Pineapple Tidbit Food

PINEAPPLE GLAZED PORK RIBS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Rub the ribs all over with the sesame oil; season generously with five-spice powder, salt, and pepper. Arrange the ribs in a single layer in a shallow roasting pan and roast for 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
• To prepare the pineapple glaze: In a saucepan over medium heat melt the butter and add the pineapple chunks; saute for 3 minutes. Add the soy sauce, rum, hoisin sauce, ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, chile, garlic, and ginger. Bring to a slow simmer and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 20 minutes. Pull out the ginger pieces. Pour the glaze into a blender and puree until smooth.
• In the last 30 minutes of cooking, baste the ribs with some of the glaze. When they are done, the pork will pull away from the bone and you will see about 1/2-inch of bone showing. When you are ready to eat, baste the ribs with more glaze and stick them under the broiler for 5 to 8 minutes to give the ribs a nice crust. (Watch them carefully as they can easily burn.) Separate the ribs with a cleaver or sharp knife, pile them onto a platter, and pour on the remaining sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped cilantro before serving.

PINEAPPLE MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
• First, make the meatballs: combine all meatball ingredients (there's 7, beef to garlic powder) in a bowl and mix well; shape into 1-inch balls.
• Brown them in a nonstick frying pan (I do it in 3 batches) until browned all over; drain on paper towel then place in a large ungreased casserole dish.
• To make sauce, combine brown sugar and cornstarch in a large saucepan, then whisk in the 1-3/4 cup pineapple juice/water combination until mixture is smooth.
• Add vinegar, soy sauce and worcestershire sauce; stir.
• Simmer, uncovered, on medium-low heat for about 8 minutes, or until thickened.
• Pour sauce over meatballs and add pineapple tidbits; stir gently to combine until meatballs are coated with sauce.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.
• If you want a lot, this recipe doubles well.

PINEAPPLE/PRETZEL SALAD

Steps:

• Mix the crushed pretzels, butter and sugar together.
• Grease 9x13 pan.
• Place pretzel mixture in greased pan and bake for 10 minutes at 350°F.
• Cool slightly and break pieces into chunks.
• Beat cream cheese until well whipped and fluffy.
• Add the Cool Whip; blend well.
• Fold in the pineapple tidbits.
• Chill- for about 1 hour.
• About 1/2 hour before serving-- add pretzel pieces.
• Best served same day, otherwise the pretzels will get soggy. For a large group, I'd suggest doubling the recipe.