Whole Vanilla Roasted Pineapple Food

CARIBBEAN ROASTED PINEAPPLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• On a plate, mix together the peppercorns, allspice, cinnamon and salt. Sprinkle the spice rub evenly over the pineapple or roll the pineapple in it so it is evenly coated.
• Heat a medium Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the oil and place the pineapple in the pan. Cook, rotating the pineapple regularly, until light brown all over, about 3 minutes. Cover the pan and transfer to the oven. Roast until tender to the core when pierced with the tip of a knife, about 45 minutes. Uncover and allow the pineapple to cool to room temperature in the pan.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the cream, sugar and rum. Using a handheld mixer, beat on high speed until soft peaks form, about 3 minutes.
• Slice the pineapple into 1-inch-thick rounds. Place 1 slice on each plate. Dollop with a spoonful of cream and a crumble of gingersnaps. Drizzle any remaining juice over the top.

VANILLA ROASTED PINEAPPLE WITH BUTTERMILK SHERBET

Steps:

• Make the pineapple the day before you plan to serve the dessert.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Melt the butter over medium-high heat in a deep heavy ovenproof pot, large enough to hold the pineapple on its side. Add the brown sugar and vanilla bean. Cook, stirring, to melt and caramelize the sugar, 3 to 5 minutes. Lay the pineapple in the pot and let simmer, turning on all sides to brown. Add the water to the pan, cover and put pan into the oven. Baste occasionally, until roasted through to the core, about 1 hour.
• If needed, add more water a tablespoon at a time. Let the pineapple cool in the pan. Then, lift out the pineapple, wrap, and refrigerate overnight. Reserve the pan juices.
• Make the sherbet: Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Let cool slightly, then whisk in the buttermilk and lime juice. Refrigerate until cold, then freeze in an ice cream machine.
• When ready to serve, assemble the dessert: Thinly slice the pineapple (I use a meat slicer). If desired, re-warm the pan juices. Arrange slices overlapping on dessert plates. Place a scoop of sherbet in the center of the pineapple slices and drizzle the pan juices on top. Serve immediately.

WHOLE VANILLA ROASTED PINEAPPLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F
• Using a small knife, remove the eyes from the pineapple. You will see that these eyes form spiral patterns running lengthwise down the pineapple. The most attractive way to remove them it to cut shallow channels that twist down from the top of the pineapple to the bottom. Reserve any pineapple juices.
• Cut the vanilla bean in four lengthwise, then cut into 1-inch pieces. Reserve any vanilla seeds that escape from the vanilla pod. With the help of a wooden skewer, spear the pineapple with the pieces of vanilla bean, just like a roast with garlic.
• In a roasting pan, heat the water, sugar and butter, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and add any accumulated pineapple juice or any vanilla bean seeds that escaped from the vanilla bean.
• Remove from the heat, add the pineapple, turn and baste with the liquid.
• Place in the oven and roast 35 to 40 minutes, basting from time to time. If the sauce has become too thick during the cooking just add a little water and bring to a boil to dissolve the sugar.
• To serve, cut the pineapple into wedges, cut out the core and serve with sauce from the pan and a good quality vanilla ice cream.

BAKED PINEAPPLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Pierce pineapple all over with cloves. Place sugar and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a 2-quart baking dish; roll pineapple in sugar to coat. Scatter butter in pan.
• Bake, brushing pineapple with sugar-butter mixture occasionally, until very tender, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Transfer pineapple to a cutting board; remove cloves.
• Place sugar mixture from dish in a saucepan with cream. Simmer until thickened slightly, 6 to 8 minutes. Quarter pineapple lengthwise; serve with vanilla ice cream, pan sauce, and sprinkles of flaky salt and more pepper.