cooking around the world: Australia (part 1?)

As the kids read about exotic places far from our Midwest town, they are temporarily transported to another culture, climate, and landscape.  Why not add to their experience with a little exotic food?  Our menu could certainly use the variety!  This week they have been studying Australia, the land down under.  We've really enjoyed these Australian desserts.  And it has made me wonder, do Australians like coconut?  Oh, wait a minute...they grow there.  I'm so jealous!!

Anzac Biscuits
(Named after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) which fought in WWI.)

1 c. rolled oats
3/4 c. unsweetened shredded coconut
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter or margarine
1 T. honey
1 1/2 t. baking soda
2 T. boiling water

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Measure oats, coconut, flour, and sugar into a medium-sized mixing bowl.  Stir well.  In a small pan over medium-low heat, melt butter or margarine and stir in honey.  Place baking soda in a cup or small bowl.  Pour boiling water over baking soda and stir to dissolve.  Add to melted butter mixture.  Pour butter mixture over oat mixture.  Mix well.  Cover 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or aluminum foil (dull side up).  Drop teaspoonfuls of dough 2 inches apart onto sheets.  Bake 10-12 min. or until biscuits spread and are evenly browned.  Cool on bakin sheet for 1-2 min.  Remove with spatula and finish cooling on wire racks.

We cheated and added chocolate chips.  Yum!!

Lamingtons

These cakes are name after Baroness Lamington, wife of the governor of an Australian state in the early 1900's.  There was a recipe in one of the kids' readers, but I opted to make this one instead.  These are soooo delicious!!

Cake:
1 package yellow cake mix

Icing:
3 c. powdered sugar
1/3 c. cocoa
3 T. butter or margarine, melted
1/2 c. boiling water
 3 c. shredded coconut

Bake cake as directed in 9x13 pan.  When cake is cool, cut into 12 pieces, about 2 1/2 inches square each.  To make icing, combine powdered sugar and cocoa in mixing bowl.  Add melted butter and boiling water and mix until smooth.  Place coconut in shallow bowl.

Form an assembly line with cakes, icing, and coconut.  Using tongs, dip cakes into chocolate and cover all sides.  Next, place cake into coconut and roll to cover all sides.  Let cool on wire rack and repeat with remaining pieces of cake.  When all lamingtons are iced, put in a cool place until the icing hardens.