pineapple - Around My Family Table

Pina Colada Fruit Dip

January 9, 2013 · by amft · 6 Comments

I’m always trying to figure out how to get healthy foods into my kids, but I have to stay on my toes or they get bored. Unfortunately, many of the Pina Colada Fruit Dips call for instant coconut pudding, which is not healthy at all. I knew I could make a similar tasting dip without pudding and make it healthy enough for even a fun breakfast. I’ve done fruit dips before, but I think this one really impressed the kids! This dip is so refreshing and I love this little chunks from the crushed pineapple; however, if you aren’t a fan of slightly chunky dips then give it a whirl in the blender before serving.

Since it is January and I’m trying to feed my family healthier (darn those pesky resolutions), I thought a yogurt dip was perfect! It has tons of calcium, healthy probiotics, protein, and all the other health benefits associated with dairy.

Plus aren’t those cute fruit pieces perfect for Valentine’s Day! I just sliced the fruit thin and used a small heart-shaped cookie cutter. Super simple, right? I think these will make an appearance on our breakfast table for Valentine’s. Today, though, it was an after school snack. My oldest usually begs for ice cream after school, not sure why…I hardly ever give it to her. Once I placed this platter in front of her, she gobbled it and didn’t even ask for ice cream.

I wasn’t able to actually try this dip, but I served it to hubbyman and the piano teacher. Both agreed that it was “super yummy” and hubbyman said it reminded him of the Pina Coladas we had on our honeymoon in Jamaica (without all rum).

Pina Colada Fruit Dip

8 oz can of crushed pineapple, undrained

3/4 cup vanilla yogurt

1 tsp coconut extract

garish with extra sweetened shredded coconut

In a small mixing, combine ingredients. If you prefer a smooth dip, give it a pulse or two in a blender.

Serve with slices of melon, berries, grapes, pineapple, and apple slices.

http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/2013/01/pina-colada-fruit-dip/

Disclaimer: This post was made in partnership with AZ Milk Producers. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Filed Under: appetizers, ef appetizers, ef parties, ef snacks, gf appetizers, gf parties, gf snacks, kid friendly, parties, party food, snacks, valentine's · Tagged: appetizer, dessert, dip, fruit, party, pineapple

Pineapple Mint Granita

September 21, 2012 · by amft · 2 Comments

Fall is in the air for a lot of the country, but it’s still in the upper 90′s here in sunny Arizona. So, I had to squeeze in one last frozen treat for the season. It’s so easy and only has 4 ingredients.

When I attended the Phoenix Cooks event earlier this month, one of my most favorite dishes from the entire event was a pinepple mint sorbet from District American Kitchen (I believe). Oh, it was so delightful and I couldn’t get it out of my head. I really want to check out that restaurant and score a bigger portion…I wonder if it’s on their menu?

I’m gonna preach at you again about the importance of a great blender. If you have a powerful one (Vita-Mix or BlendTec only), then feel free to use add in the pineapple core. If you don’t, then you will need to cut it out before throwing everything in the blender.

Trust me…the mint really gives this sweet dessert a fantastic taste. It’s just a hint of mint, but it’s definitely there. And it’s so easy, throw it in the blender, pour into a freezer container, and once it’s frozen scrape with a fork to loosen it up.

It’s a nice, clean, and not overly sweet dessert for the end of summer!

Pineapple Mint Granita

1 whole pineapple

2 mint leaves

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup water

Slice off the pineapple peel and roughly chop. (If not using a powerful blender, remove core.)

Place all ingredients in blender. Process until smooth, just 45-90 seconds. Pour into a large freezer safe container and freezer for about an hour.

When ready to serve, remove from freezer. Using the tines of a fork, scrape the mixture into little ice crystals.

Enjoy!

http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/2012/09/pineapple-mint-granita/

Filed Under: desserts, frozen treats · Tagged: dessert, frozen, mint, pineapple

Pineapple Cherry Fluff

April 9, 2012 · by amft · 6 Comments

My mom makes a side dish (which should really be a dessert) that she calls Pink Stuff. It is delicious! I get cravings for it around the holidays, but I haven’t made it recently due to my daughter’s allergy to food dyes. So, I began a quest to come up with a version that used no dyes. It was a little harder to do than I originally expected. So much flavor came from those red/pink ingredients. But after several tries, I think I have it with this Pineapple Cherry Fluff!

It’s not as pretty to look at as Pink Stuff, but my Pineapple Cherry Fluff has tons of flavor and is dye free! It really is more of a dessert than a side dish, but I always serve it as a side dish. That’s so naughty, I know, but I can’t help it!

Pineapple Cherry Fluff

20 oz can Del Monte crushed pineapple, drained

14.5 oz can tart pitted cherries, drained*

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup shredded sweetened coconut

1 (1/4oz) packet unflavored gelatin, dry

14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

12-14 oz frozen whipped topping, thawed

1/8 cup frozen pineapple juice concentrate, thawed

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well. Cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for several hours or overnight.

This dish is so easy and can be made a day in advance. It also freezes nicely too!

* Tart pitted cherries can be found in the canned fruit aisle. This is not the same as cherry pie filling.

http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/2012/04/pineapple-cherry-fluff/

Disclaimer: I received a Del Monte gift basket to help promote a contest.

Filed Under: desserts, dye free, ef desserts, ef sides, frozen treats, fruits, gf desserts, gf sides, side dishes · Tagged: dessert, fruit, pineapple, salad

Pineapple Whips

March 22, 2012 · by amft · 15 Comments

Yesterday, I received an email in my inbox from one of my best friends requesting that I quickly (apparently she had a deadline) come up with a little healthier version of the Dole Whip that everyone loves at Disney World. I’ve only been to Disney World once when I was really little and so I have idea what this tasty concoction actually tastes like. I haven’t seen it at DisneyLand…maybe it’s there, I don’t know. Anyway, I’ve heard from a few people that it’s really good.

All the recipes that I came across call for canned pineapple. Why? Why not real, fresh, sweet pineapple?!?! And I took out the sugar and used a little agave nectar instead. It’s healthier and a low glycemix index food. I used my VitaMix to make most of this dessert; however, a BlendTec or food processor would work and an ice cream maker is needed!

For such short notice, I think I did okay. Not the best picture, but the kids were on top of me begging for their drinks and licking the counter where it spilled a little. I could not keep those little ones away from it. That is the downfall of blogging and making yummy new treats. Those darn kids…they just don’t understand a photo shoot and getting a great picture.

Pineapple Whip

2 pineapples, peeled and cored*

1 lime, juiced

2 tbls agave nectar

1 1 /2 cups whole milk, half & half, or heavy cream

1/2 tsp vanilla

Blend pineapple with lime juice and agave nectar in heavy duty blender or food processor until smooth. Pour into a bowl, cover, and store in the refrigerator until well chilled.

In blender or processor, process cold cream and vanilla until thick and creamy. Add in pineapple mix and blend well.

Pour into ice cream maker and follow manufacture's instructions for making ice cream. When it's done, place in a freezer safe container and allow it to harden for an hour or two before serving.

*If you have VitaMix or BlendTec, use the core too! It adds lots of great nutrients!

http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/2012/03/pineapple-whips/

Filed Under: beverages, desserts, frozen treats, non-alcoholic, smoothies · Tagged: dessert, ice cream, pineapple

Kids in the Kitchen: Pineapple Not-Upside-Down Muffins

August 5, 2011 · by amft · 12 Comments

Today’s Kids in the Kitchen is from Kris who blogs at In the Kitchen with Audrey.

“I started cooking with Audrey when she was less than two-years-old. She was curious and always underfoot in the kitchen during dinner. By including her in the preparations she was engaged and no longer in the way. I heard that cooking with children was a great way to get them to try new foods. It didn’t work with Audrey! At least not at first. Now she is a lot more adventurous and will try new foods. She still has a fairly narrow pallet. Her little sister is a different story, she will not try anything, yet. Audrey will be four in December and little sister, Maurene, just turned two. We like these muffins a lot but Audrey knows they are a treat and we do not eat them all the time. She is learning about too much sugar consumption.”

Want to feature your family and a family recipe? Send me an email to schedule a time….aroundmyfamilytable (at) gmail (dot) com.

Pineapple Not-Upside-Down Muffins

1 cup AP flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsps baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 cup melted butter or olive oil
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/4 cup butterscotch chips

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease 12 muffin tins.

In a large bowl mix flours, baking powder, and salt, set aside. In a medium bowl add milk, egg and butter, mix well. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in pineapple and dried cherries. Fill muffin tins 3/4 full and then sprinkle with butterscotch chips.

Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean. (Keep an eye on them because you don’t want to burn your
butterscotch chips.) Remove from oven and cool in tin for 5 minutes and then move to a cooling rack. Enjoy!

Teachable Moments: measurements, baking soda reactions, cooking with whole wheat flour vs white flour, health benefits of whole wheat flour and fruits

Kids in the Kitchen is a monthly feature on the first Friday of the Month.
Want to check out the previous KITK posts?

Cheese Enchiladas
BBQ Chicken Bites
Canning Jam
Irish Soda Bread

Filed Under: cakes/cupcakes, desserts, kid friendly, kids in the kitchen · Tagged: baking, dessert, kids, muffins, pineapple

Coconut Grilled Pineapple

March 23, 2011 · by amft · 3 Comments

Hubbyman and I were watching one of our favorite cooking shows on PBS called Primal Grill with Steven Raichlen. Seriously, hubbyman even took me on a vacation to the resort where it is filmed.

He made this wonderful looking dessert and so we just had to make it the next day. It was so simple and so tasty. I had never had grilled pineapple before, but it will definitely be on our menu more often. Of course, the kids loved that we served ice cream with it.

Coconut Grilled Pineapple

1 ripe pineapple

1 can (14 oz) coconut milk

1 1/2 cups sugar (granulated or turbinado)

1 tsp ground cinnamon

vanilla ice cream

Peel pineapple and slice into 1 inch thick slices. Core each slice with a melon baller or apple corer. Combine sugar and cinnamon in one bowl and pour the coconut milk (shake it really well before pouring) into a second bowl.

Move all ingredients to the grilling area. Preheat grill to med high heat. Dip each pineapple ring into the coconut to coat and then into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Making sure it’s well coated. Place immediately on the hot grill. Grill for 4-6 minutes on each side.

Transfer to a serving platter and serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.