AFRICAN NOEL

            December is the time of year when we're reminded of the greatest Gift of all times:

Christ the Prince of Peace.  For the past two years, in lieu of gift-exchange our group collectively makes a Christmas monetary donation to World Vision.

This time around, I invited my dear friend Anna Sosa to be our special guest as she has traveled extensively to Africa for World Vision . 

She gave us valuable insight to the dire needs of clean water in that part of the world.

The money we collected would be given to a water & sanitation project in Ethiopia.

In honor of Africa, we went out of our comfort zone and tried African recipes we found on-line (what would life be without Google?)...and had a tremendous time preparing & enjoying the meal! I have to say the ladies really knocked it out of the park in terms of their culinary stab at African cuisine.

Here's the menu:

Appetizer: Chakalaka from South Africa.

Salad: African Fruit Salad.

Entree: South African Curry Meatloaf over Brown Rice.

Side dish: West African Cabbage Salad.

Dessert: South African Pudding.

Beverage: South African Shiraz and Chardonay; coffee.

As we closed our small group's calendar year we thanked God for the gift of friendship, answered prayers and yes, clean water. Merry Christmas to all!

Festive Tablescape.

Chakalaka ready to be served.

Chakalaka served with bread sticks.
 

African Fruit Salad: beautiful and tasty!

South African Curry Meatloaf over Brown Rice, served with West African Cabbage Salad.

 

Wine pairing: South African Shiraz & Chardonay.

South African Pudding.

Miniature utensil Christmas ornament - a perfect gift for foodies like us.