Thursday 23 June 2011

Retro pineapple food

Our friends Chris and Susan invited us to a pineapple dinner party a little while ago. We were asked to prepare a dish, however it had to be a recipe from a vintage Golden Circle Tropical Recipe Book. (The Golden Circle Cannery is like an institution in sub-tropical Brisbane)

We were all given our own personal copy of the book prior to the dinner party.

Vintage Golden Circle Tropical Recipe Book

The 'pineappley' menu for the evening was an interesting assortment of retrolicious food. And yes, every dish we consumed contained pineapple.

Pineapple dinner party menu

I had the honour of preparing the sweet potato casserole. It was layer upon layer of boiled (but I roasted instead) sweet potato and pineapple topped with fatty pork chops. It was actually kind of good in a heart attack inducing way.

As everyone said on the night, all the food was wholesome - the type of meal your elderly aunty from Queensland would make if you were invited over for tea. The key to success was to use the pineapple in syrup to get that extra sweet taste that some savoury food had back in the old days. Hmmm..syrup....as my fillings quiver in anticipation...

Pineapple in syrup
My favourite meal of the evening was the Pineapple and Lamb Curry that another guest made. She steamed some rice rather than serve it with the suggested egg noodle. I've made a chicken version of it which worked quite well too.

Pineapple and lamb curry recipe

Here is the Pineapple and Lamb Curry recipe:

Ingredients:
15oz can of Pineapple Pieces (in syrup)
2oz butter
2 medium onions sliced
1/2 red capsicum
1/2 green capsicum
1lb lamb, cubed
1 desert spoon curry powder
1 tbsp sultanas
1desert spoon rice flour/corn flour
1 tbsp chutney
1 tbsp coconut
1/2 cup syrup reserved from can
1/2 cup stock or water
salt and pepper
juice of 1/2 lemon

Method:
Melt butter,add onions and capsicums (cut in small wedges) and half cup pineapple pieces and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Remove and set aside. Brown meat in butter, add curry powder, sultanas, rice flour, coconut and chutney. Gradually add pineapple syrup and stock. Season to taste. Return vegetables and pineapple, cover pan and cook slowly for 1 to 2 hours, until meat is tender. Add lemon juice just before serving. Serve with fluffy boiled rice or noodles.

I warn you, this food is not gourmet...it's vintage comfort food at its tropical best.

As an aside, I had the pineapple cook book lying on the kitchen bench while Mr Rooney, our cordon bleu builder, was over having a coffee. He was taking a keen interest, flicking through the book for inspiration.

He emailed me recently to get the recipe for the savoury pineapple sauce for roast pork. Mr Rooney was having guests for dinner and he was cooking. He's a classic.

Also, if you'd like the recipe for the chocolate coconut slice from my previous post, just click here. It is a winner. Thanks again Natasha!

18 comments:

  1. Golden circle pineapple, yum. You can't beat a toasted Hawaiian sandwich in summer.

    I must admit that I have never crossed paths with this book, maybe they never made it down south? Tam x

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  2. Oh what fun! And were there pineapple bread sticks and pineapple garlic bread? And what did you wear? Padded shoulders, I do hope. I sure wish people would invite me to jolly parties like that. I would do some karaoke for them to repay their kindness.

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  3. Tinned pineapple. Such an underrated ingredient.

    What a wonderful dinner party idea. And so thoughtful of the hosts to provide the recipe book for everyone which makes it so easy.

    I heard somewhere that the Golden Circle factory actually sells more tinned beetroot than anything else. Yes.

    Let's hope none of us get invited to a Tinned Beetroot Dinner Party.

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  4. It's just a pity that Golden Circle doesn't feel as loyal to Australia as Australians feel towards the company!

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  5. I am sure my mum had this book...classic!

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  6. I love the sound of the cocktails. I was with you on the casserole until the chops came in. Reading Carmel's comment I am shocked - I'd love to be invited to a tinned beetroot party! Yum!!!
    Ps ta for the slice recipe x

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  7. Nothing quite like the old pork chop and pineapple syrup combo. I reckon all those bowls clubs that have gone all hip and funky with retro tendencies should whack a few of these treats on their menu board. melx

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  8. Priceless Anita. Now, if I could just get my hands on a copy of that recipe book ;-)

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  9. Such a cool idea for a dinner party.

    Pam x

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  10. That is fantastic. What a great idea.

    But the most important question is, did this swinging 70s night end with keys in bowl. Or were you all very 2011?

    xoxo

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  11. OMG! How Kamp! I love it. You have the best friends.

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  12. I'm not sure that I get this car key-bowl business.

    So what is the go? Everyone goes home in an unfamiliar ride?

    I can't see how that would work in the dark. The indicators might be on the wrong side of the column and the handbrake could be in an unfamiliar position.


    I doubt Craig Lowndes would approve.

    http://www.craiglowndes.com.au/sponsors.html

    For those interested in playing swappsies, I can heartily recommend the piquant pineapple and ginger sauce as the perfect substitute for the traditional apple job for roast pork.

    Best regards

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  13. How fun! kudos to whoever came up with the idea, because that sounds like a really amazing fete. It also reminds me that I probably should stock up on pineapple again.

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  14. What a fab idea on how to run a dinner party. Have noted that for future reference and thanks for sharing your recipe.

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  15. Heehee mr Rooney sounds fab! Havent had tinned pineapple in years..Please post the chocolate weetbix slice...sounds so good! May w you could sweeten it in...pineapple syrup! LOL!!

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  16. Your have very fun friends Anita. I started smiling just reading the concept of this party. I like pork very much, so your dish sounded delicioso to me!
    Did anyone make the blue hawaiian orange punch? ha!

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  17. Hilarious, i mean, how did anyone cope if they didn't like pineapples in the 60s & 70s?? I don't mind a good pineapple, but pineapple punch with franks for entree, stomach ache here i come, love Posie

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  18. What a fun idea! I bet there were alot of laughs. We often host a red wine dinner where everyone decides on a year and you have to bring a bottle of red from that year to share. Our last one was red wine from the year 2000. Let's just say there were a few sore heads the next day!!! Ange

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