Pineapple Arugula Macadamia Nut Food

PINEAPPLE, ARUGULA, MACADAMIA NUT

Steps:

• Combine the water, apple juice, pineapple, arugula/rocket, mint, macadamia nuts, chia seeds, and salt in a blender. Blend until smooth.

BROILED PINEAPPLE WITH MACADAMIA CRUNCH

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler to very hot.
• Cut off the top of the pineapple. Cut a slice off the bottom to stabilize the pineapple, then peel from top to bottom with a sharp knife. Cut out any "eyes" in the fruit. Cut into 1/2 -inch-thick slices. Using a small cookie or biscuit cutter, cut the core out of each slice. Divide the slices on ovenproof plates. Chill until ready to serve. In a small bowl, toss together the macadamia nuts, sugar, butter and salt. Spoon over the pineapple slices. Broil (not too close to the heat) until the topping is caramelized and bubbly, about 2 to 4 minutes. Serve hot.

ARUGULA MACADAMIA NUT PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread Macadamia nuts on small jelly roll pan (or similar) and roast in the oven for 5 - 10 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes. Watch closely so they do not brown too much, remove from oven when golden brown and let cool. Cook pasta according to manufacturer's directions (boil approximately 10 minutes). Meanwhile in a food processor, pack in the basil, the arugula and the nuts and process until well pureed (I had to start with half the greens and nuts and once it pureed a bit, added the rest.). Add the ricotta to the food processor and blend until well mixed. Drain the pasta and toss with the pureed mix and the halved cherry tomatoes. Add salt and pepper to taste and toss again.
• Note - traditional pesto often has garlic added but I have a food sensitivity to garlic. Feel free to experiment by adding garlic, but first try it as listed above, it has a lovely fresh nutty greens taste to it!

PINEAPPLE & MACADAMIA NUT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Combine cake mix, pineapple juice, oil and eggs; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Pour into three greased and floured 8-in. round baking pans., Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For filling, combine sugar and flour in a large saucepan. Whisk in egg yolks, butter and pineapple until blended. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir until thickened and bubbly, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; cool to room temperature. Reserve 1/3 cup pineapple mixture for frosting; gently stir nuts into remaining pineapple mixture., Place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread with half of the filling. Repeat. Top with remaining cake layer., For frosting, cream butter, confectioners' sugar, reserved pineapple mixture and enough milk to reach a spreading consistency. Spread over top and sides of cake. If desired, chop and toast additional nuts; sprinkle on top and around bottom of cake.

ARUGULA PINEAPPLE SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk together dressing ingredients, adding olive oil slowly while you whisk, until it emulsifies.Add water to thin dressing if it seems thick.
• Peel and core pineapple, then slice extremely thin using a mandolin or food processor fitted with a slicing blade.
• Place arugula on plates, and top with thinly sliced pineapple and sliced red onion.
• Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts and shaved cheese.
• Season lightly with salt and pepper, then drizzle with dressing.