Caribbean Pineapple Recipes

CARIBBEAN PINEAPPLE PIE

Steps:

• In large glass or plastic bowl, stir pineapple, 1 cup sugar and the rum until mixed. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
• In medium bowl, mix 2 cups flour and the salt. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until particles are size of small peas. Sprinkle with cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost cleans side of bowl (1 to 2 teaspoons more water can be added if necessary).
• Gather pastry into a ball. Divide in half; shape into 2 flattened rounds on lightly floured surface. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate about 45 minutes or until dough is firm and cold, yet pliable. This allows the shortening to become slightly firm, which helps make the baked pastry more flaky. If refrigerated longer, let pastry soften slightly before rolling.
• Heat oven to 425°F. With floured rolling pin, roll 1 pastry round into round 2 inches larger than upside-down 9-inch glass pie plate. Fold pastry into fourths; place in pie plate. Unfold and ease into plate, pressing firmly against bottom and side.
• Drain pineapple, reserving juice. Spoon pineapple into pastry-lined pie plate. In 1-quart saucepan, mix 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup flour, the cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir in 1/2 cup of the reserved juice (reserve remaining juice). Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute; remove from heat. Stir in butter. Pour over pineapple. Trim overhanging edge of pastry 1 inch from rim of pie plate.
• Roll other round of pastry into 10-inch round. Cut round into 1/2-inch strips. Place 6 strips across filling. To make lattice top, weave a cross-strip through center by first folding back every other strip going the other way. Continue weaving lattice, folding back alternate strips before adding each cross-strip, until lattice is complete. Trim ends of strips. Fold trimmed edge of bottom crust over ends of strips, building up a high edge; seal and flute. Cover edge with 3-inch strip of foil to prevent excessive browning during baking.
• Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until crust is brown and filling is bubbly, removing foil for last 15 minutes of baking.
• In medium bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed, gradually adding 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons reserved pineapple juice until smooth and creamy. Serve with pie.

CARIBBEAN BAKED PINEAPPLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F Remove all but about 1 inch of green leaves from top of pineapple. Cut pineapple in half lengthwise. With a serrated knife, carefully cut around the perimeter of each half pineapple. With a large serving spoon, carefully scoop out pineapple, separating it from the shell - be sure to keep the shell intact.
• Cut the flesh (not the shell) of each half pineapple in half again, lengthwise. Cut out the tough inner core. Cut the pineapple in 1-inch bite-size pieces (about 3 cups). Drain one pineapple shell on paper toweling. Discard the other shell.
• Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pineapple, lime segments, sugar and red pepper flakes. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Transfer pineapple mixture, including all butter, to pineapple shell. Set aside.
• Melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add breadcrumbs and saute, stirring frequently, until crumbs are toasted and browned. Top pineapple with tasted breadcrumbs.
• Place pineapple shell in an appropriately sized baking dish. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. (You can prepare this recipe early in the day, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until baking. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.).
• NOTE: In the tropics, fruit is quite often cooked like a vegetable and served as a side dish. If you want an even more peppery kick to this dish, add 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb-butter mixture.

CARIBBEAN ROASTED PINEAPPLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
• 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.

CARIBBEAN CHICKEN WITH PINEAPPLE-CILANTRO RICE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Mix together the light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, thyme, cumin, 1 teaspoon of garlic salt, paprika, chili powder, and nutmeg in a bowl until thoroughly combined. Rub both sides of chicken breasts with the spice mixture, and place into a 9x9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle any remaining seasoning mix on top of chicken, if desired.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the chicken is lightly browned, no longer pink inside, and the juices run clear, about 30 minutes. An instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a chicken breast should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).
• While chicken is baking, bring the rice and water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender, and the liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Chop half the pineapple slices. Mix the chopped pineapple, cilantro, and olive oil into the cooked rice, and season to taste with a pinch or two of garlic salt and black pepper. Fluff the rice up with a fork, and transfer to a serving platter. Serve with the baked chicken, topped with remaining pineapple slices.

CARIBBEAN PINEAPPLE CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and 1/2 cup pineapple juice until smooth. Stir in the mustard, thyme and pepper flakes; set aside. Sprinkle chicken with salt. In a large nonstick skillet, saute chicken in oil for 3-4 minutes or until chicken juices run clear. Remove from the skillet and keep warm., Pour remaining pineapple juice into skillet. Stir in green onions and raisins; cook and stir for 1 minute. Stir reserved pineapple juice mixture and add to skillet. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Return chicken to skillet; heat through. Stir in bananas. Serve over rice if desired.

CARIBBEAN PINEAPPLE SALSA

Steps:

• Squeeze all of the liquid out of the tomato and chop finely.
• Put the brown sugar in a glass or ceramic bowl. Add the vinegar. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the remaining ingredients and combine. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

CARIBBEAN PINEAPPLE COLESLAW

Steps:

• Shred cabbage fine.
• Shred carrots fine.
• Drain well canned pineapple chunks.
• Combine fruit and vegies in a large bowl and toss.
• To prepare the dressing:.
• Combine sweetened condensed milk with the mustard of choice and salt.
• Gradually add a little bit (a teaspoon at a time) of the oil, beating constantly.
• Continue adding oil slowly, beating all the while.
• Gradually beat in the evaporated milk, vinegar and peppers.
• Pour dressing over all, and toss.
• Cover and refrigerate until needed.
• You can also add a few green spring chopped onions if desired.