Our chefs at River Lodge know when to put on the Ritz and when to keep it simple, and summertime is the perfect opportunity to tone things down with quick and easy dishes to delight our guests.

Here’s the magic formula for lemon posset, one of our favourite desserts after a long day out in the bush.

Ingredients

• Zest of 4 lemons
• 225ml Lemon Juice
• 250g Castor Sugar
• 550ml Cream
• 3 Gelatine leaves
• 1T Berry coulis

Method

1. Mix the cream and sugar in a pan.
2. Add the lemon zest and bring the mixture to the boil until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes.
4. Add the gelatine leaves and lemon juice.
5. Strain into individual moulds and allow to set in the fridge.
6. Garnish with lemon rind or lemon slices and a few drops of berry coulis.

This dish is the perfect end to one of our hearty meals made from the freshest ingredients and served around the fire in the boma, but it’s also great for an evening meal around the pool wherever you happen to be.

Citrus in South Africa

Lemons might not seem like traditional South African fare, but in truth, they’ve been on more South African safaris than you think. Lemons were first introduced into the country way back when as one of the citrus fruits kept on board ships to guard against scurvy, they were on board with the first explorers to land here in the 1600s.

Before long, these adaptable little fruits were being grown wherever settlers laid down their claims and today, South Africa is a major exporter of citrus fruit and Hoedspruit – the closest town to Thornybush Game Reserve, is one of the biggest citrus fruit growing areas!

No British colonist worth their salt was without a hand stash of lemons to garnish their G&T. They also had a place on the battlefront for Britons expanding the realm as well as pioneers heading off to new horizons.

An abundance of lemons meant that they soon found their way into several enigmatic South African dishes like lemon meringue pie and lemon-and-garlic everything from prawns to chicken.

Get Your Share

If you’d like to sample some of this unique and delicious fare, get in touch to book your South African safari with Thornybush Collection. We can promise you an abundance of lemon-garnished G&Ts in unforgettable sunset locations and delectable meals incorporating the best tastes from around the world.