You've all heard of Vegemite (not for everyone) and shrimp-on-the-barbie (a must!), but Australia has a whole range of delicious specialties that are worth hunting down. These are some of the things I crave, and absolutely must have while I’m there:
Lamingtons
Affectionately referred to as “lammies,” these are squares of sponge cake, filled with cream, covered with chocolate icing and sprinkled with coconut. Your kids will love them!
Scones
Australian scones (rhymes with “bronze”, not “bones”) are known for their light, creamy texture – we eat them with clotted cream and jam.
Coconut Desserts
Coconut is a big ingredient in Australian cooking, especially sweets. Try coconut ice (a refreshing mix of coconut, egg whites and icing sugar), or chocolate crackles (made with rice cereal).
Aussie Lamb
Australia is a big producer of lamb, and it has long been a staple of the Aussie diet. Always fresh and high quality, it’s even more delicious in the hands of Australia’s new breed of chefs.
Shrimp on the “Barbie”
It’s not just an expression – barbecued shrimp with herbs is a local favorite (although Aussies are more likely to call them “prawns”).
Barramundi
Native to northern Australia, this is a popular sport fish – the saltwater variety makes the best eating. Other local seafood specialties include whiting, Sydney rock oysters, and Moreton Bay bugs (lobster).
