pineapple

Papaya Pineapple Boat

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Palatable Possibilities: Papaya Pineapple Boat! The first time I tasted fresh papaya I was on the island of Kauai. I was told it had indescribable flavor different from cantaloupe, watermelon, or mango. They were right. Papaya is not sugary sweet. It’s light and juicy with a buttery texture that allows it to taste almost creamy. Does that make sense? The lime actually adds to the tropical ambiance, which is why I prefer a squeeze of fresh to slightly mingle with the other ingredients. I’ve read that the rough black seeds can be bitter to taste. Honestly, I’ve never gotten that far to put them to the test.

PAPAYA PINEAPPLE BOAT

Ingredients:

I ripe papaya, halved horizontally with seeds removed

1 cup pineapple chunks

1 cup blackberries

2 tablespoons red onion, cut into strips

Fresh Lime, for garnish

Instructions:

Gently remove fruit from papaya; dice into chunks. Place hollowed out shells onto shallow plates. Arrange diced papaya, pineapple chunks, fresh blackberries, and red onion strips. Squeeze lime juice over all. Allow fruit “bowls” to rest for 30 minutes at room temperature. This will enhance the flavors. Serves two.

Quazy Carrot Cake

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Sweet Celebrations: Quazy Carrot Cake! “What’s up, Doc?” is something we’ve all heard Bugs Bunny say more than once. You may find yourself asking the same question when you take a bite of this tasty version of Carrot Cake. It’s loaded with fresh carrots, pineapple tidbits, and chopped pecans. The crowning moment comes when you smack your lips together over the wonderful cream cheese icing. I have seen expressions of jubilation over this award-winning dessert. Treat yourself to something special this weekend.

QUAZY CARROT CAKE

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 1/4 cups vegetable oil

4 eggs

3 cups carrots, grated

1 cup crushed pineapple, drained

1 cup pecans, chopped

Ingredients for Icing:

1/2 cup butter, softened

8 ounces Neufchâtel cheese, softened

3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9″x13″ pan with nonstick oil. Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon. Mix well. Add oil, eggs, carrots, pineapple, and nuts. Beat for 2 minutes on medium speed. Transfer to baking dish. Bake for 45 minutes or until done. Meanwhile, cream together the butter and Neufchâtel cheese. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat until smooth and creamy. When cake is cool, top with cream cheese icing. Garnish with a pecan half.

Grill Pan Pork Loins

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Here Come the Holidays: Grill Pan Pork Loins! My latest kitchen essential is an enameled cast iron skinny grill that just happens to fit perfectly across two burners on my newly installed glass stovetop. As you can see, the vibrant red handles not only allow for attractive table service, but also make it easy to manage while cooking. Now I get that unique grilled taste all year long, no matter what the weather. The cast iron feature is the secret to even cooking. Plus, the nonstick finish makes cleanup a flash, in addition to enhanced seasoning qualities. I like the idea that foods, once grilled, show the little black grill marks. After all, it’s about the presentation, isn’t it? In addition, vegetables work out quite nicely. No more frustrating pieces falling through the grill grates. I can see you agree with me.

GRILL PAN PORK LOINS

Ingredients:

4 pork loins, boneless, and one-inch thick

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 red onion, sliced

1 cup broccoli florets

1/3 cup pineapple chunks

4 fingerling potatoes, halved

Instructions:

Preheat the stovetop grill pan on medium heat setting. Brush lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle the pork loins with sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Arrange on grill pan. Add red onion slices, broccoli florets, and pineapple chunks in a single layer. Pierce fingerling potatoes with a fork. Microwave on High setting for two minutes. Cut in half and add to grill pan. Cook pork loins until golden brown, about 7 minutes per side. Turn vegetables as needed to prevent scorching. When pork reaches 145° on a meat thermometer, transfer loins to a cutting board; tent with foil for 5 minutes. Turn stovetop setting to Off. Divide food into four portions. Serve warm.

Coconut Sprinkled Fruit Cup

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Table Food: Coconut Sprinkled Fruit Cups! Whether you choose to enhance a hearty breakfast, compliment a light lunch, or serve as a healthy dessert, fresh fruit is always a good idea. Take a moment to look in the fridge. Perhaps you see an apple, a bunch of green grapes, a ripe banana, or a few stragglers from a berry basket. Combine them together for a surprising and colorful addition to any meal. Sprinkle on some coconut flakes to jazz things up. Drizzle with maple syrup, wildflower honey, or agave nectar. Just a touch. Then, for a nice finish, sprinkle on cinnamon, nutmeg, or citrusy cardamom. Dessert-lovers may add a dollop of whipped cream. The choices are endless. When building a fruit salad, think color, flavor, and presentation. The results may surprise you.

COCONUT SPRINKLED FRUIT CUPS

Ingredients:

1 Cara Cara orange, divided into segments

1/2 cup pineapple, tidbits

2 tablespoons coconut, shredded

2 teaspoons agave nectar

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, ground

Instructions:

Fill two fruit cups with orange segments and pineapple tidbits. Sprinkle shredded coconut over top. Drizzle with agave nectar. Garnish with ground nutmeg.

Kumquat Pineapple Chutney

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Graze or Gobble: Kumquat Pineapple Chutney! Nowadays there’s always a use for something as unique as chutney. Don’t believe me? Check out charcuterie boards filled with meats, cheeses, breads, nuts, and pickles. There always seems to be a nice little bowl of spreadable chunky fruit to balance out the briny flavors. I also added a dollop to roasted pork loin and grilled chicken breasts. Someone even told me they slathered it on a grilled cheese sandwich. Who knew chutney would be your new best friend?!

KUMQUAT PINEAPPLE CHUTNEY

Ingredients:

5 ounces kumquats

1 cup crushed pineapple

3 tablespoons lemon juice

3 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons orange juice

2 tablespoons orange liqueur

Instructions:

In a small saucepan of boiling water, blanch the kumquats for one minute. Drain and repeat three more times. Halve each kumquat. Squeeze the juice into a bowl. Discard the pulp and seeds before finely dicing the skin. In the same saucepan, combine the diced kumquats, crushed pineapple, lemon juice, brown sugar, orange juice, kumquat juice, and orange liqueur. Bring to a boil. Simmer the chutney over medium heat, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken in approximately eight minutes. Allow mixture to cool before transferring to a jar. Store covered in the refrigerator.

Ice Cream Grilled Pineapple

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Clean Eating: Ice Cream Grilled Pineapple! If you’ve decided it’s better to unplug with a “staycation” this year, there’s no need to give up guilty pleasures. Minimizing expenses with less stress is smart living. Take advantage of the leisure activities and points of interest in your own community. When was the last time you popped in to the local Welcome Center or Chamber of Commerce? You may see things through a fresh pair of eyes. Others do. Make a tropical dessert that will transport you to your very own private island. Dress it up with colorful parasol party picks.

ICE CREAM GRILLED PINEAPPLE

Ingredients:

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

4-6 fresh pineapple rings

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Maraschino Cherry, for garnish

Instructions:

Preheat a gas grill to medium-high temperature. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish. Mix well. Rub both sides of pineapple rings with brown sugar mixture. Transfer to a large baking dish for 10 minutes. Using a heat-proof brush, lightly grease the grill with vegetable oil. Place pineapple slices directly on grill, leaving space between fruit slices. Cook 1-2 minutes per side to sear the pineapple rings. You should see grill marks. The pineapple will turn a golden yellow. Remove from grill. Allow pineapple rings to cool before adding a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. Garnish with maraschino cherry. Serve immediately.

Exotic Pineapple Pork Loin

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Talking Points: Exotic Pineapple Pork Loin! If you’re not a fan of pineapple, allow me to offer some reasons to give it another try. You know that bloated feeling you can get after a meal…even three hours later? Well, pineapple is actually your friend in speeding up the natural digestion of foods. It helps to break down proteins, which in turn eases that uncomfortable feeling that may keep you up at night. By pairing pineapple with pork, which is high in protein, your increased metabolism will thank you. With that being said, let’s “Dig In” for an appetizing main course.

EXOTIC PINEAPPLE PORK LOIN

Ingredients:

2.5 pounds pork loin

1 can pineapple rings, cut in half, juices reserved

2 cups prepared barbecue sauce

1 green pepper, chopped

1 jalapeño, seeds removed, minced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 450°. Place pork loin on a cutting board. Make parallel incisions along the length of the meat without cutting all the way through. Carefully transfer the pork loin to a baking pan. Fill each slot with a pineapple ring half. Combine barbecue sauce and reserved pineapple juice in a bowl. Add chopped green pepper, minced jalapeño, minced garlic, and chopped red onions. Stir to combine. Pour sauce over pork loin. Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 350°. Bake 50 minutes longer, or until done. Test the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. It should read 160° when done. Remove from oven and serve immediately.

Island Pineapple Salsa

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Food With Soul: Island Pineapple Salsa! For healthy taste with a breath of an island paradise mixed in, treat yourself to this virtuous condiment that goes well with practically anything. Grilled meats, charred veggies, fresh fish, and exotic seafood are great dinner companions as well. For an excellent appetizer, serve the pineapple salsa with lightly seasoned tortilla chips. Goes well with tiki-themed cocktails showcasing dark rum floaters. Can you hear me now?

ISLAND PINEAPPLE SALSA

Ingredients:

2 cups pineapple, tidbits

1/4 cup red pepper, diced

1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

2 green onions, chopped

1 teaspoon ginger, finely chopped

1 tablespoon soy sauce

Instructions:

Combine pineapple tidbits, red pepper, red onion, green onions, chopped ginger, and soy sauce in a bowl. Stir well. Cover and refrigerate for one hour.

Papaya Pineapple Boat

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Palatable Possibilities: Papaya Pineapple Boat! The first time I tasted fresh papaya I was on the island of Kauai. I was told it had indescribable flavor different from cantaloupe, watermelon, or mango. They were right. Papaya is not sugary sweet. It’s light and juicy with a buttery texture that allows it to taste almost creamy. Does that make sense? The lime actually adds to the tropical ambiance, which is why I prefer a squeeze of fresh to slightly mingle with the other ingredients. I’ve read that the rough black seeds can be bitter to taste. Honestly, I’ve never gotten that far to put them to the test.

PAPAYA PINEAPPLE BOAT

Ingredients:

I ripe papaya, halved horizontally with seeds removed

1 cup pineapple chunks

1 cup blackberries

2 tablespoons red onion, cut into strips

Fresh Lime, for garnish

Instructions:

Gently remove fruit from papaya; dice into chunks. Place hollowed out shells onto shallow plates. Arrange diced papaya, pineapple chunks, fresh blackberries, and red onion strips. Squeeze lime juice over all. Allow fruit “bowls” to rest for 30 minutes at room temperature. This will enhance the flavors. Serves two.