pineapple

20 Delicious Ways to Use Pineapple

Rebecca Leib — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 21:36:35 +0000

Those strange, spiky fruits that we know and love have a lot more to them than meets the eye. If you're cooking on a budget, it can be especially fun to involve the pineapple in different recipes, flavor profiles, and contexts. Here are 20 recipes for any season that you can whip up on the cheap. Bon appetit! (See also: Fresh Fruits and Veggies By the Month)

1. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

This classic dish (when made well!) is one of my favorite desserts. It's much better with fresh pineapple, but canned can also do the trick. Also, the ingredients required are fairly basic, making it easy on the wallet. To make an extra fun Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, try this recipe from Martha Stewart, which includes mango in the recipe.

2. Grilled Pineapple

Simply grilling some cut pieces of pineapple makes a great, simple snack or side. Pair with some coconut sorbet for dessert, or some protein for an entree. The versatile pineapple will sate every palate and taste. (See also: Vegan Grill Recipes)

3. Acorn Squash (and Pineapple)

This sweet acorn squash recipe from the Food Network is especially delicious because it includes pineapple. Use canned or fresh pineapple with some sugar, butter, and squash for a simple fall meal that incorporates some lovely tropical flare.

4. Pico De Gallo

Put a sweet spin on a traditional with this great recipe for pineapple pico de gallo. It pairs nicely with grilled fish, chicken, or pork — or grab a chip and dig in.

5. Pineapple Casserole

Looking for a sweet, offbeat dessert that's hot and includes pineapple? Look no further! This pineapple casserole is great if you want to infuse some tropical zing at the end of a wintry meal. And, it's cheap — the recipe calls for sugar, butter, cheese, pineapple, and cracker crumbs. That's it!

6. Polynesian Chicken

If you have some chicken waiting for a zesty dressing, try this simple, affordable recipe for Polynesian chicken. It calls for canned pineapple, but you can easily toss in some fresh wedges to make the dish sing. Pair with a pot of rice and the tropical cocktail of your choice, and you have yourself an innovative summer meal.

7. Pineapple Sorbet

It seems difficult to make, but it really isn't. Don't tell dinner party guests, though- they'll think you're a culinary whiz with this super simple pineapple sorbet recipe from the Fat Free Vegan. Enjoy.

8. Pineapple Jam

Preserve that delicious pineapple flavor in a yummy fruit spread or jam. Here's a recipe for pineapple-lime jam that will keep pineapple in your life well into those cold winter months. (See also: Preserving In-Season Foods for Off-Season Eats)

9. Pineapple Fudge

This out-of-the-ordinary confection brings my two passions together — pineapple and chocolate. Try out a pineapple fudge recipe for winter gifts or summer gatherings, or even slice a chunk off to pair with a fresh fruit salad.

10. Sweet and Sour Vegetables

For a flavorful meal on a budget, try this classic Chinese dish. This sweet and sour recipe uses chicken, but you can use any protein or none at all. Pair with white or brown rice, and you'll have yourself a satisfying meal.

11. Hawaiian Pizza

Pizza's a family favorite, but often pineapple is overlooked in the vast array of toppings. Don't cheat delicious pineapple out of its cheesy, saucy glory! Make your own Hawaiian pizza or order one for delivery. You won't be disappointed.

12. Kabobs

If you have a grill and some stray veggies, you can make yourself a mighty fine kabob! This recipe is for veggie kabobs, but you can get creative with it, using not only pineapple but also mushrooms, tofu, shrimp, even strawberries.

13. Pineapple Popsicles

For a fun treat for kids and adults alike, try these simple pineapple popsicles. They only have three ingredients — milk, pineapple, and sugar, but this cool treat is loaded with flavor.

14. Pineapple Cheese Ball

This Southern favorite is great for parties. The ingredients are cheap and the prep is around five minutes, but the end result seems much more involved. When it's done, dig into this recipe with your favorite cracker.

15. Tropical Fruit Salad

Yes, the pineapple does play well with others. Give it a place in a great, seasonal, or tropical fruit salad for a healthy spin on dessert. This tropical fruit salad recipe has honey and lime juice for added flavor.

16. Pineapple Marshmallow Salad

If you want to try something a little different, go for a pineapple marshmallow salad, which takes mayo, marshmallows, and pineapple to new heights of innovation. Ten minutes, and you'll have a salad that screams sweet, light, and delicious.

17. Squid With Garlic and Pineapple

This Vietnamese dish is inexpensive, simple, and very exotic! Fried squid are paired with luscious pieces of pineapple and toasted garlic to create a great (and fairly healthy!) plate of delicious food.

18. Pork and Pineapples

Pork and pineapples are natural complements to each other — the pork being low fat and saltier and the pineapple providing the sweet. Any way you cook these two ingredients you'll get a delicious flavorful interplay, so don't be shy. To start, try this great grilled Pork and pineapple recipe.

19. Honey Roasted Pineapple

Orange juice, honey, and pineapples make up this lovely little dessert recipe, which roasts the pineapple into tender, warm little treats. Eat with some vanilla, coconut, or chocolate ice cream for added deliciousness.

20. Cocktails!

Obviously, pineapple goes great in a vast array of cocktails, adding sweetness and texture to cut the flavor of the alcohol. Here's a great recipe for a pineapple cocktail, if you want to keep your pineapple center stage. (See also: 20 Two-Ingredient Cocktails)

Remember — pineapples don't keep well, so use them within 2-3 days after they get ripe. It shouldn't be hard to put a delicious pineapple to use, with all of these creative recipes to choose from!

What's your favorite way to prepare delicious pineapple?

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This article is from Rebecca Leib of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

20 Delectable, Frugal Pineapple Recipes

Jennifer Holder — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:36:33 +0000

Pineapples are in season, which means it’s spring! (See also: Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, by the Month)

It also means you’re going to be seeing a lot more of this exotic, fragrant fruit in the grocery store, so I’ve compiled a few recipes below to make the most of the tropics. But before you head out to buy a pineapple, follow this guide to pick out a perfectly ripe one (unless, of course you want to go canned, which I will not disrespect you for). I’ll wait right here.

Okay, caught up? Let’s go.

1. Upside Down Cake

Sorry to throw in Paula Deen right off the bat, but let’s be honest, she probably gets this infamous pineapple cake the best.

2. Pina Colada

Use the juice of a pineapple to make this sweet drink — no need to purchase the drink mix! Garnish with a pineapple, and you’re good to go.

3. Salsa

This pineapple salsa is good on anything from chicken to tacos, but it’s best served on pork.

4. Ice Pops

Now that the sun is shining and spring is in the air, make some simple frozen pineapple pops for the kiddos (and, of course, adults) to enjoy.

5. Tamales

My friend, who’s an excellent cook, suggested pineapple tamales to add to the list. While she’s never made them, she had a friend who brought them to her family every Christmas as a gift, and they were devoured within seconds.

6. Tart

These Taiwanese pineapple tarts seem delicious and are on one of my favorite sites, Rasa Malaysia. The tarts don’t have actual pineapple in them, but the gooey paste in the middle is filled with pineapple essence!

7. Fried Rice

Likewise, Rasa Malaysia has my favorite recipe for pineapple fried rice, which I’ve made every time I miss Thai food and can’t afford to eat it (for some reason it’s far too expensive where I live). Please note that I have eaten it out of a pineapple before, and you don’t actually have to use the shrimp paste or fish sauce.

8. Baked Chicken

As soon as I saw this recipe for sweet and savory baked chicken with pineapple and tarragon, I was sold. First of all, it’s easy and requires very few ingredients, and second of all, it’s looks delicious. If you eat meat, try it! If you don’t, I’m sorry.

9. Casserole

As with everything, pineapple can also be a casserole. It’s really more of a cake or cobbler, but since we’re already pretending casseroles are healthy, we’ll just keep pretending with this one.

10. Canned

Well, it’s true. You can can anything. If you’re not one for store=bought canned pineapple, use your spring pineapples wisely and set yourself up for the months when it’s not so fresh.

11. Salad

This simple mango pineapple coconut salad requires very few ingredients but offers a ton of nutrients.

12. Pie

If you like chess pie, try this exotic take on the country staple. If meringue pie is more your speed, then try out this pineapple meringue recipe.

13. Soup

That’s right, fruit soup. Add some dried fruit, apples, juice, and a few spices to your pineapples, and cook overnight.

14. Cookies

Of course, you can put pretty much anything into cookies, and pineapples are no exception.

15. Vodka

What? Yes, it’s true. Make pineapple and mint-infused vodka with this easy and super simple infused vodka recipe from Bon Appetit.

16. Slaw

Make your typical, everyday slaw much better with exotic fruit. This tasty slaw would be perfect on some barbeque.

17. Baked Hawaiian Islands

The other non-contiguous state has its own baked cake, so why shouldn’t Hawaii? Plus, you can never go wrong with combining pineapple and coconut. Check out this somewhat complicated dessert recipe, and get to celebrating the last state to join the United States.

18. Empandaditas

Like the tamales, add some flair to this Latin dish (which really has its origins in Europe). This is a perfect dessert for a party!

19. Ambrosia

This may not be the food of the gods, and more the Southern version of salad, but ambrosia is certainly a popular dish at churches and country weddings alike.

20. Caribbean Jerk Chicken Wings

Pineapples are an important part of this chicken wing flavoring. It also requires little to no time, unlike some marinades.

What's your favorite way to enjoy pineapple?

This article is from Jennifer Holder of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: