite the doctor’s surgery. After attending Boddington school for her primary education, she and her sister Margaret were boarders at St Joseph’s, Victoria Square (Mercedes). after working in Perth, Dennise returned to Boddington in 1959 and worked as a receptionist for Dr Neil Same. Marriage to Tom, took her to the farming property “Warkeleny” at Dwarda, where they have successfully raised four children. Dennise’s interests in the community range from the hospital auxiliary, through to most sporting bodies. Although very accomplished with knitting needles and particularly the crochet hook, Dennise’s involvement with the BAC comes from her introduction to Book Club. Her future activities , she hopes, will involve more travel and enthusiastic response to the establishment of the new bowling club.

Katie’s Relish

The lady in question is Katie White, Dennise’s mother and a born cook.

Ingredients

2 kg ripe tomatoes

1 kg onions

1kg cooking apples

1½ kg sugar

60 g garlic

60 g salt

15 g whole cloves

15 g allspice

15 g whole peppercorns

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 cups vinegar

Method

Put cloves, allspice and, peppercorns in a sachet (a great use for odd socks, clean of course!), chop or mince tomatoes, onions, garlic and, apples. Cover with vinegar. Add sugar, salt and sachet of spices and, boil slowly for 3 hours. Add cayenne pepper 20 minutes before removing from heat. Warm jars and bottle while still hot.

Yummy.

Zucchini Cake

Ingredients

3 cups grated zucchini

3 cups sugar

2 packets walnuts

1½ cups oil

3 cups wholemeal self raising flour

4 eggs

1½ teaspoons cinnamon

Method

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour into greased baking dish. Bake at 160° C for approximately 1½ hours or until cooked.

This cake freezes beautifully.

Top with cream, chocolate icing or, best of all, cream cheese whipped with 1 to. 2 tablespoons of icing sugar and a dash of milk.

Date and Ginger Slice

Asked to help cater for an international meeting for the Riding for the Disabled Association in Perth and, being rather prone to failure in the cake department (Dennise’s words), she decided on the following quick, easy and, reliable recipe. Lady Kyle, wife of the then Governor of Western Australia was present and so impressed, she asked for the recipe to take back with her to England. Dennis, of course, was only too happy to oblige.

Ingredients

150 g chopped dates

⅓ cup sugar

3 cups cornflakes

120 g butter

60 g preserved ginger

120 g copha

1 cup drinking chocolate

drop of peppermint essence

Method

Put dates, butter, sugar and finely chopped ginger into a saucepan. stir over low heat until dates are soft. Add crushed cornflakes and mix well. Press mixture into a greased tray. Cool in fridge. Melt copha, add drinking chocolate and peppermint essence. Spread evenly over slice.

This slice is very delicious and very rich.

Recipes and Reminiscences

Recipe Index