Curacao Pears

6-8 under ripe pears (should be hard and green)

1 cup orange juice

1 cup dry apera (sherry)

1 cup sugar

Peel of one orange, finely sliced

1/4 cup brandy

1/4 cup blue Curacao

Method: Peel the pears but leave stems on. Place juice, sherry, sugar and orange peel in a large pot and heat until sugar dissolves. Add pears then brandy and Curacao. Cover and simmer (not boil) for 30 minutes. Keep pears upright for an ombre look, but you can turn for an all green look. Remove from pot when pears tender, not soft. Put in serving bowl to cool. Keep chilled and serve with cream. Will keep in fridge up to 3 days.

Source: contributed by Amanda Thomas in A Dash of QAC: A Sprinkle of Sweet and Savoury from our Members (Adelaide: Queen Adelaide Club, 2020), p.41.

Mushroom Soup, Easy

Serves 2

450 g can mushroom soup

25 g butter

125 g mushrooms

3/4 cup milk

3/4 cup water

1/4 cup apera (sherry)

Pepper and salt to taste

Method: Melt the butter in a large saucepan and sauté chopped mushrooms on medium heat for 5 minutes. Add can of mushroom soup, stir in milk and water until hot, but not boiling. Stir in sherry, pepper and salt if needed. Serve in hot bowls.

Source: contributed by Dianne Gray in A Dash of QAC: A Sprinkle of Sweet and Savoury from our Members (Adelaide: Queen Adelaide Club, 2020), p.125.

Kangaroo Kokonut

Take a fresh coconut and remove the outer shell from the flesh. Cut the coconut into small bite size squares and gently fry in butter for about 20 minutes. Serve warm with pre dinner drinks.

Source: A Dash of QAC: A Sprinkle of Sweet and Savoury from our Members (Adelaide: Queen Adelaide Club, 2020), p.46.

Tuna Dip (For Emergencies)

Great for grandchildren

Serves 4

185 g tin good quality tuna in olive oil

Olive oil, good quality

Chives or finely chopped cherry tomato to garnish (optional)

Method: Drain oil from tuna and place tuna in food processor. Blitz briefly. With motor running, drizzle in olive oil until mixture forms a soft spreadable paste. Put mixture in serving bowl and garnish. Serve with toast fingers or crackers.

Tip: Can also add chopped capers, lemon juice or Philadelphia light cream cheese, but it really doesn't need it.

Source: contributed by Jen Tolley in A Dash of QAC: A Sprinkle of Sweet and Savoury from our Members (Adelaide: Queen Adelaide Club, 2020), p.141.