Happy Australia Day!

Here in Brisbane we have had torrential rain most of the day today; the effects of the tropical cyclone which has been coming down the Queensland coast all week.  All the traditions of picnics in the park, camping trips and barbecues for Australia Day have been mostly rained out here!  However our extended family did manage a lovely day and a traditional aussie lunch on the verandah; complete with barbecued lamb chops, and dessert choices of pavlova or lamingtons.

Lamingtons image via Adeline and Lumiere

And if you are asking 'What are Lamingtons?' then have a read of Emily's Australia Day post on her blog Adeline and Lumiere.  Her recipe is a delicious and simple modern twist on the traditional.  

Lamingtons are basically a spongecake rolled in chocolate, and sprinkled with coconut and can be cut into smaller single serve squares of cake.  Yum!  

Lamingtons image via Adeline and Lumiere

As you know - it oftentimes does turn out that 'necessity' is indeed the mother of 'invention'.  So although there are many claims to the lamington's invention, to me the most plausible seems to be set right here in Brisbane. That the cook of Charles Wallace Baillie, Lord Lamington (governor of Queensland from 1895 to 1901), had nothing but stale sponge to serve at tea-time, to some unexpected guests.  

image via Gourmet Traveller

It would have been the late 1800's equivalent of TV show 'Surprise Chef' or 'Ready Steady Cook' where Curtis Stone or Ainsley Harriott would have to come up with something amazing from stale spongecake, cocoa powder and dessicated coconut - et voilà - the lamington was born!

Rain is coming down louder now, drumming on our tin roof, so much so I can barely hear!  Hope the weather is treating you a little more gently where you are...

Have a great Australia Day wherever you are!

Jennifer.

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