New recipe form our friends at Riverbend Lodge

Hi Guys,

I thought that I should maybe post something on here for those who lover their food as much as travel.It is a recipe used to prepare a butternut risotto.

Recipes

Butternut Risotto (serves 6) http://www.riverbendlodge.co.za/

Ingredients

2 litres vegetable stock
1 cinnamon stick
4 allspice berries

Risotto:

45ml olive oil
250g Arborio rice
125 ml dry white wine
90g mozzarella
45g butter
2ml grated nutmeg
1 onion, peeled, finely chopped
360g butternut, peeled, cleaned, diced
5 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
60g grated Parmesan
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method:

Put the vegetable stock in a saucepan together with the allspice berries and cinnamon stick, cover and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the onion until soft, add the rice and the butternut and stir until the rice is thoroughly coated with the oil. Pour in the white wine and continue stirring until absorbed and then ladle the hot broth (stock) at approximately 1 cup at a time and stir continuously. When the rice has nearly absorbed all the liquid, stir in another cupful of hot broth. Continue adding liquid in this manner until the rice is tender but still firm to the bite. This will take 20 minutes. Do not let the rice dry out; risotto should be served very moist. Finish by stirring in the sage, mozzarella, half the Parmesan and the butter. Cover the risotto and let it settle for a minute. Adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Give the risotto one last vigorous stir and serve at once with the rest of the Parmesan.

Butternut Risotto with grilled scallops and prawns:
Grill the prawns and scallops on high heat.
Coat with a dressing made of soy sauce and olive oil.
Melt the butter with chopped chives and drizzle onto risotto.

Drunken strawberries with crème fraiche http://www.phantomforest.com/food.aspx

250g fresh strawberries
½ cup of red wine
½ cup of port
¼ cup of vodka
¼ cup of Pimms
1 cup castor sugar
1 vanilla pod split in half

Mix all liquid, vanilla pod and sugar in a saucepan. Heat to almost boiling
Remove from heat, add strawberries and allow to cool. The longer the strawberries are in the mixture, the drunker they get!

Serve with a dollop of crème fraiche.

Shopping List

Red wine
Port
Vodka
Pimms
Strawberries
Vanilla pods
Castor sugar

New Island Safari Update for November 2007

Hi fellow travellers,

Today I have another batch of updates to post on the blog.Recently we got a piece of news from one of our suppliers about a certain celebrity who stayed in one of their lodges.She is none other than Charlize Theron who spent 2 nights at Muchenje Lodges.Thanks for the heads up guys.Without further re due, here follows the updates:

Update 1:

Update On: Airlines

Update About: Botswana Airlines

Update Info: As Airlines are experiencing high volumes of valuable items going missing out of passengers checked in luggage, we are appealing to yourselves in assisting us to advise your clients of the following.

Air Botswana requests that the following items should not be included in their checked baggage, fragile items, money, jewellery, precious metals, negotiable documents, cameras, pocket computers, mobile phones and chronic medication. The airline assumes no special liability on such items.Please note this is Industry practise and passengers will be advised to claim through their personal Insurance.

Update 2:

Country: Zimbabwe

Update About: Rani Resorts

Update Info: Rani Resorts will open a satellite camp to The Stanley and Livingstone at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.The Old Ursula Camp will comprise four en-suite cottages, large lawns and pool that overlooks a waterhole.The camp was one of the original hunting lodges of the Matetsi region.The camp will open in January next year once an extensive renovation has been completed. It will, however, maintain its traditional ambience.Together the Stanley and Livingstone and Old Ursula Camp will accommodate up to 40 guests.


Update 3:

Country: Zimbabwe

Update About: Shearwater

Update Info: Please be advised that as of the 1st of December 2007, the child policy on the helicopter rates will change in Zimbabwe. The helicopter company will now charge FULL price for all passengers on the helicopter.Please make the necessary adjustments in your rates schedules.


Update 3:

Country: South Africa

Update About: Three Cities

Update Info: Shishangeni Private Game Lodge in the Kruger National Park has introduced a children's safari programme to entertain young guests while educating them about the bush. The 'Cubs Club' comprises a two-day programme co-ordinated by a trained and reliable youth ranger. Some of the activities included in the programme are making chocolate animals, a kiddie’s afternoon game drive, a safari walk to spot butterflies and insects, and outdoor games. Each member of the club will receive a survival pack containing a pair of binoculars, a water bottle, workbook, crayons and a cap.

Update 4:

Country:Mauritius

Update About: Beachcomber

Update Info: The five-star Shandrani Hotel has become the first five-star fully inclusive hotel, not only within the Beachcomber group, but in Mauritius. The fully inclusive package, Serenity Plus, is described by Beachcomber as a “no-holds-barred, fully inclusive package that not only includes food and beverages, but also top-brand-name drinks and even French champagne”. Beachcomber says: “The bar is always open for drinks, snacks, beach and poolsid service. Even the mini-bar is included.” Each adult gets a free massage, and certificated divers may explore to their hearts’ content at no extra charge.

Also launched today was Beachcomber’s optional, fully inclusive Serenity package to Le Victoria.

Update 5:

Country:Mozambique

Update About: Quilalea

Update Info: Closed during November for renovations. The roofs of all the villas and the main building are being re-thatched. Private decks with sun loungers and umbrellas are being added to all the villas.The resort’s bar and lounge will also be refurbished. The main pool will be doubled in size and a surrounding deck will be added to it. New sun loungers and umbrellas will also be added to this area.

Update 6:

Country:Seychelles

Update About: Fregate

Update Info: Herewith we would like to inform you about the newly introduced Passenger Service Fee of 2 EUR for flights from Mahé and Praslin to any other Island (only this direction) operated by the Twin Otter Plane.The fee will be collected by Frégate Island Private when the guests check out.Please note that this fee is also applicable for existing reservations.

The fee is not applicable for the Helicopter transfer.