Sunday Pineapple Recipes

PINEAPPLE SUNDAES

Steps:

• Combine the chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat at 50 percent power for 2 minutes; stir, then microwave at 30-second intervals until completely melted. Whisk in the cocoa and 1 3/4 cups sugar until smooth. Microwave the mixture on full power for 5 minutes, stopping to whisk occasionally. (Don't worry if the mixture looks grainy; continue to cook and whisk until smooth.) Add 1 cup half-and-half and microwave on full power until smooth and slightly fudgy, 2 minutes. Transfer to a thermos to keep warm.
• Fold the remaining 2 tablespoons half-and-half and 2 tablespoons sugar into the mascarpone in a bowl; cover and refrigerate.
• Preheat a grill to medium. Brush the cake slices lightly with oil and grill for 1 to 2 minutes per side. Brush the pineapple lightly with oil and grill until marked, about 1 minute per side.
• Top the cake with pineapple, a scoop of mascarpone cream and hot fudge. Garnish with coconut and/or nuts, if desired.

HOMEMADE PINEAPPLE UPSIDE-DOWN SUNDAE

Steps:

• For the ice cream: Whisk the cream, milk, sugar, vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Beat the egg yolks in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk 1 cup of the hot cream mixture into the beaten yolks, then pour back into the saucepan, whisking, and return to medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture thickens, coats the spoon and reaches 180 degrees F on a thermometer, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl or measuring cup; discard the solids. Stir often until the mixture cools to room temperature. Lightly press plastic wrap directly against the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming. Chill until cold, about 3 hours. (For faster chilling, set the bowl of custard in a bowl of ice water and stir until cold.)
• For the pineapple swirl: Combine the cream, butter and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a measuring cup and set aside. Cook the sugar, corn syrup and 1 tablespoon water in a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved, stirring occasionally. Increase the heat to medium high and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook, swirling the saucepan once or twice so that the caramel cooks evenly, until it reaches a medium amber color, about 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and carefully pour the cream mixture into the sugar mixture. Whisk until smooth. Pour about 3/4 cup of the caramel into a measuring cup and set aside.
• Stir the crushed pineapple and any juices into the remaining 1/2 cup caramel in the saucepan and return to medium heat. Cook until reduced and thickened, about 12 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes and then process in a food processor until pureed. Chill until ready to use.
• Freeze the cold custard in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's directions. Transfer half of the ice cream to an 8-inch square metal pan and swirl in 1/2 cup of the pineapple mixture with a butter knife, using circular motions to distribute the pineapple throughout the cream. Add the remaining ice cream and repeat with the remaining pineapple. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, 2 to 3 hours.
• To assemble: Warm the caramel sauce in the microwave at high power for 30 seconds. Put a slice of pound cake in the bottoms of 8 bowls and top with a slice of pineapple, a scoop of ice cream and a dollop of whipped cream. Drizzle with caramel sauce and top with a maraschino cherry.

SUNDAY PINEAPPLE

Steps:

• Mix the pineapple, cheese, sugar and flour and spread in a 9x13 pan.
• Cover with Ritz crackers and drizzle with melted butter.
• Bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

SUNDAY BEST FRUIT SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, toss the chopped apples in reserved pineapple juice. Allow to sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
• In a large salad bowl, combine the peach pie filling and pineapple chunks.
• Remove apples from pineapple juice and add to pie filling and pineapple mixture. Add chopped bananas to reserved pineapple juice and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Peel and slice kiwi and 1/2 of strawberries. Chop the other 1/2 of strawberries and set aside.
• Remove bananas from pineapple juice and add to pie filling mixture. Add chopped strawberries; toss together.
• Arrange kiwi slices around the edge of the serving bowl and alternate with strawberry slices. Chill and serve.