Pineapple Delight

The pineapple is a symbol of welcome, warmth, friendship and hospitality.  The other day I welcomed three friends to an afternoon of "pineapple tastings".  I prepared a simple summer sangria, Fireball Pineapple Bites, and Pineapple Banana Bread.  

I brought my kitchen cart outdoors onto the back patio:

I made a simple Pineapple Summer Sangria, which was light and refreshing for a warm afternoon.

We noshed on Fireball Pineapple Bites and Pineapple Banana Bread.

I served the Pineapple Bites on little pineapple bowls and the bread on round pineapple dishes:

Last summer I grew Strawflowers and I used them to "pretty up" the bottom tray of the cart and the bread plate.  I am also growing them again this summer and they are perfect to use all year round as garnishes for food and drinks!

I stored ice in the "Wine Cooler" for our sangria:

Pineapple straws and stirrers kept in harmony with the theme:

After everyone left, I finished off the sangria, adding a little OJ to it!

All of the recipes are below.  It was a fun way to spend an hour or two catching up with friends.  CHEERS!

RECIPES:

Fireball Pineapple

Drain a can of Pineapple chunks and soak in 1/4 cup Fireball whiskey overnight.  Roll chunks in brown sugar and bake at 400° for 20 minutes.  Serve with toothpicks.

Pineapple Summer Sangria

1 1/2 bottles Pinot Grigio

1 c Malibu Coconut Rum

1 1/2 c chopped pineapple

1/2 c Maraschino Cherries

Mix all together in a pitcher and serve over ice.  Garnish with pineapple wedge

Pineapple Banana Bread

20 ounces crushed pineapple canned, drained and ¼ cup juice saved

¾ cup brown sugar
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup oil
2 large eggs beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 medium bananas mashed (about 1 cup)
⅓ cup milk
2 cups all-purpose flour 
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda

• Preheat the oven to 350° Grease two loaf pans with baking spray
  
• Drain pineapple in a colander over a bowl to catch the juice. Use a spoon to move pineapple around, lightly pressing to get as much juice out as you can without completely flattening the pineapple. Reserve ¼ cup of juice. Let the pineapple sit in the colander while mixing the other ingredients so additional juice drips into the bowl.
  
• In a large mixing bowl, add sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Mix these wet ingredients together until smooth.
  
• Measure 1/4 cup of pineapple juice drained from the pineapple. Add mashed bananas, pineapple, 1/4 cup of pineapple juice and milk to the wet ingredients and mix together well.
  
• In a second medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Mix the dry ingredients together until blended.
  
• Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Mix well until the dry ingredients are fully combined into the wet ingredients.
  
• Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean when poked with a toothpick.
  
• Cool for at least 10 minutes before removing the loaves from the pan.  Cool loaf  on a cooling rack. Then slice and enjoy!

Rita from Panoply is hosting this Tablescape Hop and the other participants are listed below.  Hop around and see how they are entertaining this summer

Panoply - Summer Meadow Bistro Tablescape

Hyacinths for the Soul - Summer Whimsy Tablescape

Home is Where the Boat Is - Stars and Stripes Alfresco Tablescape

Everyday Living - Say Hello To Summer With a Garden Tablescape

The Bookish Dilettante - Red, White and Blue Summertime Tablescape

My Thrift Store Addiction - Flower Fairies in the Garden Summer Tablescape

Life and Linda - A Margaritaville Party

The Cat's Whiskerz - A Tropical Tablescape for Summer

The Little Yellow Corner Store - A Fourth of July Tablescape - A Star Performance

Pandora's Box - Pineapple Delight You are here

Thrifting Wonderland - Morning Tea in the Garden

Corner of Plaid and Paisley - Summer Road Trip

The Painted Apron - Summer Sea Shells

Red Cottage Chronicles - Summer Afternoon Tea Party Ideas

Dinner at Eight - Summertime Gardens for the Table

Belle Bleu Interiors - An Early Summer Tablescape in the Garden

Celebrating Everyday Life - Simple Homespun Patriotic Table Decor

Mantel and Table - A summer Pink Tablescape - Beautiful Indulgence for One

Me and My Captain - Small Backyard Space? Come Sit By Me

I LOVE my Kitchen Cart, you can find it here:            MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check Kitchen Cart: