Fresh Pineapple Syrup Food

PINEAPPLE WITH LIME & VANILLA SYRUP

Steps:

• Gently heat the caster sugar, vanilla paste, lime juice and 50ml water in a pan until the sugar dissolves.
• Arrange the pineapple over a plate or platter. Drizzle over the syrup and set aside until ready to serve so the syrup can soak into the pineapple. Eat with vanilla or coconut ice cream, if you like.

FRESH PINEAPPLE POACHED IN CINNAMON SYRUP

Steps:

• Stir 1 1/2 cups water, sugar, cinnamon sticks, ginger and lemon in heavy large pot over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Bring syrup to boil; cover and simmer 10 minutes to blend flavors. Add pineapple and simmer until pineapple is just translucent, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes. Transfer pineapple and syrup to bowl. Refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.)

FRESH PINEAPPLE SYRUP

Steps:

• Combine the fruit and syrup in a large food-safe container and refrigerate for 72 hours. Strain the syrup and discard the pineapple. Fill a labeled squeeze bottle for easiest use. The syrup will keep for 7 days, refrigerated.

TRAMPOLINE FRAPPé

Steps:

• Blend 2 cups strawberries, leaves removed, halved, and 1 cup water in a blender on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Pour into a small saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally and reducing heat to low if mixture bubbles, about 7 minutes. (Rinse out and reserve blender.)
• Add 10 basil leaves to saucepan and continue to cook, stirring, about 4 minutes more. Remove from heat and let sit 15 minutes.
• Strain strawberry mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a liquid measuring cup, pressing on solids with a spoon-you should get 1½-2 cups. Return to blender along with an equal measure 1½-2 cups sugar. Blend until sugar is dissolved, about 1 minute-mixture should not taste gritty. Transfer to a resealable container and chill until ready to use. Do ahead: Syrup can be made 3 weeks ahead. Keep chilled.
• Fill a large frappé or pilsner glass with crushed, cracked, or pebble ice. Combine 3 oz. fresh pineapple juice, 1 oz. fresh lime juice, 1¼ oz. Strawberry-Basil syrup, and 2 dashes Peychaud's bitters (if using) in a cocktail shaker. Fill shaker with ice, cover, and shake until just mixed, about 5 seconds.
• Strain into prepared glass and add 2 oz. chilled seltzer. Top off with crushed, cracked, or pebble ice. Gently stir to combine. Garnish with a strawberry half and basil leaf (if using). You can dash bitters on these too!

PINEAPPLE-GINGER SYRUP

Steps:

• With a sharp knife, slice off top and bottom of pineapple. Holding fruit upright on cutting board, slice off peel in strips; reserve peel. Cut flesh into 8 wedges. Remove core; reserve. Refrigerate wedges for another use.
• Cut reserved peel and core into 1-inch pieces; place in a medium saucepan with ginger, sugar, and 4 cups water. Boil until reduced to 1 cup, 25 to 30 minutes. Strain, discarding solids; chill.