Marianne Martinez
Grilled pineapple is a delicious and healthy dessert or side dish that can be easily made at home. It is a perfect dish for summer entertaining and can be served with grilled chicken, steak, or fish. To make grilled pineapple, you will need a fresh pineapple, butter, oil or cooking spray, and seasonings like cinnamon, honey, or brown sugar. The pineapple is cut into rings or slices, seasoned, and then grilled on a stovetop grill pan or an outdoor grill. The cooking time is typically around 2-5 minutes on each side, depending on the desired level of caramelization and browning. The grilled pineapple can be served warm or chilled and can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
Grilling pineapple in a pan
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of pineapple | Ripe, golden, aromatic, not mushy or brown |
| Cut | Pineapple rings, slices, or spears |
| Marinade | Brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, honey, lime juice, hot sauce, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, vanilla, salt |
| Grill temperature | Medium heat |
| Grill marks | Wait for grill marks before flipping |
| Cooking time | 2-5 minutes per side |
| Serving | Warm, cold, in a salad, on pizza, in a sandwich, with ice cream, chocolate, or mascarpone cheese |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Choosing a ripe pineapple
Colour: A ripe pineapple should have a golden yellow colour, with some green still remaining at the base. Avoid pineapples that are entirely dark green, as they are likely underripe, or dark yellow/orange, which may indicate that they are overripe. The higher the yellow colour rises up the pineapple, the sweeter it will be.
Smell: A ripe pineapple should have a sweet, tropical fragrance. If the pineapple has little to no scent, it may not be fully ripe yet. If it smells slightly funky or like vinegar, it may be overripe as the natural sugars are starting to ferment.
Texture: Give the pineapple a gentle squeeze. A ripe pineapple should feel firm but have a slight give. If it is rock-solid, it may be underripe, while an overripe pineapple will feel very soft or spongy.
Weight: Pick up a few pineapples and compare their weights. The heavier the pineapple, the riper and juicier it is likely to be.
Leaf Test: Some people believe that if a leaf can be easily removed from the crown, the pineapple is ripe. However, this is an urban myth. If a leaf comes out easily, it actually indicates that the pineapple is rotten.
Remember, once you have chosen your ripe pineapple, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days to maintain its freshness.
The Optimal Thickness for Fiberglass Seat Pans
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Preparing the pineapple
Lay the pineapple on its side on a cutting board. Carefully slice off the top (the leafy crown) and bottom of the pineapple. Then, stand the pineapple up so that the bottom is sitting on the cutting board. Use a sharp knife to carefully slice down and remove the hard peel. Remove any remaining brown eyes on the fruit.
Lay each circle flat on the cutting board. Use a paring knife or a small cookie cutter to remove the core from each pineapple slice. Now you have perfect pineapple rings! You can cut the pineapple into wedges for easier handling, and then thread them onto skewers before grilling.
If you are pressed for time, you can buy pre-cut pineapple or even use canned pineapple rings.
Hexclad Pans: Seasoning Secrets for Perfect Cooking
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Making the marinade
There are several ways to make a marinade for grilled pineapple. The most common ingredients are brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, honey, and lime juice. You can also add a little kick to the marinade by adding hot sauce or a sprinkle of salt. If you want to experiment with different flavours, you can substitute honey, molasses or golden syrup for the brown sugar, or add spices such as cloves, five-spice powder or cocoa powder.
To make the marinade, simply whisk together your chosen ingredients in a small bowl. For example, you can whisk together brown sugar, melted butter and cinnamon, or balsamic vinegar, melted butter and brown sugar. If you want to add honey, lime juice or hot sauce, brush these onto the pineapple slices just before grilling to promote caramelisation.
Once you have prepared your marinade, brush it over both sides of each pineapple slice. You can also dip each pineapple ring into the marinade before placing it on the grill. It is recommended to marinate the pineapple for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight, before grilling.
Unsticking Metal Pans: Quick and Easy Tricks
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cooking the pineapple
Firstly, cut your pineapple into slices or rings. You can do this by laying the pineapple on its side and slicing off the top and bottom, allowing you to stand it upright. Then carefully slice down the sides to remove the hard peel, and slice across to make rings.
If you want to marinate your pineapple, you can do so by placing the rings in a large resealable plastic bag with your chosen marinade. For example, you could use a mixture of melted butter, honey, hot sauce, and salt. Seal the bag and shake to coat the pineapple evenly. Leave the pineapple to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight.
When you are ready to cook the pineapple, heat your grill pan on the stove over medium heat. If you don't have a grill pan, you can use a skillet or cast-iron pan. Spray the pan lightly with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking.
Once the pan is hot, add the pineapple rings in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook the pineapple for 2-3 minutes without flipping, until you see grill marks and the fruit is lightly browned. Then carefully flip the pineapple and cook for another 2-3 minutes on the other side.
Remove the pineapple from the pan and serve immediately. You can garnish with fresh mint or basil, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon or brown sugar.
Adjusting Your Office Chair: Seat Pan Edition
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$80.98 $89.99
$16.99 $21.99
Serving suggestions
Grilled pineapple is a versatile dish that can be served as a side or a dessert.
As a side, it pairs well with savoury meats like grilled pork, beef, or chicken. It can also be served with grilled veggies, added to coleslaw, or used as a topping for burgers.
For a sweet treat, grilled pineapple can be served with chocolate, ice cream, whipped cream, angel food cake, or yogurt. It can also be a delicious topping for pancakes or waffles.
Grilled pineapple can also be a tasty snack on its own or a unique dessert, especially when served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
For a boozy twist, you can soak the pineapple in rum before grilling, or add a dash of vanilla extract.
Finally, grilled pineapple can be a great addition to a summer grilling menu or a Brazilian steakhouse-style feast, where it can be served alongside kabobs and steak.
Retightening Oil Pan Plug: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Cut the top and bottom off a fresh pineapple, stand it upright, and slice off the hard peel. Cut the pineapple into rings or wedges, and use a paring knife or small cookie cutter to remove the core.
Preheat the grill pan to medium heat.
Brush the pineapple with melted butter, honey, brown sugar, cinnamon, or a mixture of these ingredients. You can also marinate the pineapple in a mixture of butter, honey, hot sauce, and salt.
Grill the pineapple for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until grill marks appear and the pineapple is tender and lightly browned.
