Caramelized, pureed or used fresh, as a dessert ingredient, the pineapple unravels layers and layers of deliciousness. There’s its sun-kissed sweet-meets-tart juice explosion, its lovely appearance that whispers all-things-tropics… simply put, you can’t go wrong with a pineapple-based dessert! As for pineapple toppings on pizza --- well that’s a whole other story!
Do attempt to craft these odes to the pineapple, in your own kitchen.
1. Pineapple Halwa
You will need:
- Finely chopped pineapple, 1 cup
- Ghee, 2 tbsp
- Semolina, 1/2 cup
- Sugar, 1/4 cup
- Cardamom powder, 1 tsp
- Cashews and raisins for garnishing
To make the halwa:
- Heat ghee in a pan and gently roast the semolina until golden.
- Combine it with pineapple, sugar and cardamom powder. Cook the semolina-pineapple mixture until it thickens.
- Once done, you can optionally add cashews and raisins as garnish.
Note: To make it suitable for vegans, replace ghee with coconut oil when cooking.
2. Pineapple Sorbet
You will need:
- 2 cups of pineapple chunks
- 2 tbsp of lime juice
- 3 tbsp of honey, or agave syrup if you’re feeling fancy
To make it:
- Blend pineapple chunks, lime juice and honey until you achieve a smooth consistency.
- Let the mixture freeze for 2 hours before serving scoops of this chilled treat.
You can also use an artificial sweetener in place of honey.
3. Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Get these ingredients:
- 1 cup of sliced pineapple
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 50g butter
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Follow this method:
- Begin by caramelizing pineapple slices in a pan, with sugar and butter.
- Prepare your batter using flour, baking powder, eggs and vanilla extract.
- Transfer the batter onto the pineapple that has been caramelized in a baking dish and bake it at a temperature of 360°F (180°C) for 25 minutes.
Note: You can use a mixture of flaxseed meal and water as an alternative to eggs.
4. Pineapple Coconut Mousse
You will need:
- 1 cup of pineapple
- 1 cup of coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon of agar-agar powder
- 1/4 cup of sugar
Let’s get to it:
- Heat the pineapple puree with sugar until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- Combine agar-agar, with coconut milk bring it to a simmer. Then combine it with the pineapple mixture.
- Allow the mixture to chill until it sets, creating a mousse with a tropical twist.
5. Pineapple Tarte Tatin
Get these on your countertop:
- 1 cup of pineapple slices
- 1 sheet of puff pastry
- 50g of butter
- 1/4 cup of sugar
Method:
- Caramelize the sugar and butter in an ovenproof pan. Add the pineapple slices. Cook them until they turn golden.
- Cover the pan with the puff pastry sheet, ensuring that its edges are tucked inside.
- Baking instructions: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake for 20 minutes until the pastry rises and turns a lovely golden color.
You may substitute the butter with a dairy-free alternative if required.