World's weirdest Lamingtons - and how to make them!

WORLD'S WEIRDEST LAMINGTONS

Do you fancy a musk, cherry ripe, popcorn, pina colada or tiramisu lamington?

In preparation for Australia Day, we originally intended to provide you with a funky lamington recipe to take to your mate's barbecue tomorrow. 

But then we found Mr. P, and the base fell out of the baking tin of our mind. 

This man is weirdo-lamington king.

For the past few years in a row, he's made it his duty to try and re-invent the Lamington. 

Now, don't get all uppity that a Welshman has taken this noble crusade instead of an Aussie - you should have had the idea first! 

Mr. P has opted out of his project this year, but that means it's the perfect time to have a little retrospective.

Here are some of our favourites:

- musk lamingtons- Cherry Ripe lamingtons
- a Prince-flavoured treat called a "Purple Rain" lamington
- popcorn lamingtons
- pina colada lamingtons
- and the likewise non-alcoholic 'lamingtini'
- baked alaska lamingtons
- frozen lamingtons
- tiramisu lamingtons
and even something called a 

- white blood cell lamington.

Lamingtons lamingtons lamingtons. 

Go crazy, and then cover it in coconut flakes

http://www.frankie.com.au/blogs/food/world-s-weirdest-lamingtons

Luscious Lamington Cupcakes

Add caption

Servings: 10

Time: 45 minutes

Difficulty: easy

Ingredients:

6 x happy eggs

1 x teaspoon vanilla bean paste

2 x tablespoons raw honey

1/4 cup macadamia nut oil

1/2 cup coconut flour

2 x teaspoons gluten-free baking powder

1/2 cup raspberry jam or preserve*

1 x cup desiccated coconut for rolling

100 g best quality dark chocolate, roughly broken up

1/4 cup coconut milk

Method:

1. Heat your oven to 160° C / 320° F. Line a muffin tray with 10 papers.

2. Throw your eggs, vanilla and honey into your mixing bowl. Mix on high for 10 minutes until light and creamy.

3. While the machine is still running, pour in the macadamia nut oil. Mix well.

4. Add the coconut flour and baking powder. Mix until thoroughly combined.

5. Using a 1/4 cup as a measure, pour lamington cake mix into your prepared muffin tray.

6. Bake for 15 – 18 minutes or until cooked through.

7. Fill a piping bag with raspberry jam. Stick the nozzle into the middle of each cupcake and fill with a healthy squeeze of raspberry jam.

8. While waiting for your cupcakes to cool, heat your coconut milk in a small pan until almost boiling. Turn off the heat and add your chocolate. Stir until you have a smooth silky ganache.

9. When your cupcakes are cool, spread a little chocolate ganache on the top of each.

Dip in coconut and pop onto a tray to set.

* check the labels for a preservative free, low sugar number

E N J O Y !

https://thissydneylife.wordpress.com/2015/01/26/luscious-lamington-cupcakes/

Easy Aussie Recipe: Lamington Cupcakes with Jam and Cream

How to make Australian lamingtons.

Summary: Ah, the pinnacle of Australian bake sales everywhere, the Lamington! Of course, I just had to make lamingtons for Australia Day. 

Did you know there is a lamington preservation society? 

There is and they have an article on the history of the humble lamington. 

I decided to make lamington cupcakes for two reasons – portability and so I could stuff them with jam and cream. And oh my, they are goooood! 

Like, sit down and eat one after another good. I will be making these again, for sure! 

Don’t be put off by the list of things to do, these are really easy, just a few steps. There is nothing hard to do but I've really broken down the steps. You could easily make the cake part the day before if you wanted to. This makes a perfect dozen.

Ingredients

For the cupcakes

• 115g salted butter, at room temperature
• 200g castor sugar
• 2 eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 180g plain flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 120 ml milk, at room temperature

For the chocolate coconut coating

• 500g icing sugar, sifted
• 35g unsweetened cocoa powder
• 45g unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 120ml milk, at room temperature
• 2-3 cups desiccated coconut

For the decorating – optional

• 200g raspberry jam
• 300ml cream
• 3 tblsp icing sugar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 180 degrees C and line a 12 muffin cups tin with paper patty pans.

In the bowl of your electric mixer,(or with electric beaters), beat the butter until smooth. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy (3-5 minutes). Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. 

Beat in the vanilla extract.

In a separate bowl sift the flour with the baking powder.

With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture (in three additions) and milk (in two additions), beginning and ending with the flour. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Evenly fill the patty pan cups with the batter and bake for about 18 – 20 minutes or just until set and a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely. 

Once cooled, remove paper party pans carefully before the next step.

Place the icing sugar, cocoa powder in a microwave safe bowl. Heat the butter and milk in a small microwave safe bowl until the butter is melted and pour into the icing sugar mix. Stir the mixture until it becomes smooth and of pouring consistency. 

Microwave the icing for a few seconds if needed but not so hot it would hurt if you stuck your fingers in it!

Place the coconut on a large plate. One at a time, dip the cupcakes into the chocolate coating and then roll the cakes in the coconut.Gently transfer the lamingtons to a clean wire rack to set.

Once the Lamingtons have set, use a small paring knife to cut out a teaspoon sized hole in the top of the cake. Go on eat the bits you cut out… Now fill the hole with raspberry jam.

Using electric beaters or a stand mixer with a whisk, beat the cream to soft peaks and sprinkle in the icing sugar. Pipe cream over the top of the lamingtons (or just make a move mound with a spatula). Store lamingtons in an airtight container in the fridge.

 If they last that long……

http://www.asksarah.com.au/recipe-lamington-cupcakes-with-jam-cream-happy-australia-day-to-my-fellow-aussies/

Baby 'Lamington' the first on Australia Day

Big Australia Day: Tullimbar Village
couple Jonathan and Hazel Munoz
welcome their third baby on
 Australia Day. 

Baby is nicknamed "Lamington".

The first baby born in the Illawarra on Australia Day was not named immediately, but in true Aussie style she quickly gained a nickname - Lamington, or Lami for short.

Born with a shock of dark brown hair covered with white specks of vernix - the substance that protects babies' skin in utero - Hazel and Jonathan Munoz thought it a fitting moniker for their new baby girl.

"Her hair reminded us of a lamington and so we've given her Lami as a nickname until we pick her proper name," Mrs Munoz said.

"She is our third child and my husband and I have a bit of a tradition of combining our names for our children's names.

"We'd come up with a few options but decided to wait and see whether the baby was a boy or girl and make our final decision."

The newborn, who arrived at 4.15am at Wollongong Hospital, couldn't wait to meet her parents and her three-year-old brother Jonzel and two-year-old sister Jolea. Due on February 1, she had other ideas.

Mr Munoz, a driver for Illawarra Radio Doctor, had just finished his shift only to have to get back in the car and drive his wife to hospital.

True Blue Aussie Lamington Cake

"I started to have contractions and my husband and I ended up getting to hospital around 3am; my waters broke at 4.03am and she was born just over 10 minutes later," Mrs Munoz said. "I was going to have to be induced early so I'm glad she came naturally."

The early arrival also afforded the couple some special treatment, with some sparkling wine from hospital management as well as a visit from Wollongong Australia Day committee member Robyn Hampton bearing gifts.

"I've got the best job on the committee - welcoming new arrivals every year," Ms Hampton said. "It's something special we like to do to signify the first new little person born in our city on this special day."

The Munozes received gift vouchers from My Baby Warehouse, Horizon Credit Union, The Palace Hair and Body, Fairy Meadow and a night's accommodation at the Novotel Northbeach.

Mum and dad also received Aussie flags, flowers and another bottle of sparkling wine to share, while their little girl received a commemorative silver spoon and teacup.

● Mr Munoz called the Mercury to share her final name - Joelle - a nice mix of Jonathan and Hazel.

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/2841860/baby-lamington-the-first-on-australia-day/

Classic Lamington Bars which won't fall apart

Lamington Bars

Classic Lamington Bars

Servings: 20 slices

These lamingtons are firm (so they wont fall apart when dunking) and perfect for lunchboxes or an afternoon snack.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 medium eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup caster sugar (sifted)
• 1 cup self-raising flour (sifted)
• 1/4 cup cornflour
• 25 g unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup boiling water
• shredded or desiccated coconut (for rolling)
• Chocolate Coating
• 1 cup icing sugar
• 1 cup dark chocolate (chopped)
• 2 tbs cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup cream

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Preheat an oven to 180°C (160°C fan forced) and line the base of a 20cm x 30cm pan with baking paper and grease and flour the sides.
• In a deep bowl beat on high speed eggs, vanilla extract and sugar together until thick, fluffy and increased in size (about 7-8 minutes).
• Place boiling water and butter together in a small bowl. and stir until smooth.
• Take 1/2 cup of egg mixture, and mix in sifted self-raising flour, cornflour and butter mixture. Then fold this mixture through the rest of the egg mixture.
• Pour into prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the top is golden and springs back when lightly touched. Use a butter knife to separate the cake edges from the pan, and invert carefully onto a wire rack.

Once cooled, cut into 20 lamington slices, dip into chocolate coating (see below) and roll into coconut.

Chocolate Coating

Place all ingredients into a glass bowl over a pan of simmering water and whisk until melted and combined, allow to cool slightly.

More recipes: http://www.fofoko.com/recipes/classic-lamingtons/

How to make Lamington Marshmallows

Lamingtons are such an Aussie Classic, but sometimes you just don’t feel like sponge cake. 

Sacrilege I know, but once you taste these Lamington Marshmallows you’ll understand why a modern twist on an old classic is OK once in a while.

These Lamington Marshmallows are my new favourite recreation of the classic Lamington. They are fluffy, crunchy little morsels of Aussie goodness. They taste just like a ‘Snowball’ – well a squashed Snowball at least – and they will be a hit with the whole family.

These Lamington Marshmallows are a bit fiddly to make. Just like normal Lamingtons, each piece needs to be dipped in Chocolate and rolled in coconut which can be a bit messy but eating the leftovers makes up for the required cleaning. 

Make sure the chocolate isn’t too hot as it will melt the marshmallow. 

I have made my own Chocolate (with extra coconut oil to help harden the coating). If you prefer, substitute the Coconut Oil, Cocoa, Maple Syrup and Vanilla for 300 grams of chocolate. This Chocolate will then need to be melted and have the extra Coconut Oil added.

Marshmallows are easier to make than you think, too. Once you’ve mastered the craft you’ll never eat a store bought one again. If you want to make these Lamington Marshmallows a bit different try using Chocolate Marshmallow instead.

So tell me, what’s your favourite Australia Day treat? Do you eat Vegemite all day or do you try and see how many sausage sizzles you can attend in one day?

Lamington Marshmallows

Serves 24

A fluffy twist on a classic Lamington

How to make: http://mummymade.it/2015/01/lamington-marshmallows.html

Cafes give Australia Day classics a healthy makeover

A traditional lamington.

Cannellini beans are not a usual ingredient in the classic Australia Day dessert, the humble lamington, nor is rice malt syrup or coconut flour.

But don’t tell that to Australia’s clean eating sect who are feverishly trading healthy lamington recipes on social media.

And by healthy we really mean bizarre.

A standard lamington. 

Lorna Jane philosophy blog Move Nourish Believe believes its lamington recipe is so good it’s worth sharing for the second year in a row.

The blog’s take on the humble sponge is made from a can of cannellini beans, eggs, baking powder, vanilla paste and maple syrup.

That’s right — no flour, no butter and no sugar.

Raw, vegan laningtons

On Freshwater cafe Bent Fork’s Instagram account, they’ve shared raw, vegan, dairy, grain and gluten free lamingtons available only today.

They’ve been getting rave reviews including Instagram user @zakwlsn who said “this is some seriously good stuff”.

Then there’s I Quit Sugar founder Sarah Wilson’s sugar-free lamingtons with rice malt syrup as sweetener.

I quit sugar, not lamingtons

Coconuts for coconut flour

Or There’s healthy chef Teresa Cutter’s version that uses coconut flour — which we can only presume is shredded coconut, shredded again.

But if all of that sounds a little too healthy for you, Donna Hay has an option that is as glutinous as it is unconventional — ice cream lamingtons.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/northern-beaches/clean-eating-revolution-sydney-cafes-give-australia-day-classics-a-healthy-makeover/story-fngr8hax-1227197013549

Classic Lamingtons made easy

Classic Australian Lamington.

Each year when Australia Day rolls around, we Aussie’s celebrate by feasting on the food that we’re well known for having… 

Big ol’ barbies, sausage sizzles, Vegemite sandwiches, meat pies with tomato sauce, ice cold glasses of Milo, a slice of Pavlova (even though it’s a dish claimed by the Kiwi’s!) and then, of course, there is the classic lamington! 

A simple sponge square lathered in rich chocolate icing and then covered completely in a sweet coconut crumb! Oh my!

Some versions of the lamington have either jam or cream sandwiched in the middle, but my little homemade ones are just the simple classic kind!

Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe!

For the sponge:

6 eggs

150g of caster sugar

50g of corn flour

75g of plain flour

50g of self-raising flour

For the chocolate icing:
500g of sifted icing sugar

50g of sifted cocoa powder

15g of melted butter

2/3 a cup of milk

160g of desiccated coconut (you may need more if it comes to it)

To make:

• Pre-heat the oven to 180C.
• Sift the three flours together into a bowl and then again into another. Place them to one side to be sifted for the third time into the mixture at the end.
• Next, break all 6 eggs into a large bowl and beat them together using an electric mixer for 10 minutes until they are thick and creamy.
• Gradually add the sugar one spoonful at a time until dissolved into the mixture.
• Sift in the flour into the mixture and then with a slotted metal spoon, gently fold the in flour.
• Pour the mixture into a pre-lined rectangular tin, carefully spreading the mixture into the corners.
• Place in the oven and allow it to bake for about 30 minutes.
• Once cooked, place on a wire rack to cool for a few minutes. Then gently remove it from the tin and peel back the baking paper to allow it to cool completely.
• Once the sponge is cool, cut it up into 16 to 20 equal squares.
• Make the icing by mixing the icing sugar and cocoa together in a large bowl. Add the melted butter and milk then mix until smooth.
• Using one hand, dip a sponge square into the chocolate icing, covering it completely. Drain off the excess and then toss a heap load of coconut all over it using your other hand.
• Place the lamington onto a wire rack to set and repeat the process with the rest of the sponge squares.

MAKES: 16-20 square lamingtons

Scrumptious Aussie lamingtons.

You can also watch how I make this recipe on my YouTube Channel!

Recipe inspiration has come from the book, ‘Baking Day’ written and published by The Australian Women’s Weekly.

Here are some home-truths about this recipe before you get started…

At the end half of this recipe, things can get quite a bit messy! 

You will end up dripping chocolate icing everywhere!

When I use the term ‘a heap load of coconut’, I mean it! You really do just need to cover the crap out of it to ensure the icing doesn’t drip off!

Don’t get too hung up about cutting the perfect sponge square! Life’s too short to be faffing about with that kind of stuff! The more lop-sided they are, the better!

Enjoy!!

https://onebakersdaughter.wordpress.com/2015/01/25/classic-lamingtons/

How to make Raw Lamington Cheesecake

Raw lamington cheesecake.

Hello whole foodies ♥ 

As today is Australia Day and I am going to a BBQ at a friend’s house here in Sydney, i was inspired to recreate a beloved, but sugar laden Aussie treat…the lamington, jam filled of course!

Behold the Whole Food Nutritionista raw lamington cheesecake! 

A coconut & cacao biscuit/cookie base topped with a layer of coconut and cashew filling sandwiching a layer of rasperry chia jam, then topped with a rich chocolate ganache and shredded coconut. 

The ganache is made super healthy by the addition of a creamy avocado, which i promise you can’t taste at all. This yummy treat is refined sugar free, vegan, raw, dairy free, gluten free and paleo friendly. No baking required which is a bonus in our summer heat (:

RAW LAMINGTON CHEESECAKE

Gluten free, Dairy free, Sugar free, Vegan & Paleo friendly

INGREDIENTS

Crust:

7 fresh pitted dates

2/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

2/3 cup macadamia nuts (can swap for pecans or walnuts)

4 heaped tbsp raw cacao powder

pinch of sea salt

2-3 tbsp coconut oil

Chia Jam:

1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries

1 tbsp chia seeds

1/2 tsp vanilla powder (optional)

Filling:

2 cups raw cashews, soaked in water for 6-8 hours & rinsed

1 cup coconut cream (or flesh of 2 coconuts blended with coconut water to equal 1 cup)

2-3 tbsp coconut nectar (or preferred sweetener)

2 tsp vanilla powder (or scrape 2 vanilla pods)

Chocolate Ganache:

4 heaped tbsp raw cacao powder

4 tbsp coconut oil

1 small ripe avocado

pinch of sea salt

6 fresh dates

1 tbsp coconut nectar (optional)

unsweetened shredded coconut for decoration

METHOD

• If using frozen raspberries be sure they have defrosted
• blend all jam ingredients and place in the fridge where they will thicken slightly
• in a food processor mix all the crust ingredients until they have a sticky, crumb-like consistency
• press mixture into a flan or springform tin (18cm/7 inch) and chill in freezer while preparing the filling
• blend all the filling ingredients until smooth and creamy
• spoon 1/2 the filling into crust and chill until firm
• gently spoon on jam layer and chill in freezer for at least an hour
• spoon the other half of the filling gently on top of the jam layer and chill until firm
• blend all ganache ingredients until smooth, scraping down the sides as you go
• layer ganache on top and decorate with coconut.

Enjoy!

May be kept in the freezer for up to 6 weeks, though thaw slightly before serving

Serves 12

http://wholefoodnutritionista.com.au/2015/01/26/raw-lamington-cheesecake/

Easy make: Gluten-free Lamingtons

Gluten-free lamingtons.

HEALTHY GLUTEN FREE LAMINGTONS

(Makes 25)

Ingredients:

Lamington Cake:

6 Eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract 

2 tablespoons raw honey or sweetener of your choice (organic maple syrup, few drops stevia etc)

1/4 cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) macadamia nut oil or your choice of (cold pressed coconut oil,

butter or olive oil)

1/2 cup ( 70 g / 2 1/2 oz) coconut flour

2 teaspoons gluten free baking powder

1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries

1 cup shredded or desiccated coconut for rolling

Chocolate ganache:

100 g good quality dark eating chocolate 70 % cocoa – finely chopped
60 ml Coconut milk

Method:

Make your lamingtons:

Preheat your oven to 160 C. Whip the eggs, vanilla and honey for 10 minutes until light and creamy. Pour in the macadamia nut oil with the eggs still whipping and mix well. Add the coconut flour and baking powder and mix until combined. Pour lamington cake mix into a square 22 cm baking tin lined completely with baking paper.

Sprinkle the raspberries evenly over the top. Bake for 35 – 40 minutes or until cooked through. Cool for 30 minutes before lifting out from the tin to completely cool. Divide cake into 25 mini squares.

Make your chocolate ganache:
Heat the coconut water or coconut milk if in a small pan until almost boiling. Turn off the heat. Add the chocolate and stir it through the coconut until you have a smooth silky ganache. Spread each square of lamington with a little chocolate ganache very lightly and thinly with a small knife on all sides. Roll in coconut and place onto a tray lined with baking paper to set. Enjoy. These delicious lamingtons will keep covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.

http://lekkerreseptevirdiejongergeslag.blogspot.com/2015/01/gluten-free-lamingtons.html

Lamingtons - A classic favourite made easy

Aussie lamingtons.

Happy Australia Day! 

Despite the recent Christmas break, I’ve been looking forward to a relaxing long weekend at home and this holiday has come at the right time. 

To feel the essence of this day, I decided to try and make a traditional Australian dessert – Lamingtons. 

It’s believed that the recipe originates in Queensland and it was named after Lord Lamington, who served as Governor of Queensland from 1896 to 1901, although it might have been named for his wife, Lady Lamington. 

It’s an iconic dessert and would be a perfect complement to any backyard barbecue. I hope you have a great holiday!

Ingredients (serves 12):

125g butter, softened, plus 1 tbs extra, melted for icing

1 cup (220g) caster sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

3 eggs, at room temperature

1 3/4 cups (255g) self-raising flour, sifted

1/2 cup (125ml) milk

2 cups (320g) icing sugar

1/4 cup (25g) cocoa

1/3 cup (80ml) boiling water

1 cup (70g) shredded coconut

Method:

Preheat oven to 180C or 160C fan. Grease a 20cm x 30cm lamington pan. Line with baking paper, leaving a 2cm overhang on all sides. Using an electric mixer, beat butter, caster sugar and vanilla until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in half of flour and half of milk until combined. Stir in remaining flour and milk. 

Transfer mixture to prepared pan. Smooth surface. Bake for 30-35 mins, until skewer inserted into centre comes out clean. Stand in pan for 10 mins. Turn onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 20 mins.

Meanwhile, sift icing sugar and cocoa into a medium bowl. Add extra melted butter and boiling water. Stir until well combined and smooth.

Cut cake into 12 pieces. Place coconut on a tray. Pierce a cake square with a bamboo skewer, being careful not to pierce all the way through. Dip cake into icing, then toss in coconut, to cover evenly. Place on a wire rack over a baking tray. Repeat with remaining cake. 

Stand for 1 hour, until set. Serve.

http://sokberry.com/tag/lamingtons/

Lamington Slice for Australia Day and any other day of the year

Today is Australia Day, and to mark the occasion, I made Donna Hay's Lamington Slice.

Lamingtons are an Aussie classic, but I was attracted by Donna's slice version, which is a twist on the original.

This slice was super easy and quick to make, although I found that I needed more icing than was stated in the recipe.

The resulting slice is true to the essence of a lamington, with a light sponge cake base, topped with moist chocolate icing and coconut.

The verdict - beauty!

Happy Australia Day to all of my Australian readers.

http://kitchenlaw.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/lamington-slice-for-australia-day.html

How to make Lamington Trifle

Lamington trifle - Great for Australia Day.

Lamington Trifle 

2 packets of lamington fingers, cut in half 

400ml cream 

200g marscapone 

1 1/2 cups frozen raspberries 

300g dark chocolate 

1/2 cup moist shredded coconut flakes 

Malibu (optional) 

Method: Cut the lamington fingers in half and set aside. 

Whisk the cream until soft peaks form and then fold through the marscapone. 

Add 2 tbsp of Malibu if you like, stir well to combine and set aside. 

Chop the chocolate using a food processor so that it becomes like chocolate sand. 

Alternatively you could grate the chocolate, keep the chocolate nice and cold if you use this method. 

Whiz the frozen raspberries in a processor so that they resemble raspberry rubble

To assemble: Create one layer of lamington fingers in your chosen serving dish. Drizzle a little Malibu over the top of the sponge if you like. 

Spoon half the cream mixture on top. Carefully spread to the sides with the back of a spoon and then add the chocolate, taking this to the sides also. 

Scatter half the raspberry rubble on top and then begin another lamington layer. 

Follow this with drizzles of Malibu, all the remaining cream, chocolate, raspberries and finish with the shredded coconut.

http://loveme-feedme.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/lamington-trifle-for-australia-day.html

Biggest Lamington I've ever eaten: HAPPY STRAYA DAY!

See what this kid devoured.

Australia Day: Making Traditional Lamingtons

Aussie lamingtons.

I guess this post will come to you all a little late in the day (I really need to get my act together) but HAPPY AUSTRALIA day to all my fellow Australians. 

It’s been a while since I posted but I thought Australia day would be a good time to get back into the swing of things.

This year has been busy so far as we’ve just recently moved house. Yes, unfortunately we had to vacate the first house we moved into when we arrived in Melbourne. 

We loved our sweet little home and I have so many fond memories from there and so many amazing food creations came out of that kitchen. 

However, to help me get over the move, we found a beautiful new house to move into, in the same suburb. I’m now well and truly over the old house, and am quite happy being a complete home-body over this long weekend! It’s also been a good time to test out the new kitchen.

Australia Day feast.

So I thought I’d test the oven this long weekend with a traditional Australian recipe – the Lamington. I had planned on changing up the recipe slightly but time just got away from me (not particularly because I was busy but because of my favourite past time – procrastination). 

So, these are just some straight up, nothing fancy, super tasty, lamingtons (although I have still been dreaming of my Nutella Lamintons I made on the blog – recipe found here).

Also here, I thought I’d just share with you some snaps I took while I was away in Tassie over the Christmas/holiday break. We went took a bit of a drive up the east coast to camp at Coles Bay and do the walk into Wineglass bay. 

This would have to be my most favourite places in the world. I’ve seen a lot of beaches on my travels and I still don’t think any other place is quite as clean and beautiful as Wineglass bay. Stunning. 

There’s also a great wine region on the drive up to Coles Bay that we popped our heads into called Miltons. We stopped for a quick wine tasting – they’ve got a really great Pinot Grigio. Augh take me back. And now look – it’s Australia day already.

Happy Australia Day again.

Traditional Lamingtons

175g self raising flour, sifted

1 rounded tsp baking powder

3 eggs, at room temperature

175g butter, softened

175g castor sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup cocoa

3 1/2 cups icing sugar

1/2 cup boiling water

1 tbsp butter

2 cups coconut flakes

1. Preheat oven to 170ºC .

2. In a large bowl add sifted flour and baking powder, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract and butter and mix well until combined.

3. Lightly grease the pan and divide the mixture evenly (I used a pan with small rectangular shapes or place it into one large square pan). Place it in the oven for 15-20 mins depending on the size of the pan. You should be able to smell the cake when it’s ready and the tops should be golden brown. Remove from the oven when cooked and cut into bite size pieces once cooled.

4. It’s best to leave the cakes overnight (normal recipes use day old sponge cake) so the cake is a little firmer. Next mix the cocoa, icing sugar, water and butter and stir until smooth. Pour the coconut into a small bowl. Take a fork and insert it into the cake half way and spoon the cocoa mixture over the cake, then dip it into the coconut to ensure it’s completely covered. Repeat with the remaining cake. Let sit for an hour or so to ensure the moisture sets back through the cake.

5. Best enjoyed on Australia Day after a delicious BBQ!

http://adelineandlumiere.com/2015/01/26/australia-day-traditional-lamington/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AdelineLumiereBlog+(Adeline+%26+Lumiere+%C2%BB+Blog)

Australia Day 2015: Whip cracking, lamington eating, thong throwing and barbies feature as Australians celebrate around the country

 Crowds gathered at the Australia Celebrates concert on
 the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra on Sunday.

Australia Day festivities have kicked off around the country with swimming races, lamington-eating competitions and whip cracking among events on offer.

In Queensland, locals were set to take part in lessons on whip cracking in Toowoomba, a great Aussie pie-eating contest on the Sunshine Coast, and an attempt to break the world record for the longest line of giant inflatable thongs in open water at Mooloolaba beach.

Ice-skating and tobogganing were on the menu in Rockhampton while thong-throwing competitions were scheduled in Cairns.

On Bribie Island celebrations were perhaps a little more sedate with a free barbecue breakfast followed by a lamington eating competition.

More than 4,000 people from 118 countries will become Australian citizens in 42 ceremonies in Queensland alone.

In Hobart locals were set to indulge in a very traditional Australia Day surf lifesaving carnival, which kicked off with an ocean race.

Other scheduled events included a junior nippers competition, treasure hunts, tug-of-war and an inflatable thong race.

Despite rain and chilly temperatures in Sydney almost 1,000 people jumped into Sydney Harbour before embarking on a 2.2 kilometre swim.

The morning began with an Indigenous ceremony and welcome to country, with both the Australian and Aboriginal flags raised together on the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

While the flags were raised 16-year-old call Atalia Sullivan from Orange High School in the NSW central west sang the national anthem from atop the bridge.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-26/australia-day-events-lamingtons-barbies-thong-throwing/6045616

What is a lamington?

Australian lamington.

A lamington is a dessert of Australian origin. It consists of squares of sponge cake coated first in a layer of traditionally chocolate sauce, then in desiccated coconut. 

Lamingtons are sometimes served as two halves with a layer of cream or strawberry jam between, and are commonly found in South African and Australasian outlets such as cafes, lunch bars, bakeries, home industries and supermarkets. 

A raspberry variety is also common in New Zealand, while a lemon variety exists in Australia.

The chocolate coating is a thin mixture, into which cubes of sponge cake (one cookbook states 4 cm per side) are dipped, and the chocolate is absorbed into the outermost layers of the sponge where it sets. (Similarly, the strawberry jam or chocolate icing is absorbed into the sponge.) 

The cubes are then covered with coconut and left to set.

More information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamington

Australia deserves a flag without the Union Jack - as true blue as the Aussie lamington

ACROSS the vast Australian continent today, from the beaches to the bush and from the suburbs to the outback, there will be one recurring image: the Australian flag.

It will be emblazoned across T-shirts and caps, worn as face tattoos. 

The Australian flag with the Union Jack
 adorns the humble Aussie lamington.

It will be stuck in lamingtons and adorn car rooftops. 

It’s such a pity. Let’s face it: the Australian flag is a relic of a bygone era. It has become an international embarrassment.

Its history has been distorted through a thick fog of nostalgia wrapped in fidelity to the mother country. It does not symbolise an independent nation with its own identity. It’s time we had a new flag to reflect modern Australia.

The official flag unfurled at the time of Federation in 1901 was the British Union Jack. The current flag, which is actually the blue ensign, wasn’t flown as the national flag until September 1901. It was chosen after a competition to design a new flag. But the British monarch didn’t “approve” our flag until 1903. It has been redesigned too; each of the six stars has had its points altered.

Australian troops have fought under various flags, including the red ensign, which was also popular at home. (My grandfather said he never saw a flag in the jungles of New Guinea during World War II.) It was not until the Flags Act 1953 that the blue ensign became the official flag, ending confusion. So let’s have none of the nonsense that the flag is sacrosanct and can’t be changed.

The central problem is the Union Jack in the upper left ­corner. It has to go. We are a multicultural country, not an ­appendage of Britain.

We should keep the red, white and blue colours to identify our British heritage. The Southern Cross and the Commonwealth Star, denoting our location, can be incorporated into a new design. But a new flag must symbolise contemporary Australia.

We have often changed our national symbols. Green and gold became the national colours in 1984. The golden wattle became our floral emblem in 1988. The opal was declared the national gemstone in 1993. Our first coat of arms was adopted in 1908 and ­revised in 1912.

For almost a century, the ­national anthem was God Save the Queen (or King) untilAdvance Australia Fair replaced it in 1984.

The Australian flag has often been parodied. US comedian Jerry Seinfeld called it “Britain at night”. Years ago Paul Hogan asked audiences why the British had cut out a corner out of our flag and made it their own. Apart from Britain, only three of the other 53 ­Commonwealth members incorporate the Union Jack in their flag (New Zealand, Fiji and Tuvalu). Several former British colonies have changed their flags.

They include Canada, which dumped the Union Jack in 1965. Across the ditch, conservative prime minister John Key has taken up the cause of a new flag for New Zealand.

“To me it’s an issue of building more overt signs of patriotism and being proud of who we are,” Key said recently. “It’s not about saying we should be somehow divorced from our history as a British colony.”

Indeed, Key is a monarchist. But he wants a flag that better identifies New Zealand on the world stage. Key says changing the flag is “about our place in the world and how we see ourselves … confident, outward-looking, multi­cultural.” He says New Zealand’s flag is often confused with the Australian flag; this isn’t good for either country.

Key faces strong opposition in New Zealand. But he’s pushing on. A cross-party group of politicians will appoint a panel to consult with voters and recommend a shortlist of flag options at a referendum this year. A second referendum next year will present two designs for voters to choose from.

After Key led the centre-right New Zealand National Party to a third election victory last year, he was lauded by many commentators as a role model for Tony ­Abbott. However, Abbott, a staunch monarchist, would never countenance changing the flag.

Last September, the Prime Minister celebrated National Flag Day in the forecourt of Parliament House. The Federation Guard was inspected, a band played and the flag was raised. The pomp and ceremony was laid on thick.

I don’t begrudge Abbott his fondness for the Anglo-Australian ­tradition. While his heart is warmed by the cherished symbols of old Australia, his head has wisely guided him to develop closer relations with China, Japan and India. His “Asia first, not Asia only” policy is sound.

Australia Day is the perfect time to question our symbols. It is a holiday that combines a carnival atmosphere with patriotism and reflection about our past, present and future. It is an opportunity to consider how to invest our national identity with greater meaning.

We should follow the lead of New Zealand and initiate a competition to design a new national flag. Public input would be encouraged.

A series of flag options could be put to a national vote. It would focus attention on what it means to be Australian, how we want to be seen abroad and what new symbols can unite us in the ­modern era.

Just because Australians today will be displaying our flag with pride does not mean they are enamoured of the design and resistant to changing it.

Just as Australians embraced a new anthem 30 years ago and have often changed their symbols, they will proudly wave a new flag.

Australia Day is an ideal time to restart the debate.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/we-deserve-a-flag-without-the-union-jack/story-fnbcok0h-1227196325922

Torah Bright among judges in Aspen, Colorado for the Neil Perry Meat Pie Contest with Vegemite and lamingtons

Torah Bright

The Australia Day meat pie competition in Aspen.

WHAT better way to celebrate Australia Day in Aspen, Colorado than with a meat pie contest?

Torah Bright was among the judges for the 2015 Neil Perry Meat Pie Contest, along with Perry’s wife Sam.

Torah Bright in Aspen.

Top chefs from the area cooked up the classic Australian dish. But it wasn’t the only themed celebration taking place there.

The Australia Day meat pie competition in Aspen with Torah Bright

On Australia Day itself — when it happens US time — there will be Vegemite and lamingtons on offer for locals.

Australia Day in Aspen.

The Australia Day meat pie competition in Aspen.

G'Day mate in Aspen.

Celebrating Australia Day in Aspen, Colorado.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/torah-bright-among-judges-in-aspen-colorado-for-the-2015-neil-perry-meat-pie-contest/story-fni0cvc9-1227196545150

Recipe for Australian Lamingtons - a sweet treat!

RECIPE'S PREPARATION

Sweet Lamington Recipe.

INGREDIENTS
16 piece(s)

Lamingtons
120 g sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste
50 g unsalted butter, , melted
120 g Self Raising Flour

Lamington Icing
25 g unsalted butter
160 g milk
500 g icing sugar
50 g Dutch processed cocoa
Shredded coconut to coat


1.
Preheat oven to 190C.
Butter and line a 20cm square cake tin and set aside.

2.
Place sugar into mixing bowl and mill 10 sec/speed 10.

3.
Add eggs and insert Butterfly.
Whip eggs for 7 min/50C/speed 3.

4.
Add butter and vanilla paste and stir through 5 sec/speed 4.

5.
Remove Butterfly.
Add flour and with dial set to 'Closed Lid Position' mix for 10 sec/ Interval speed. Finish mixing with spatula by hand if necessary.

6.
Pour into prepared tin, spin to level and bake for 15 - 20 minutes or until golden and springy to touch. Cool for 5 minutes before turning out onto rack to cool completely.
Freeze for 30 minutes before cutting.

Icing

7.
Place butter and milk into mixing bowl and cook 2 min/80 C/speed 2.

8.
Add sugar and cocoa and blend for 20 - 25 sec/speed 4.

9.
Trim sides of sponge and cut cake into 16 equal sized cubes.
Scatter coconut over a tray.

10.
Pour icing into deep bowl.
Using tongs, put each piece of cake into icing and coat liberally. Place onto coconut, push coconut up onto sides and on top to finish.
Transfer to flat tray lined with baking paper.
Repeat until all are covered, refreshing cocnut if necessary.

11.
Allow icing to set before serving.

http://www.recipecommunity.com.au/baking-sweet-recipes/lamingtons/17035

This takes the cake: Coles' back-to-front Australia Day cake with Tasmania missing

The back-to-front Coles' Australia cake with Tasmania missing!

"You had one job, work experience kid": The Coles bake that took the cake.

Poor Tasmania has floated away again. This time on a cake. 

Australians are known for being laid back, but they’re not usually known for being laid backward — until now.

A Coles bakery ‘Celebrate Australia’ cake has become the butt of jokes on the internet after a picture of this backwards bake was captured in Wodonga — with Australia reversed.

As it turns out Coles takes its geography seriously, responding on twitter with concern over a cake that flipped the nation.

When Coles responded on twitter to request information on where the cake was baked @Hindmarshjohn said: “My wife took picture in Wodonga Plaza store. ‘Please don’t sack anyone’ she says'”.

http://www.news.com.au/technology/online/you-had-one-job-work-experience-kid-the-coles-bake-that-took-the-cake/story-fnjwnhzf-1227195776057

Coles replied:

Coles Supermarkets        ✔ @Coles

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@Hindmarshjohn thanks for confirming! We just want to make sure it's addressed with the team so we can prevent similar instances. :)