Award Winning Pineapple Preserves Food

AWARD WINNING PINEAPPLE PRESERVES

Steps:

• Bring pineapple and sugar to a boil in a large saucepan and cook 20 minutes, stirring constantly until thickened or until the temperature reaches 220F on a thermometer (this is the jelling stage at sea level).
• Pour immediately into hot sterilized jars; wipe rims with a clean cloth, place lids and screw on bands fingertip-tight.
• Process jars in a water-bath canner for 5 minutes.
• Place jars on a clean towel.
• Cover with towel to prevent drafts and let cool undisturbed for 24 hours.

PINEAPPLE JAM

Steps:

• Peel the pineapple and grate the flesh -- you should end up with about 2 cups. Put the pineapple and water in a small saucepan and cook over medium-low heat until the pineapple is soft, about 35 minutes.
• Add the sugar and lime juice and stir to combine. Cook until the mixture has thickened, about 45 to 60 minutes. Spoon the jam into a 16-ounce jar with a tight-fitting lid. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

PINEAPPLE PRESERVES

Steps:

• Combine ingredients in a saucepan. Simmer over low heat for 1 hour.
• Transfer to food processor or blender and pulse three short times. (just enough to chop but not puree).
• Return to saucepan and simmer for another 15 minutes or until thick enough to suit you.
• Go ahead and can preserve or store in clean glass jar in refridgerator.

PRIZE WINNING PINEAPPLE UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE ON THE BBQ

Steps:

• Heat grill to 350 degrees F.
• Place a 10-inch cast iron skillet in the center of the grill and heat thoroughly.
• Meanwhile, make cake batter: Sift the cake flour, baking powder, and salt together; set aside. With a mixer, cream together the butter, sugar, and egg yolks. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients to creamed mixture, alternating with the milk. Add vanilla extract. In a separate mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form and then fold them into the batter. Set batter aside.
• Place the 1/2 stick butter and the brown sugar in the skillet and let the mixture melt and begin to caramelize. When lightly caramelized, place pineapples and enough cherries to cover on top, in a decorative pattern. Then pour the cake batter over, filling to within 1/2-inch of the top of the skillet. Transfer the skillet to a large foil pan and cover with foil; be careful handling the skillet as the handle will also be very hot. Return to the grill and pierce the foil in the corners to allow steam to escape during the cooking process.
• Grill cake at 350 degrees F until cake is golden brown and springs back when lightly touched with your finger, about 45 minutes. Remove from the grill and run a knife around the edge of the skillet to free the cake; again, be careful handling the skillet as the handle will also be very hot. While cake is still hot, place a serving plate on top of the skillet and carefully turn the cake over onto the plate. Serve warm or cold.