Lamingtons

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="The Mongolian Lamington"][/caption]

"Let's try the new fast food joint next to the State Department Store" Thomo said. "OK" came the reply.

Peak was the name of the establishment. Through the front door, turn left for the pub, turn right for the fast food. Thomo orders the cheeseburger (note, they do not rate on the top 3 list). Chicken nuggets is the the other order. We finished the food. On a scale of one to ten, about 2.

It was then we noticed the stand that contained various cream cakes and other sweets. Tucked away in there was something looking very familiar to a Lost Aussie.

"Let's try that one" Thomo says to his companion. It looks a little like a type of cake from Australia. We tried it. It was. Slightly heavier than a sponge cake inside but the same flavour never-the-less. Then there was the chocolate icing and a sprinkling of desiccated coconut on the outside. Yes folks, it was a lamington. Here, in Ulaanbaatar.

For those of you not familiar with the lamington, there is a recipe at http://www.aussie-info.com/identity/food/lamington.php along with a brief history. Lamingtons are part of Australian culture now and are used in Australia as simple cakes, served at government functions in Queensland where they are said to have been invented, used for fund raising (the Australian Lamington Drive) or just make a nice cake to have with a cuppa (cup of tea)! For those interested in the etymology of the word, then the Australian National University maintains a history of most Australian terms, see http://www.anu.edu.au/andc/ozwords/May_99/6._lamington.htm

Even better if you can, find a lamington, make a nice hot cup of tea and enjoy this piece of Australian culture. If you are in Ulaanbaatar, get one from Peak, next to the State Department Store - a picture is attached :-)