Passport for Your Palate-Lamington

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Lamington is an Australian delight. A sponge cake dessert, covered in chocolate, and then rolled in desiccated coconut. These little treats are part of every Aussie childhood. They appear at birthdays, morning and afternoon teas, fundraising events, and of course on Australia Day each January 26th.

I’ve enjoyed these delectable cakes on just about every trip to Australia, but my favorite time has to be visiting Kangaroo Island, South Australia. It was a trip in 2015 that I took my son, Cullen, on for his 18th birthday and soon to be high school graduation. We were spending a couple nights on the island doing tours with Exceptional Kangaroo Island, owned and operated by Craig Wickham and his family.

Day 1 was out day to go Koala spotting. Searching out koalas seemingly hiding in the high branches of the eucalyptus trees. During our outing we stopped at a billabong, where we did happen to spot several of our little furry friends, for morning tea. The guides had brought freshly made lamington to enjoy with our tea. I don’t know if it was the cakes were that much tastier or the venue we were eating them in was so much more intoxicating to eat them in. Either way they were truly a treat.

I reached out to a good Aussie mate of mine and asked her if she could point me to a good recipe to replicate this yummy treat. I share here with you the link to a recipe by Mardi Michels published in 2014 by Jamie Oliver. Mardi mentions that this is an adapted recipe of her nana’s. Give it a burl for your next celebration.

Homemade Lamingtons


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslPassport for Your Palate-Lamington
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Passport for Your Palate-Pot de crème

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In the spirit of February, a month know for romance, flowers, and chocolate, I thought I would share one of my all-time childhood favorite desserts that my mom would make. After all, Chocolate Day is celebrated the third day of Valentine’s week which we just celebrated last week. And, what says “I Love You” better than a box of chocolates.

Chocolate, at least in my world, makes everything better. Chocolate is my “go to” when I need an instant mood pick me up. It is like an instant shot of happiness. Best yet, there are facts that this delicacy really does have that ability to improve one’s mood if not provide much more. Chocolate actually has many health benefits that include regulating heart circulation, reducing cholesterol, and even aiding in weight loss. It’s celebration in use in February is tied to its reputation for being an aphrodisiac.

Pot de crème is a French dessert custard dating to the 17th century.

The name means ‘pot of cream’ or ‘pot of custard’ which refers to the little ceramic dishes the dessert is served in. One only needs a small amount of this lavishly rich flavored treat that is made with eggs and/or egg yolks, cream, milk, and chocolate. It is fairly simple, yet your family and guests will think you slaved over it. I had the pleasure of enjoying my favorite treat over the holidays, when my mother made it for me on my last visit to Vermont. Here is her version that I have grown up with and continue to devour and make for my family.

Pot de crème au chocolat

Ingredients:
1 bar (4oz) Germans sweet chocolate
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 cup cream
2 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1/2 tsp vanilla
Whipped cream

Mix chocolate, sugar, and cream in saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate melts and mixture becomes smooth and blended. Remove from heat. Slowly pour into egg yolks, stirring constantly. Blend in vanilla. Pour into small individual dessert dishes or demi-tasse cups. Chill. Garnish with whipped cream.

4 servings.


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslPassport for Your Palate-Pot de crème
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