Pineapple Granite Food

PINEAPPLE GRANITE

Steps:

• Transfer one can of crushed pineapple with its syrup to a metal pan and freeze; this will be for kids.
• Mix the other can with rum and freeze in a separate metal container.
• When frozen solid, cut into large chunks in a food processor or chop up with a chef's knife. Transfer frozen pineapple chunks to wine goblets and garnish with sliced fruit or top with granola for crunch.

ROASTED PINEAPPLE WITH GREEN TEA AND MELON GRANITA

Steps:

• Peel and cut 1 pineapple into 2-inch cubes. Using a vegetable juicer, juice the cubed pineapple, (you can also use a food processor to puree the pineapple and press it through a strainer lined with cheesecloth so that you are left with pure juice). Pour the juice into a saucepan with the cardamom. Bring to a boil. Remove from the heat, set aside, and let the cardamom infuse.
• Peel the remaining pineapple and cut horizontally into 1-inch round slices. Cut out the center core with a small size round cutter. Place slices of pineapple in the pineapple juice, bring to a boil, and then turn off the heat. Let cool and marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
• The following day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove pineapple slices from the juice place on a sheet pan. Roast in the oven until tender, about 30 minutes.
• To plate, place warm pineapple in a bowl and top with a scoop of Green Tea Melon Granita.
• Place the melon in a bowl. Add the ground ginger, green tea powder, and honey. Blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Pour into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and strain into a shallow 9 by 13-inch metal pan or dish.
• Stir in the lime juice, let cool, and then freeze overnight.
• The following day, remove the granita from the freezer, scrape with a fork to make the granita, and return to freezer until ready to serve.
• Yield: 6 servings

PINEAPPLE GRANITA

Steps:

• Place the sugar and 1/2 cup water in a saucepan and heat until the sugar dissolves into a clear liquid (simple sugar). Set aside to cool. Cut the pineapple into chunks, discarding the skin and core. Put some pineapple and some simple syrup in a blender or food processor and puree. Repeat until you've pureed all the pineapple and syrup. Pour into an 8- or 9-inch baking pan and freeze partway, stirring occasionally (so it doesn't become too solid to dish up). Scoop the partially frozen mixture into a tub or compote dishes to freeze up completely; it should be somewhat granular and scrape off the pan in long strips with the spoon. Serve garnished with the berries and the mint.

BAJA PINEAPPLE GRENADE

Steps:

• With pineapple core extractor, remove core. Fill with ice, add melon liqueur, tequila, pineapple juice, lemon lime soda and grenadine. Stir and garnish with lime, cherry, pineapple wedge, and a small paper cocktail umbrella.

GRILLED PINEAPPLE

Steps:

• Place pineapple in a large resealable plastic bag. Add honey, butter, hot pepper sauce, and salt. Seal bag, and shake to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil grate.
• Grill pineapple for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until heated through and grill marks appear.

PINEAPPLE-ORANGE GRANITA

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a heavy-duty quart size resealable plastic bag. Seal tightly and store flat in freezer until firm.
• Fifteen minutes before serving, remove from freezer to soften slightly.
• Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound to crush ice mixture. Spoon into wine goblets or dessert dishes and serve garnished with orange segments and mint sprigs.