A2A Safaris - Christmas Bakinghttps://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/tags/christmas-bakingenFestive Recipe: Edible Christmas Decorationshttps://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/festive-recipe-edible-christmas-decorations<div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p>Reindeer might have the monopoly on sleigh-pulling in traditional, snowy Christmas scenes, but here in the Serengeti, it’s the prolific plains game that are Santa’s preferred mode of transportation! Luckily, he has plenty of animals to choose from; the current Green Season sees thousands of antelope and wildebeest enjoying the lush grasses, and game drives...</p>
</div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/christmas-baking" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Christmas Baking</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/christmas-food" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Christmas food</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/recipe" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Recipe</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/singita-grumeti" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Singita Grumeti</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/singita-sasakwa-lodge" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Singita Sasakwa Lodge</a></div></div>Tue, 20 Dec 2016 07:00:24 +0000Anonymous1854 at https://us.a2asafaris.com/africahttps://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/festive-recipe-edible-christmas-decorations#commentsSweetness & Light: The Ultimate Afternoon Teahttps://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/sweetness-light-the-ultimate-afternoon-tea<div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p>For anyone with a remotely sweet tooth, Singita can be a bit of a dangerous place to visit! Apart from producing homemade game drive snacks, delicious breakfast spreads, creative lunch menus, dinner every day, and a variety of special dishes for guests with alternative dietary requirements, our chefs are also rather talented when it comes...</p>
</div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/experience" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Experience</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/african-christmas" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">African Christmas</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/christmas-baking" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Christmas Baking</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/recipe" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Recipe</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/singita-grumeti" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Singita Grumeti</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/singita-sasakwa-lodge" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Singita Sasakwa Lodge</a></div></div>Tue, 13 Dec 2016 07:00:53 +0000Anonymous1847 at https://us.a2asafaris.com/africahttps://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/sweetness-light-the-ultimate-afternoon-tea#commentsFestive Recipe: Fairy Light Cupcakeshttps://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/festive-recipe-fairy-light-cupcakes<div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p>The smell of gingerbread and cinnamon wafting from the kitchen is usually the first hint that the Singita team is gearing up for Christmas. Behind the scenes, recipes are being tested, decorations are being dusted off and carols are being hummed in preparation for the 25th of December. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be...</p>
</div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/african-christmas" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">African Christmas</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/christmas-baking" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Christmas Baking</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/christmas-food" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Christmas food</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/recipe" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Recipe</a></div></div>Fri, 02 Dec 2016 10:00:40 +0000Anonymous1844 at https://us.a2asafaris.com/africahttps://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/festive-recipe-fairy-light-cupcakes#comments‘Tis the Season: Joyful Preparations at Singita Boulders Lodgehttps://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/%E2%80%98tis-the-season-joyful-preparations-singita-boulders-lodge<div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/boulders_coll_3.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13805" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/boulders_coll_3.jpg" alt="Singita Boulders Lodge, South Africa" /></a></p>
<p>There is something naturally festive about <a href="http://singita.com/boulders-lodge/" target="_blank">Singita Boulders Lodge</a>; the rich, earth-toned colour palette punctuated by gleaming copper might remind you of a Christmas decoration or a plate piled with gold-topped mince pies. The recently refurbished lodge is set along the banks of the Sand River in Singita’s privately owned reserve within the <a href="http://singita.com/regions/singita-sabi-sand/" target="_blank">Sabi Sand Reserve</a>, and an inviting oasis, especially at this time of year.</p>
<p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/boulders_coll_4.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13806" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/boulders_coll_4.jpg" alt="Singita Boulders Lodge, South Africa" /></a></p>
<p>It’s the perfect location for a festive celebration; in fact preparations for Christmas are already well underway. The hard-working kitchen teams are in full swing, creating all manner of sweet and spicy treats for our holiday guests. Sous Chef Nico Meyer’s mince pies are one such example; a mouthwatering mixture of tender pastry and juicy fruit filling that flies off the long bar at tea time. He was kind enough to share his recipe with us and give us a look behind the scenes at the lodge’s festive season preparations:</p>
<p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/mince_pies_1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13766" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/mince_pies_1.jpg" alt="Mince pies at Singita Boulders Lodge, South Africa" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FESTIVE & FRUITY MINCE PIE RECIPE</strong></p>
<p><strong>TO MAKE THE FRUIT MINCE: </strong></p>
<p><strong>Ingredients – what you will need:</strong><br />
90g dried prunes, stoned<br />
90g dried dates, stoned<br />
80g sultanas<br />
70g seedless raisins<br />
40g chopped almonds<br />
30g chopped walnuts<br />
80g light brown muscovado sugar<br />
Finely grated zest of ½ lemon<br />
Finely grated zest of ½ orange<br />
Pinch each of cinnamon, clove and ginger<br />
2 tablespoons port</p>
<p><strong>Method – what to do:</strong><br />
Combine all your ingredients in a bowl and cover<br />
Leave overnight in your fridge to soak</p>
<p><strong>TO MAKE THE PASTRY:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Ingredients – what you will need:</strong><br />
200g butter<br />
200g icing/powdered sugar<br />
3 eggs<br />
500g cake flour</p>
<p><strong>Method – what to do:</strong><br />
Cream the butter and sugar together<br />
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition<br />
Add your flour until combined<br />
Tip out onto a lightly floured surface and fold until the pastry comes together, be careful not to over mix<br />
Wrap the pastry in cling film and rest for 30 mins in the fridge</p>
<p><strong>TO MAKE THE MINCE PIES:</strong></p>
<p>Heat your oven to 220°C<br />
Roll out the pastry to 3mm thick and Use a round cutter (about 10cm) to cut out your bases<br />
Place them into muffin or cupcake trays<br />
Put a small dollop (about 1½ teaspoons) of fruit mince into each<br />
Brush the edge of each pie with a little beaten egg<br />
Re-roll out the pastry to cut lids and press them on top to seal<br />
Bake until golden brown (10-20 minutes, depending on your oven)<br />
Dust with icing sugar</p>
<p><em>Don’t like raisins or sultanas? The recipe is equally delicious when these ingredients are substituted with dried cranberries! By the way, you can visit <a href="https://www.weekendbakery.com/cooking-conversions/" target="_blank">this site</a> to find a handy measurement converter.</em></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="http://singita.com/tis-the-season-joyful-preparations-at-singita-boulders-lodge/">‘Tis the Season: Joyful Preparations at Singita Boulders Lodge</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="http://singita.com">Singita</a>.</p>
</div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/christmas-baking" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Christmas Baking</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/christmas-food" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Christmas food</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/recipe" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Recipe</a></div></div>Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:39:49 +0000Anonymous1436 at https://us.a2asafaris.com/africahttps://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/%E2%80%98tis-the-season-joyful-preparations-singita-boulders-lodge#commentsFestive Recipe: Hazelnut & Coffee Christmas Cakehttps://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/festive-recipe-hazelnut-coffee-christmas-cake<div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p>What do you think of when you imagine the smell of the holiday season? For many of us, it’s the rich aroma of Christmas baking; cinnamon-dusted cookie dough, spiced fruits and freshly baked gingerbread. It’s not much different in the kitchen at Singita during December, as the chefs prepare to welcome visitors and families from all over the world to our uniquely African Christmas table.</p>
<div id="attachment_10193" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 640px"><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/christmas_cake_1.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-10193" alt="Fruit & nut tart" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/christmas_cake_1.jpg" width="630" height="473" /></a><br /><p class="wp-caption-text">Fruit & nut tart</p>
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<div id="attachment_10465" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 640px"><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/christmas_recipes_4.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-10465" alt="Festive Cookies at Singita Kruger National Park" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/christmas_recipes_4.jpg" width="630" height="310" /></a><br /><p class="wp-caption-text">Festive cookies</p>
</div>
<div id="attachment_10458" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 640px"><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/christmas_recipes_3.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-10458" alt="Hazelnut and Coffee Christmas Fruitcake" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/christmas_recipes_3.jpg" width="630" height="628" /></a><br /><p class="wp-caption-text">Hazelnut and Coffee Christmas Cake</p>
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<p>Here <a href="http://singita.com/regions/singita-kruger-national-park/" target="_blank">Singita Kruger National Park</a>‘s Chef de Partie, <a href="http://singita.com/?s=Christien" target="_blank">Christien Schrecker</a>, shares her recipe for Christmas cake with a delicious nutty twist:</p>
<p><strong>Ingredients – what you will need:</strong><br />
250g sultanas<br />
250g dried cranberries<br />
250g chopped dried peaches<br />
50g glace cherries<br />
250g hazelnuts<br />
250g pistachio nuts<br />
1 cup sherry<br />
1 cup brandy<br />
1 cup Frangelico (hazelnut liqueur)<br />
1 cup strong black coffee<br />
125g butter<br />
½ cup brown sugar<br />
3 eggs<br />
1 tbsp instant coffee powder<br />
½ cup warm water<br />
½ cup plum jam<br />
1 cup cake flour<br />
¾ cup self-raising flour<br />
1 tbsp cocoa powder<br />
1 tsp ground cinnamon</p>
<p><strong>Method – what to do:</strong><br />
1. In a large mixing bowl, soak the dried fruit and nuts with the alcohol and cup of coffee for 24 hours.<br />
2. After the 24 hours, strain the fruits and nuts and keep the liquid for later.<br />
3. Mix the tablespoon of coffee powder with the jam and water and keep aside.<br />
4. Cream the butter and sugar in a mixer with the paddle attachment until white and fluffy.<br />
5. Add the eggs, mix thoroughly, then add the jam and coffee mixture.<br />
6. Add the fruits and nuts and all the dry ingredients.<br />
7. Press into a greased tin and cover with foil.<br />
8. Bake the cake at 140˚C for 2 hours, then brush the cake with the leftover alcohol mixture when it comes out of the oven.<br />
9. The cake can get basted with liquid until all of it is absorbed, this can be done at 12 to 24 hour intervals over a couple of days.</p>
<div id="attachment_10468" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 640px"><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/singita_ebony.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-10468" alt="Singita Ebony Lodge" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/singita_ebony.jpg" width="630" height="410" /></a><br /><p class="wp-caption-text">Singita Ebony Lodge</p>
</div>
<p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/singita_ebony_2.jpg"><img src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/singita_ebony_2.jpg" alt="singita_ebony_2" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10472" /></a></p>
<p><em>We would love to hear what your favourite Christmas recipes are – please share with us in the comments! If you need any assistance with metric measurements, try this handy <a href="http://www.convert-me.com/en/convert/cooking/" target="_blank">online conversion calculator</a>.</em></p>
<p>The post <a href="http://singita.com/blog/recipe-hazelnut-coffee-christmas-cake/">Festive Recipe: Hazelnut & Coffee Christmas Cake</a> appeared first on <a href="http://singita.com">Singita</a>.</p>
</div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/cuisine" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Cuisine</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/kruger-national-park" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Kruger National Park</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/singita-lebombo-lodge" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Singita Lebombo Lodge</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/african-christmas" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">African Christmas</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/christmas-baking" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Christmas Baking</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/christmas-food" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Christmas food</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/cuisine" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Cuisine</a></div></div>Wed, 10 Dec 2014 10:27:51 +0000Anonymous1057 at https://us.a2asafaris.com/africahttps://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/festive-recipe-hazelnut-coffee-christmas-cake#commentsChristmas Continues at Singita Ebony Lodgehttps://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/christmas-continues-singita-ebony-lodge<div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/redvelvet_5.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8339" alt="Christmas at Singita Ebony Lodge" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/redvelvet_5.jpg" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://singita.com/ebony-lodge/" target="_blank">Singita Ebony Lodge</a> has been a hive of activity over the past few days. On Saturday, the team set about adding some festive flair to the public areas and guest suites with homemade wreaths and a dried thorn tree that serves as the main Christmas tree for the lodge. Tomorrow while the guests are on the evening game drive, each suite will receive its own small, decorated acacia tree while the wooden deck overlooking the Sand River is dotted with hurricane lamps that will twinkle in the enclosing dusk.</p>
<p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/redvelvet_11.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8335" alt="Christmas at Singita Ebony Lodge" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/redvelvet_11.jpg" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/redvelvet_21.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8336" alt="Christmas at Singita Ebony Lodge" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/redvelvet_21.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>They will return to find a carefully selected gift for each man, woman and child underneath their personal Christmas tree, as well as sparkling wine with the first turn down and cherry truffle at the second. The lodge will be brimming with festive cheer by the time they awake on Christmas morning, ready to gather together over candle-lit tables, open a few crackers and share in the wonderful spirit of the day.</p>
<p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/redvelvet_8.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8342" alt="Christmas at Singita Ebony Lodge" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/redvelvet_8.jpg" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/redvelvet_9.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8343" alt="Christmas at Singita Ebony Lodge" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/redvelvet_9.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>The kitchen team will serve a celebratory feast, along with extra treats throughout the day, such as these delectable red velvet cakes that are topped with gilded cherries:</p>
<p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/redvelvet_1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8333" alt="Red Velvet Cake Recipe | Singita Ebony Lodge" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/redvelvet_1.jpg" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Ingredients – what you will need:</strong></p>
<p>For the sponge:<br />
350g cake flour<br />
300g sugar<br />
5ml bicarbonate of Soda<br />
5ml cocoa powder<br />
250ml buttermilk or yoghurt<br />
2 eggs<br />
250ml vegetable oil<br />
5ml white vinegar<br />
25ml red food colouring<br />
5ml vanilla essence</p>
<p>For the cream cheese icing:<br />
500g cream cheese<br />
200ml cream<br />
100g icing sugar<br />
5ml cinnamon<br />
5ml vanilla essence</p>
<p><strong>Method – what to do:</strong></p>
<p>Preheat the oven to 180°C.<br />
In a large bowl sift the flour, sugar, bicarbonate of soda and cocoa powder.<br />
In another mixing bowl combine the buttermilk, eggs, oil, vinegar, food colouring and vanilla essence.<br />
Mix into the flour mixture and pour the batter into cake pans.<br />
Bake for 30-40 minutes then remove from the oven and allow to cool.<br />
For the icing, place everything into a mixing bowl and whisk until thick and smooth.<br />
Place into a piping bag and pipe onto the cake once the sponge has cooled.</p>
<p><em>If you’re a baking fan, you’ll find <a href="http://singita.com/?s=baking" target="_blank">plenty of delightful recipes</a> on the blog with an African twist to inspire you. Highlights include <a href="http://singita.com/blog/chocolate-and-walnuts/" target="_blank">Double Chocolate Walnut Biscotti</a>, <a href="http://singita.com/blog/let-them-eat-cake/" target="_blank">Apple Caramel Cake</a> and traditional <a href="http://singita.com/blog/christmas-baking-lamingtons/" target="_blank">Lamingtons</a>. If you need to adjust the metric measurements, here’s a handy online <a href="http://www.metric-conversions.org/volume-conversion.htm" target="_blank">volume converter</a>.</em></p>
<p>The post <a href="http://singita.com/blog/christmas-continues-at-singita-ebony-lodge/">Christmas Continues at Singita Ebony Lodge</a> appeared first on <a href="http://singita.com">Singita</a>.</p>
</div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/events" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Events</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/experience" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Experience</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/sabi-sand" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Sabi Sand</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/singita-ebony-lodge" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Singita Ebony Lodge</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/african-christmas" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">African Christmas</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/christmas-baking" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Christmas Baking</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/christmas-food" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Christmas food</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/driving-to-singita-sabi-sand" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">driving to Singita Sabi Sand</a></div></div>Mon, 23 Dec 2013 13:14:10 +0000Anonymous543 at https://us.a2asafaris.com/africahttps://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/christmas-continues-singita-ebony-lodge#commentsAn African Christmas at Singita Ebony Lodgehttps://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/an-african-christmas-singita-ebony-lodge<div class="body text-field" property="content:encoded"><p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ebony_3.jpg"><img src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ebony_3.jpg" alt="An African Christmas at Singita Ebony Lodge" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8309" /></a></p>
<p>It must be very unusual for most visitors to Southern Africa during December to spend Christmas in the sweltering haze of mid-summer. The only snowflakes to be found are made of icing sugar, and Santa’s reindeer are replaced by herds of zebra that graze the open grasslands of the <a href="http://singita.com/regions/singita-sabi-sand/" target="_blank">Sabi Sand Game Reserve</a>. </p>
<p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ebony_2.jpg"><img src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ebony_2.jpg" alt="An African Christmas at Singita Ebony Lodge" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8308" /></a></p>
<p>In the midst of the long, hot days, the team at <a href="http://singita.com/ebony-lodge/" target="_blank">Singita Ebony Lodge</a> commence their preparations for the festive season. As the original Singita lodge, the property is a blend of European heritage and African boldness, with the down-to-earth warmth of a much-loved family home. It is therefore the perfect setting for the Singita staff to spend Christmas with their guests, all part of a new extended family.</p>
<p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ebony_4.jpg"><img src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ebony_4.jpg" alt="An African Christmas at Singita Ebony Lodge" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8310" /></a></p>
<p>Lodge Manager, Tom Rutherford, describes this time of year: “It is a time for guests and the team to share a magical evening under the stars, listening to the sounds of the African drum beat around the fire and sipping on some special wines from our cellar. Guests will celebrate in true African style as each room is decorated with festively-adorned acacia trees, under which beautifully wrapped gifts await. The afternoon tea table is laden with appropriately themed treats like candy cane striped biscuits, and children help to bake cookies that will be used to decorate the main Christmas tree. Even the game rangers wear Christmas hats while out on safari! </p>
<p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ebony_5.jpg"><img src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ebony_5.jpg" alt="An African Christmas at Singita Ebony Lodge" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8311" /></a></p>
<p>One of the highlights will surely be the sundowner stop out in the bush on Christmas Eve, where the local youth choir from Justicia will perform. The evening will incorporate an African-styled Christmas menu with items such as braised lamb shank with cherry samosas and pumpkin fritters with fruit mince chutney, in our traditional Boma setting.”</p>
<p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ebony_6.jpg"><img src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ebony_6.jpg" alt="ebony_6" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8312" /></a></p>
<p>It’s easy to bring the magic of an African Christmas to your table with home bakes like these delicious lamingtons. Originally of Australian origin, and named for a governor of Queensland from the late 19th Century, lamingtons consist of squares of vanilla sponge cake coated first in a layer of chocolate icing and then rolled in desiccated coconut. These tea-time confections soon made their way to South Africa, where they are a popular bake-sale item and regularly appear on the afternoon menu at Singita Ebony Lodge.</p>
<p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/lamingtons_1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8289" alt="Christmas Baking: Lamingtons | Singita" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/lamingtons_1.jpg" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Ingredients – what you will need:</strong></p>
<p>For the sponge:<br />
680g cake flour<br />
800g castor sugar<br />
50ml bicarbonate of soda<br />
110g cocoa powder<br />
10ml salt<br />
900ml milk<br />
200ml oil<br />
45ml vinegar<br />
15ml vanilla extract</p>
<p>For the chocolate dipping sauce:<br />
375g icing sugar<br />
60g cocoa powder<br />
20g butter<br />
150ml water<br />
400g desiccated coconut</p>
<p><strong>Method – what to do:</strong></p>
<p>In a mixing bowl, sift the flour, sugar, bicarbonate of soda, cocoa powder and salt.<br />
In another mixing bowl, stir together the milk, oil, vinegar and vanilla.<br />
Making a well in the centre of the dry ingredients, slowly pour in the liquid mixture and combine until there are no lumps.<br />
Pour the batter into a greased baking tray and bake for 20 minutes at 170°C.<br />
Once baked, remove from the oven and allow to cool before portioning into squares.</p>
<p>For the dipping sauce, place the icing sugar, cocoa powder, butter and water in a small saucepan and gently heat so that all the ingredients melt together and become combined.<br />
Allow to cool slightly before dipping the portioned cake in the sauce.<br />
When the chocolate sauce is still wet on the cake, dust them with desiccated coconut and allow to dry</p>
<p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/lamingtons_2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8290" alt="Christmas Baking: Lamingtons | Singita" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/lamingtons_2.jpg" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/lamingtons_3.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8291" alt="Christmas Baking: Lamingtons | Singita" src="http://singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/lamingtons_3.jpg" /></a></p>
<p><em>If you like baking, you may enjoy our “Sweet Tooth” series from earlier in the year, in which we showed you how to make <a href="http://singita.com/blog/sweet-tooth-buttermilk-scones/" target="_blank">buttermilk scones</a>, <a href="http://singita.com/blog/sweet-tooth-rooibos-shortbread/" target="_blank">Rooibos shortbread</a> and <a href="http://singita.com/blog/sweet-tooth-giraffe-cinnamon-doughnuts/" target="_blank">cinnamon doughnuts shaped like giraffes</a>! If you need to adjust the metric measurements, here’s a handy online <a href="http://www.metric-conversions.org/volume-conversion.htm" target="_blank">volume converter</a>.</em></p>
<p>The post <a href="http://singita.com/blog/christmas-baking-lamingtons/">An African Christmas at Singita Ebony Lodge</a> appeared first on <a href="http://singita.com">Singita</a>.</p>
</div><div class="field-tags field-items"><div class="field-label">Tags: </div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/singita-ebony-lodge" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Singita Ebony Lodge</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/christmas-baking" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Christmas Baking</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/lamingtons-recipe" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Lamingtons recipe</a></div><div class="field-item odd " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/recipe" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Recipe</a></div><div class="field-item even " rel="dc:subject"><a href="/africa/blog/tags/traditional-baking" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Traditional baking</a></div></div>Thu, 19 Dec 2013 15:21:31 +0000Anonymous513 at https://us.a2asafaris.com/africahttps://us.a2asafaris.com/africa/blog/an-african-christmas-singita-ebony-lodge#comments