Pineapple Punch

Adapted from South African Recipes facebook page

Ingredients:

2 cups pineapple juice; 2 cups orange juice; 2 cups ginger ale; pineapple and orange slices, cranberries for garnish; 2 cups of cranberry juice (optional)

Directions:

In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine juices.

Stir in ginger ale just before serving to keep the fizz.

Garnish with fresh pineapple and orange slices, and cranberries for a festive touch.

Pour over ice, serve and enjoy!

Caribbean pork with pineapple rice salad

https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/caribbean-pork-pineapple-rice-salad-recipe/t318v875

Ingredients

250g (1 1/4 cups) white long grain rice; 1 small pineapple, peeled, quartered and cored; 1 red onion, finely chopped; 1/3 cup shredded mint, plus extra to serve; 1 Lebanese cucumber, sliced; 1 red capsicum, chopped; 80ml (1/3 cup) lime juice 2 tbsp peanut oil; 500g pork mince; 2 tsp ground allspice; 2 tsp dried thyme; 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper; 2 tsp brown sugar; 250g cherry tomatoes, halved; 2 tbsp chopped salted roasted peanuts

Method

Cook rice for 8 minutes or until just tender (don't overcook). Drain in a large colander and cool slightly, separating the grains with a fork to release the heat. Meanwhile, chop 3/4 of the pineapple and finely dice remaining 1/4. Combine the finely diced pineapple, 1/4 of the onion and 1 tbs of the mint in a small bowl and set aside.

Combine the remaining pineapple, onion, mint, cucumber and capsicum in a large bowl. Drizzle with lime juice and 1/2 the oil, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Use a large metal spoon to gently fold mixture together.

Heat remaining oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add pork. Cook, using a wooden spoon to break up into bite-sized lumps, for about 5 minutes or until pork changes colour and most of the liquid evaporates. Reduce heat to medium. Add the spices and sugar and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add tomato and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until tomato has softened slightly. Season with salt.

Mix the rice with the pineapple and capsicum mixture. Spread rice salad onto a large platter or shallow bowl. Pile the mince mixture on top, then scatter with the pineapple salsa and peanuts. Serve immediately.

Pineapple Rightside Up Sugar Biscuits

from https://middleeastsector.com/pineapple-upside-sugar-cookies

Ingredients

For the cookies: 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons milk

For the topping: 8 -10 pineapple rings (fresh or canned), drained and cut into halves or quarters; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 10 maraschino cherries, stems removed

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and milk, and beat until combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Gently press the dough balls down slightly with the back of a spoon to flatten them. Take half of a pineapple ring and place it in the center of each cookie dough ball. Sprinkle each pineapple ring with a small amount of brown sugar. Place a maraschino cherry on top of each pineapple ring.

Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

These cookies are best served fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Pineapple Casserole

Ideal for incorporating festive season leftovers. Adapted from

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/214024/southern-pineapple-casserole/

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh pineapple, chopped & fried lightly in 1 tblsp butter; 1 cup chopped leftover meat ie ham, chicken or turkey; 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese; 2 tblsp pineapple juice;  ⅓ cup all-purpose flour; pinch chili flakes; ground black pepper to taste; 40 savoury crackers, crushed; ½ cup butter, melted;

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 175°C

In a large bowl mix together chopped, fried pineapple, leftover meat pieces, cheese, flour, juice chili flakes and black pepper.

Pour into a casserole dish.

Mix cracker crumbs and melted butter in a small bowl; sprinkle over pineapple mixture.

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes.

Pineapple Quick Bread

from Delicious Discoveries on Facebook

Ingredients: 2 cups flour; 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks (drained, reserving 2 tablespoons juice for the glaze); 1/2 cup sour cream; 1 cup sugar; 3 oz cream cheese (softened); 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 3 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 egg (beaten)

For the glaze: 1⅓ cups powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons pineapple juice (reserved from the can)

Directions: Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.

In a large bowl cream together softened cream cheese and sugar.

Mix in the beaten egg and vanilla extract. Add sour cream, ensuring a smooth blend.

In another bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually combine these dry ingredients with the wet mixture.

Gently fold in the pineapple chunks, setting aside 2 tablespoons for the glaze.

Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, leveling the top.

Bake for approximately 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Allow the bread to sit in the pan for 10 minutes, then move it to a wire rack to cool thoroughly.

Combine powdered sugar with the 2 tablespoons of reserved pineapple juice until smooth.

Generously drizzle the glaze over the completely cooled bread. Allow a few moments for the glaze to set.