Outdoors indulgence

OUT and ABOUT

Cruising on water is without doubt soothing to the soul and a houseboat cruise on lovely Lake Kariba is the perfect way to get a foretaste of summer. Within half an hour of embarking on Philippa at Andorra, we could feel relaxation seeping into our bodies as we settled down in the warm sunshine with a cold drink (ordered beforehand and waiting on ice in the freezers) and nothing more to think about than the next meal.
With many houseboats to choose from I was lucky enough to encounter Off the Track Expeditions, agents for many Kariba Houseboats, at St John’s Fair last year. Passionate owner/manager Jackie Fingland, who brings enormous enthusiasm and knowledge to her job, really helped bring everything together as numbers fluctuated over the months.
Philippa turned out a lovely, spacious choice — sleeping up to 14 — with a neat well-fitted kitchen (galley you call it on a boat), two double and two twin cabins downstairs opening on to the side deck, and all the single guys accommodated under the stars on the top deck, but with plenty of warm duvets and blankets for the cool nights. Decorated in blue and white, with a splash pool on the lower back deck and fans and lights powered by inverters and generator, she became our home on the water very easily. Some people didn’t switch off entirely keeping in touch with sports scores and distant families through ipads and iphones picking up signal from both sides of the border. Not me — I was delighted to take the chance to extend the break from work and the real world a little longer. On our last night the engines of the kapenta boats with lights strung out across the lake like a little city reminded us of the need to earn a living — but while out on the water — the mind can be pleasingly empty.
We carried all our own food — not relying on the fishermen to feed us all. Just as well, though there were enough ‘keepers’ for a small meal of fresh bream, expertly cleaned and fresh fried for a lovely lunch. (Also possible to source catering services in Kariba)
The crew of three — captain, cook and deckhand took good care of us and I highly recommend this as a relaxing getaway and look forward to the next opportunity to return to the lake. (Find Off the Track at Borrowdale Race Course)
Returning to the city, I was pleased to get a recipe request for sweet potato pie from a regular reader. This is certainly the season to take advantage of these sweet tubers and turn them into different treats.
On the houseboat we ate them hot from the oven, accompanied by a relish made from caramelised onions, chillie and squashed garlic, roasted in whole heads along with the sweet potatoes.
When making a pie it’s certainly quicker to boil or steam them but I prefer the flavour and extra sweetness that comes from caramelisation during oven roasting. For the pastry base I use a favourite French short-crust pastry recipe — very easy in a food processor. Process 2 cups of plain flour, 140g butter, 1 Tablespoon icing sugar, and a pinch of salt into a breadcrumb like texture.  Add a beaten egg mixed with 2 Tablespoons cold water until mixture comes together.  Form into a ball and put into the fridge while you make the filling with 500 g cooked sweet potatoes, 2 eggs, ½ cup dark brown sugar, grated nutmeg and ¼ cup of cream.  Mix together and pour into the pie case.  Bake in a medium oven for around 45 minutes until set.
– g.jeke@yahoo.com