Monday, November 29, 2010

VeganMoFo: Cakey Treats From The Land Down Under

My goodness! Just look how far we've come! Today we land our hungry tummies Down Under! We're in Australia, mate! I suppose could have just picked up a big batch of kiwi fruits and called it New Zealand, but I'm not that devious.

My first thought was to make ANZAC biscuits, because I've heard so much about them over the years, but I've never had one. I even consulted with my real-live Australian yoga student. I drove all over town unsuccessfully looking for Vegemite. But, as I did all this rooting around... I learned about Lamingtons, and that pretty much sealed the deal! Chocolate-covered cake squares rolled in coconut?? Yes please! I used this recipe here.

First I made the cake, which was pretty straightforward to veganize. It's a little on the dry side, but I think it's supposed to be that way, from what I gather. I cut off the edges, which were a tad crispy, and cut everything into squares. One of the comments on the recipe site suggested freezing the cake squares before splitting them (to cut down on the crumbles) - I did this, and I think it was helpful. Then I split each one in half and put in a little layer of strawberry jam. Evidently, you can either not split them at all, split them and fill with whipped cream, or split them and fill with strawberry jam. I went for jam!

Here is my Lamington Assembly Station.
You gotta have all your ducks in a row! This Lamington business felt a lot like my Dominosteine adventure, so I felt like I knew (a little) what I was doing. You got all your re-frozen cake squares, filled with jam; your bowl of chocolate glaze; your dish of shredded coconuts; and a wire rack to place them on (with waxed paper underneath to catch all the drips and coconut shreds).
Don't they look beautiful? You can still see the flour and coconut shreddies on my cutting board! This platter of decadent yumminess is heading off to yoga class with me this morning. My Monday morning class has been benefitting lately... seems like I have the most time for baking on Sundays, and then a whole room of people to share with on Monday morning. Perfect!
Hey! How did Yummers get in there!?

Here's a look inside. Yummmmmmmmm. These Lamingtons are really rich! The cake is a refreshingly simple vanilla cake, light and perfect with the strawberry jam. Add on the chocolate glaze and coconut shreds, and you've got yourself a super tasty, super rich, and super messy little delight. I'm so happy to have discovered the wide world of Lamingtons!

So, tell me, Aussie Readers - how'd I do??
This is exactly what Mr. Vegan Eats & Treats looked like as he was eating his lamington(s). It was pretty adorable.

VeganMoFo is almost over... but don't unpack your bags just yet! We've still got one more destination... and then our trip home!

21 comments:

  1. Nice work! The jam is a modern (non-traditional) touch but provided you've used good jam, they're pretty tasty. The one way you could Australianise them a little further is by making them larger... because honestly, the more lammo in your hand, the happier you are. ;)
    If you want a good, easy recipe for Anzac Bikkies, email me!

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  2. Oh awesome awesome awesome!

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  3. Very pretty and they look delicious! Another stunning post on your theme; you really have all around the world in 30 days; so many interesting and delicious dishes and treats!

    I love your drawings! "Can I has a lamington too?"

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  4. These remind me of those what-are-they-called treats from Germany that you made, but even better! Want!

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  5. lol, just noticed that you mentioned the Dominosteines. Oops :)

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  6. ooh, those look so nice! i'm totally in awe of all your mofo accomplishments!

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  7. as an aussie I can say that they look pretty dang good! I love lamingtons and they're even better when they're fresh outta the fridge and really cold. YUM!

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  8. I've never had a lamington - I was vegan before I moved here, and I have yet to try making my own. But obviously I need to fix that! They look great. But you should definitely also try Anzac biccies, they are so simple to make but amazingly delicious!

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  9. I've been reading along this MoFo hoping that you would make it to us down here in Australia. And I am very happy you did - hurrah for lamingtons! I am a huge fan, I have only made them once since I've been vegan, but I used to love them when I was pregan.

    I highly suggest trying some Anzac biscuits too though - they are delicious!

    A while ago there was a thing in the paper about the US banning vegemite because it had too much vitamin B in it and only bread products could have high levels of vitamin B. Or something equally ridiculous. Which is a shame, because Vegemite is awesome.

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  10. I think you did pretty darn amazing! I'm an Aussi who prefers her lamingtons jam-less, but I can understand that there are people out there who like the extra kick of sweetness ;)

    I do believe these would pass wiht flying colours at my local cafe. Well done!!

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  11. Now I gotta find me a lamington. Looks amazing.

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  12. Wow - these sound delicious. What a lucky group of Monday morning Yogis - devouring all your delicious treats.

    I am looking forward to one more destination with you.
    Cheers and Happy MoFo.

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  13. Cat and kangaroo is excellent.

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  14. I'm an aussie and it looks like you did a pretty good job! Another thing that is often done is that you bake the cake the day before icing, so it dries out a little first. Or you freeze it as you said!

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  15. Anonymous9:45 AM

    I'm not an Aussie, but I still say you did a damn good job!

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  16. Wow, Amey -- what an impressive trip around the world! I really enjoyed your posts and cute drawings. You did an amazing job. Now it's time to put your feet up and order some take-out! much love to you!!!

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  17. First of all; I'm really impressed with your MoFo-project, you've been really ambitious and fool proof. Well done! It's been a pleasure to read.

    Second; those cookies (?) looks great! Very neat and perfect.

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  18. Anonymous4:47 AM

    I'm Australian and have never been a huge fan of the lamington (traditional without jam, huge as lamingtons) even though fresh lamingtons are pretty good - I know, I'm hard to impress or maybe shop bought ones just aren't as good as homemade!!! But I think your smaller lamingtons with jam may just make me change my mind!! Nicely done.

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  19. Hooray for Australia! Your lamingtons look fantastic and you are welcome to visit us whenever you can, as long as you bring some with you... it's mandatory! ;)

    Also, I have made some yummo Anzac cookies http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/15770/chewy+anzac+biscuits

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  20. I liked your black-eyed peas-spinach dish. I make something similar using this recipe. You might like it:
    http://www.vegrecipes4u.com/black-eyed-peas-methi-gravy.html

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