When Mumford and Sons came to town

The population of our little country town was at least quadrupled this weekend when Mumford and Sons and other fabulous musicians performed at the Showground – but even better than that our kids, Ella and Ky, came home for the concert with a band of friends. They were so encouraging about Ruby Borrowdale’s “Golden Circle Tropical Recipe” book that I chose one of the more unique recipes to taste test - the Crispy Franks were surprisingly well received, or they were very hungry, I’m not sure.

Ella was (who isn’t) keen to try Jellied Pineapple Slices and the shared perception was that they tasted like “jelly and pineapple”, Anne.

“Pineapple party time . . . fruity fun starters.”

Island Sparkler.

Place contents of 440g can Golden Circle Crushed Pineapple in saucepan with ½ cup sugar. Cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Remove from stove, add grated rind and juice of 1 large lemon. Cover, cool and refrigerate. To serve, place dstsp syrup in glass, add soft drink and scoop of ice cream.

Crispy Franks.

440g can Golden Circle Pineapple Pieces, 6 frankfurts, ½ cup tomato or mustard sauce,n1 mcup fine dry breadcrumbs, small wooden skewers.

Slice frankfurts almost through from side to side. Insert wooden skewers. Spread each with sauce and then roll in fine, dry breadcrumbs. Arrange in foil-lines pan. Press pineapple pieces into the slits in frankfurts. Bake in moderate oven (150°C) about 20 minutes. Serve hot with additional sauce. Can be pan-fried at barbecue in melted butter for about 10 minutes on each side.

Savoury Kebobs.

440g can Golden Circle Pineapple Pieces, ¼ cup soy sauce, 1 clove garlic, crushed, 1 tspn chopped green ginger, ½ kilo round steak, cubed, 20 stuffed olives.

Reserve ½ cup syrup from pineapple and combine with soy sauce, garlic and ginger. Pour over meat cubes and set aside for at least 1 hour. Thread meat cubes on skewers, alternating with pineapple pieces and stuffed olives. Grill 10 to 20 minutes and serve very hot. Allow two skewers per serve.