Pineapple Pastry Food

PINEAPPLE FILLING

Steps:

• In the top of a double boiler over simmering water, combine sugar, flour and salt. Stir in egg, pineapple and pineapple juice. Cook, stirring frequently, until mixture has thickened. Stir in butter. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

TAIWANESE PINEAPPLE CAKES

Steps:

• For the pineapple filling: Put the drained pineapple in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until any remaining liquid has cooked off and the pineapple is almost completely dry, about 12 minutes. Add the granulated sugar, corn syrup, cornstarch and lemon juice. Continue to cook, stirring often, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is golden brown, very thick and jammy, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate, uncovered, until completely cool, about 1 hour. This can be made up to 24 hours in advance.
• For the pastry dough: Once the pineapple filling is cool, make the dough. Pulse the cake flour, butter, confectioners' sugar, milk powder, custard powder and salt in a food processor until the butter is thoroughly mixed into the flour and the dough is starting to clump together, about 2 minutes. Add the egg yolk, then continue to pulse until a smooth, homogenous dough forms. Scoop the dough into fifteen 1 tablespoon-size pieces, then roll into uniform balls.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Spray the inside of each of fifteen 1 1/2-by-2-inch rectangular aluminum molds generously with nonstick cooking spray and place on the prepared baking sheet.
• Divide the cold pineapple filling into fifteen 2 teaspoon-size balls.
• Working one at a time, use a rolling pin to roll one dough ball into a thin round (about 3 inches wide and about 1/8 inch thick) on a piece of parchment lightly dusted with flour. Place one ball of filling in the center of the dough, then shape the dough up and around the filling, pinching the ends to seal. Roll between the palms of your hands to make uniform. Place into one of the greased molds, then gently press so it fills the mold and is level with the top edges. Repeat with the remaining filling and dough until all 15 cakes are formed.
• Bake until the top of each cake is matte and puffed slightly and the bottom is light golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes, then carefully press out of the molds. Enjoy warm or transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

PINEAPPLE PASTRY

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to 385 degrees F (200 degrees C ). Grease and line an 8" round tin.
• Sieve the flours and the baking powder together 3 times.
• Using an electric blender beat the egg whites to form soft peaks.
• Gradually add sugar and beat till thick.
• Add the yolks one at a time and beat well at low speed till well blended.
• Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the sieved flours. Do not stir or over-mix.
• Add the essence to a corner of the bowl and fold it in gently.
• Bake for about 20-25mins till firm.
• Once done remove the cake from the tin and cool completely. Slice the cake into two.
• For the filling and icing :.
• Drain the pineapple can and reserve the syrup. Add water to the syrup if necessary to make a cup and add enough sugar to sweeten. Add a few drops of pineapple essence.
• Whip the cream to stiff peaks.
• To assemble the cake :.
• Using a spray bottle or spoon soak one slice of cake in the pineapple syrup. The cake should be moist but still firm.
• Top with a layer of whipped cream and pineapple pieces. Top with the second slice, also soaked in syrup. Cover the top and sides with a thick layer of whipped cream. Decorate with pineapple pieces and whipped cream.
• Refrigerate for 2-3 hrs so it sets well.

PIñA COLADA PASTRY CREAM

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, whisk the pineapple juice and coconut milk together. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes, until the liquid is hot and steaming but not boiling.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk the sugar, cornstarch, and salt together. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks and whole egg until well mixed and homogenous. Whisk the sugar mixture into the eggs until lightened and fluffy. While whisking, pour about a third of the hot pineapple and coconut milk mixture over the yolk mixture and whisk very well until combined. Add another third and whisk well. Whisk in the remaining hot liquid and pour the mixture back into the saucepan. Return the pan to medium heat and whisk constantly until the mixture begins to boil.
• Once it is bubbling, whisk the mixture vigorously at a boil for 3 to 4 full minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the butter, a little at a time. Mix in the rum, if using, after the butter has been incorporated.
• Pass the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a small baking sheet or cake pan, pressing the cream in the strainer to remove any cooked egg bits. Spread the pastry cream into a thin layer on the sheet; lay a sheet of plastic wrap directly on the surface.
• Cool the pastry cream to room temperature; refrigerate for at least 2 hours and preferably overnight. When ready to use, transfer the pastry cream to a bowl and stir with a rubber spatula to loosen it. Pastry cream should be used within 3 days.

PINEAPPLE SQUARES

Steps:

• Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Cut in butter using a pastry cutter or your hands until coarse crumbs form.
• Whisk milk, egg, and vanilla extract together in a small bowl. Add to flour mixture and knead until just combined, adding a little more flour if too wet or a little more milk if too dry. Divide the dough into thirds; 2/3 will be for the bottom, save 1/3 for the top.
• Roll 2/3 the dough out onto a lightly floured surface into an 11x15-inch rectangle. Place dough into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan, making sure it comes at least halfway up the sides.
• Combine pineapple and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, pour reserved pineapple juice into a bowl and add cornstarch; stir until dissolved. Add to the saucepan and stir until thickened, about 5 minutes more. Remove from heat and let filling cool in the refrigerator, about 15 minutes.
• Scrape filling onto the bottom dough in the baking pan and smooth out.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Roll remaining 1/3 dough out onto a lightly floured surface into a 9x13-inch rectangle. Roll the dough onto the rolling pin and unroll on top of the pineapple filling, making sure edges of the dough reach the edges of the pan.
• Combine flour and sugar in a small bowl. Add vanilla extract and cut in butter until coarse crumbs form. Sprinkle streusel topping over dough.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on a rack. Cut into 24 squares.

MALAYSIAN PINEAPPLE PASTRIES

Steps:

• Peel pineapple, remove eyes and core. Chop pineapple to make 1 1/2 cups. In sauce pan combine pineapple, sugar, and 1/3 cup water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat to medium till thickened, stirring occasionally.(Watch closely the last 5 minutes to prevent sticking.) Cool.
• Meanwhile, in bowl cut butter into flour till mixture is crumbly. Add egg yolks and vanilla; stir till well combined. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon cold water over part of mixture, gently toss with fork. Push to side of bowl. Repeat till all is moistened. Form dough into ball. Cover; chill 1 hour. Divide dough in half. On lightly floured surface roll each half to 10x10 inch square. Cut into sixteen 2 1/2 inch squares. Spoon about 1 tsp pineapple filling diagonally in center of each square. Bring up two side corners/ overlap slightly. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Brush lightly with egg white to seal. Bake in 400 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes till golden brown. Cool on wire rack.