L for

        

L for Lucas' Papaw Ointment

Invented by Dr TP Lucas over 100 years ago, papaw ointment is made from fermented papaw fruit.

The ointment is used to treat minor burns, grazes, gravel rash, nappy rash, cuts and chaffing.

I have carried a tube of papaw ointment with me since I started working, my family has used it for decades and will probably continue to do so. It is a natural product that has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties but more importantly – it works.

Chaffed lips? Whack on some papaw ointment. Nappy rash? papaw ointment. The list is long.

Have you ever seen the movie 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'? The greeks reckon Windex cures everything. Well here in Australia – papaw ointment is our Windex.

and Lamingtons

or Lammo's as they are affectionately called, are second only to the pavlova as the most iconic Aussie dessert. Lamingtons are a quintessential part of every Australian's childhood. They are sold at school fetes and bake sales around the country and although you can buy commercially made Lamingtons the home made ones are the best.

A lamington is a square of sponge cake dipped in chocolate icing then rolled in desiccated coconut. They are delicious. 
Here is the recipe, try it.

Ingredients:

2 cups of all-purpose flour       2 tsp of baking powder
1/4 tsp of sea salt                     2 large eggs
1/2 cup of room temperature butter
3/4 cup of white sugar              1 tsp of pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup of milk                           2 cups of icing sugar
1/3 cup of cocoa powder         3 tbs of butter
1/2 cup of milk                           Whipped cream for serving (optional)

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 350F (180C). Lightly butter an 8 inch square cake tin. Set aside.
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, use an electric beater to cream the butter and sugar mixture together until pale and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time to the butter/sugar mixture. Beat well after adding each egg. Add the vanilla to the mixture and mix well to combine. Next, use a spatula to alternately add the flour mixture and milk, in three additions, starting and finishing with the flour.
Spread the batter into the cake tin, making sure it's evenly spread.
Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes. Test the center of the cake with a toothpick and make sure it comes out clean.
Cool the cake in the tin for about 5 minutes and then invert it onto a wire rack to cool.
Once the cake has cooled cut it into squares of a desired size and place them in an airtight container. Pop the container in the fridge for at least 2 hours or even overnight.
Now for the icing. Place the icing sugar, cocoa powder, butter and milk in a heat proof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water.
Stir the mixture until it is smooth but still a bit thick. You don't want the liquid to get too thin otherwise the sponge cake won't absorb the coating.
Now it's time to assemble the Lamingtons. Put out some newspaper under wire racks to catch any mess. Place the cake pieces on the racks and have your chocolate icing and desiccated coconut ready.
Quickly coat the sponge cake on all sides in the icing mixture and then gently roll the cake in the coconut. Repeat the process.
The Lamingtons can be stored in an airtight container for 5 days.