day 6

 

wussp everybody and welcome to a world where every bite is a

celebration, and each dish tells a story.

New day New food New country (Australia)

 

1. Chicken parmigiana

This classic Aussie chicken dish – with roots in Italian-American cooking – is a staple offering at many pub menus in the country. Whether you call it a parmi/parmy or a parma (but never a parmo), there’s huge debate about where does the best parmigiana in Australia.

One contender, in terms of the holy mix of size, quality, topping and chips, is the Corner Hotel in Alexandra, Victoria. Dating back to the gold rush era, this hotel has award-winning parmas that are huge, source free-range chickens and have a house secret crumb. Eight options ranging from traditional Australian to vindaloo and the double banger await those keen to explore this sensation.

 2. Barbecued snags (aka sausages)

It’s no surprise that Aussies love to grill, and nothing is more important to a good barbie than a decent sausage – whether you’re at a mate’s place or at your local Bunnings for a sausage sizzle. Traditional Australian sausages are usually pork or beef, but if you’re feeling adventurous, there are other animals to sample. Wrap a slice of bread around your snag and top it off with some fried onions and your favourite sauce.

According to the Australian Meat Industry Council’s Sausage King competition, the best beef snags are found in Nowra, NSW, and the best pork bangers come from Mawson, ACT.

 3. Lamingtons

Lamington is recognised as the ‘National Cake of Australia’ after the National Trust of Queensland voted this sweet treat an Australian icon. It’s named after Lord Lamington, a former Governor of Queensland who apparently had quite the sweet tooth.

The lamington is a modest square-shaped sponge dipped in chocolate and coated with desiccated coconut. Other variations include two layers and a cream or jam filling – seen by many as a vital addition. They go perfectly with a nice cup of bush tea, or maybe one of Melbourne’s world-famous coffees, and are available in all good bakeries and cafes.

Although the cake is thought to have been first served in Toowoomba, the national success has seen it take off in cities across Australia. Flour and Stone bakery in Sydney’s Woolloomooloo is touted as one of the best places to sample this traditional Australian food.

 4. A burger with ‘the lot’

If tomato, lettuce, onions and a juicy meat patty just isn’t enough burger, then maybe you should try the Aussie gut-buster with ‘the lot’. Take a burger bun and stuff it with barbecued meat, salad, sauce and, for the Australian twist, add a slice of pineapple, some pickled beetroot and a fried egg. The perfect Australian food after a long day surfing or relaxing on the beach.

Every city, or even suburb, claims to have the best burgers in Australia, so finding the very best is tricky. Somewhere to start your search may be Easey’s in Collingwood, Victoria, a bar and grill that regularly wins awards for this Australian cultural food.

 5. Pavlova

Both Australia and New Zealand lay claim to inventing this famous dessert, created in honour of the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova’s cultural visit to Australasia in the 1920s. As a truly Australian after-dinner sweet, the pavlova’s crispy meringue crust, light fruit filling and whipped cream topping ensure it’s a family hit.

Australian food claims on this dish go back to the 1930s and Perth’s Esplanade Hotel. While that hotel no longer exists, the city still holds a strong claim on the dessert. Where you can find the best dish is still contested, but add your voice to the ongoing debate by trying the options at Whisk Creamery, C Restaurant in the Sky or The Treasury Lounge Bar.

 

Thank you for joining me on this delicious journey. Until our next culinary

adventure.