Merle's Country Show Baking

If you grew up in rural Australia, as I did, you would have certainly attended the country show. For many people it was the high point of the year. Even more so was the opportunity to put in an entry and perhaps find your cake or scones or knitting or embroidery on display for all to see with a coveted blue ribbon or a prize certificate beside it.

Most revered of all the cooks in country areas, then, were the 'CWA ladies'. The Country Women's Association prided itself on fostering the highest standards in its competitions, and you could be sure their sponges stood higher, their cream puffs were puffier, and their scones were - well, you just had to be there to know what I am talking about.

Fortunately the CWA has kept up with the times without letting their high ideals slip a notch, and Merle Parrish, from Cudal, in the Central West of NSW, is an excellent example of this. She has been baking competitively since she was seven years old, and is now a CWA judge. You can imagine how much in demand she is with her family for birthday cakes! But for her own 81st birthday late last year, Merle whipped up a little something for herself - this book, full of her prize-winning recipes, tips and hints.

The book begins, sensibly, with cakes, and Merle's no-nonsense country-style approach to the business, is evident in her Tips on page 2. It begins: 'The 'secret' to good baking is really just common sense and organisation - nothing too hard about that!' But there are some real 'insider' hints, too, such as when Merle is baking a cake for showing, she turns it out onto newspaper covered with a tea towel, as a wire rack wouuld mark the delicate top.

Using this book is like having your very own judge at your elbow. Cakes, bread, scones, pies, biscuits (iced honey jumbles, anyone?) and slices - they're all here with Merle's clear, concise directions and full page colour pictures. She's rounded her selection out with jams, marmalades, confectionary, more than enough to keep even the most industrious cook, or eager wannabe show entrant, happy.

Merle's Country Show Baking and other favourites, Merle Parrish, published by Ebury Press, 2013, paperback, A$39.95, ISBN 978 85798 109 7

 

-  reviewed by Sally Hammond

 

Add comment


Security code
Refresh

Related Articles

231_15676799571_5105_n

 

 

Www.Foodandtravel.Com.Au - Australia

Best Food Travel Website 2021

 


foodandtravel.com.au has been awarded

Best Antipodean Culinary Travel Expert, 2019

by the prestigious UK-based magazine...

 

 

 

Planning a visit to Kerala? The old port district of Kochi is well worth seeing, as well.

Our tuk-tuk driver, Shaheer, showed us the secrets of the narrow back streets. To contact Shaheer...

Email Shaheer HERE...

Mobile: 9946129040

More about Kochi...

 


 

LISTEN TO SALLY'S PODCASTS...

...from all around the world

Tune in and hear her talks on     

Radio 2GB 873AM....

 

 

WHO LIKES SWISS CHEESE?

Did you miss seeing the recent story of the Swiss festival of cows coming down from the mountains?

Read about it for yourself...

 


 

Denmark Delivers

Copenhagen's canals, a palace with pomp and cermnony, a kilometre-long shopping street, crayon-cooured canal-front dining...

...what more can a visitor ask for? Find out, because there is much more.

 


 

History and beauty with a dash of fun...

...and that's just the beginning of Armenia!

 


 

Zany Zadar & Croatia's north

Crazy and beautiful, a place everyone should visit.

Read more...

 


 

Lovely Lisbon ~ and beyond. Sardines and secrets!

Find out much more here.... 

 


 

Two virtual visits to Ontario

here....

AND

.....here!

 


 

Where is Tbilisi? 

Once you discover its beauty and history, you will be making plans to visit as soon as you can.

Read more....

 


 

Madrid the marvelous - so much to see in Spain's capital.

See it all here....

 


 

If you missed reading about Thailand's organic produce....

Here is the new link....

 


 

Here's something fun to check out!

The world's most popular surnames ....

...by country

 


 

~ Northern Spain ~

mountains and miracles - and much more!

After this journey, many people will never see the world the same way again.

 

Find out why....

 


 

Visit Portugal's beautiful

hearl....

Gondolas, cathedrals, cakes and a palace thrown in for good measure.

See for yourself!

 


 

And how about these vineyards in Georgia?

See other gardens in strange locations here....

 


 

 

Make your own food and travel videos? YES YOU CAN!

Gordon Hammond gives some insider tips.....

 


 

Travelling to Sydney? The northern beaches are spectacular.

See what we mean...

 


 

Hungary has something for every traveller.

Especially those who love good food...