Caramelized Baby Pineapple with Coconut Sorbet & Coconut-Curry Cookies + Giveaway!
South African baby pineapples, also known as Queen Victoria, boast a gorgeous prominent golden color which immediately caught my eye at the market the other day. I couldn’t resist buying a few. Not only they are fragrant and sweet with a bold, rich flavor but get this - the inside is entirely edible, so no need to remove the core. Groovy, isn’t it?
When you come across a fruit that’s already perfect it’s almost a crime to mess with it too much. On the other hand, i would feel equally guilty to write a post about sliced pineapple. I don’t want you, my dear readers, to ask for a refund on this post. What do you mean it’s free!?.. Really?..err .. nevermind, then. Anyway i decided to build great flavor into the fresh pineapple without too much extra fuss. I’m a big fan of caramelized pineapple, so much in fact that i often serve a composed dessert that consist of caramelized pineapple with a flourless walnut cake and a rum sabayon at dinner parties. While it’s a great dessert it’s still a bit too much for these baby pineapples. Simple is all you want sometimes.
The perfect counter-balance to the exotic aroma and deep caramel tones is a simple, refreshing coconut sorbet. It goes well with the tropical theme of our story and it’s a match made for the Gods but wait, there’s more…
The extra mile of oomph comes from the coconut-curry cookies from my friend Laurent who founded The Flat Turtle, a cookie company based in New York that offers delicious gourmet cookies for the adult palette. They pride themselves in the fact they prepare your cookies from the best ingredients - only when they get the order - never before. Those coconut-curry were buttery and crumbly just like the best French sablés should be. The expert combination of curry and coconut in the cookies hits all the right notes and makes the perfect addition to this dessert. So don’t forget to check them out on Etsy for more interesting flavors like chocolate-coriander and lemon-thyme cookies.
“Is he gonna shut up, yet? What about the giveaway?”
No, no, i didn’t forget! The Flat Turtle has generously offered to send a tasting box (like on the picture above) to a lucky reader of this blog. Yes, that means you! All you have to to is leave a comment below. Eaaasy! A winner will be picked at random. You have until Sunday, February 7th at midnight (eastern time) to enter.
Let’s go!
-
Caramelized Baby Pineapple with Coconut Sorbet
- serves 4
-
Caramelized Baby Pineapple:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 4 Queen Victoria pineapples, or 1 ripe pineapple
-
Coconut Sorbet:
- 2 cups coconut milk
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 cup sugar (for simple syrup)
- 1/2 cup water (for simple syrup)
- 1/3 cup Malibu Rum
-
Caramelized Baby Pineapple:
- If using Queen Victoria pineapples, cut them in half, carve the inside with a small knife and scoop it out with a large spoon. Cut in large chunks and reserve the skin/top part for serving. If using a regular pineapple, remove the skin and the core and cut into 8 wedges.
- Heat the butter in a large saute pan over high heat until foamy. Add the sugar and cook until deep golden brown. Add the pineapple and cook, making sure to roll it in the caramel so it gets caramelized evenly. The whole process takes 10-15 minutes depending on the size. When the pineapple is glazed and a beautiful amber color transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon.
- Serve with coconut sorbet and coconut-curry sorbet.
-
Coconut Sorbet:
- To make the simple syrup, combine the sugar and water and bring to a boil. Boil until slightly thickened, about 6 minutes. Cool completely.
- Stir the coconut milk, milk, cream and the tablespoon of sugar in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and place in a bowl on top of ice to cool rapidly. Stir 1/3 cup simple syrup + rum. When completely cold, transfer to an ice cream machine. Reserve the coconut sorbet in the freezer.
January 31st, 2010 at 4:43 pm
gorgeous once again! loving the coconut sorbet recipe as well - will have to try it out!
@dulcita518
January 31st, 2010 at 4:46 pm
I came across these at my local market and marveled at them too…I don’t think I’ve ever noticed them before. These carmelized baby pineapples look wonderful (and your food photography, delicious!). I’m gonna give it a try.
January 31st, 2010 at 4:52 pm
What time is dessert served?
Your pictures are beautiful!
January 31st, 2010 at 4:55 pm
The combination of pineapple and coconut is the greatest discovery ever! Their flavors just compliment each other so well. By the way, I’ve never seen these South African pineapples before. They look delicious.
January 31st, 2010 at 5:02 pm
I often eat the cores on regular pineapples, only because the Chinese part of me won’t let me throw out anything, so good tasting cores would be nice. haha
Anyway, being new to your blog, just want to say that your stuff is gorgeous!
January 31st, 2010 at 5:10 pm
i had the same first reaction - what to do with those pineapples you asked? just slice and eat!
then again, caramelized with butter and sugar - well, i can’t really argue with that.
that jar immediately caught my eye above, and your description of perfect, exotic sablés sounds divine. fingers are crossed for the giveaway!
January 31st, 2010 at 5:13 pm
Nice one, I remember the baby ananas from Cuba, they were great!
January 31st, 2010 at 5:21 pm
great stuff man…..looks delish!
January 31st, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Je suis bien d’accord, la meilleure facon de préparer l’ananas est de le carameliser. Et si qq avait un doute, il suffit de tes photos pour le convaincre!
January 31st, 2010 at 5:27 pm
It all sounds so “tropical”–perfect for a rather wintery day.
January 31st, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Oh wow, I have never seen pineapples like those! They are so cute!
January 31st, 2010 at 5:41 pm
Those cookies are really intriguing! I’d love to have a taste…
January 31st, 2010 at 5:55 pm
No sane Thai people, when confronted with keywords like pineapple, coconut, curry could fight off the natural urge to salivate. I’m leaving a comment. Now, please rig the raffle and send me a box of those babies. Trust me. It’s ethical.
Saw those little pineapples at the store a few weeks ago. Now I know what to do with them.
January 31st, 2010 at 6:10 pm
this post is way too pretty - no seriously - it is!
January 31st, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Pineapple and coconut are a match made in Sultry Food Heaven.
Okay..Send me MY COOKIES! NOW!
January 31st, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Delicious! I want little baby pineapples!
January 31st, 2010 at 7:56 pm
How fun! Count me in.
January 31st, 2010 at 8:22 pm
*drool* This is so mouthwatering..
January 31st, 2010 at 8:59 pm
Mmm Pineapple! Mmm giveaways!
January 31st, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Love caramelised pineapple AND coconut sorbet. Two thumbs up!
January 31st, 2010 at 9:05 pm
This dessert looks amazing
January 31st, 2010 at 9:14 pm
why are baby or miniature foods so much cuter than regular sized ones? Looks really delicious.
January 31st, 2010 at 9:28 pm
Pineapples are sweet “as is”…I can only imagine the sweetness you’ve coaxed here.
January 31st, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Looks fabulous. Sorbet is almost NEVER wrong!
January 31st, 2010 at 10:30 pm
such cute little pineapples! could you send me some of your terrine along with those cookies please? yum!
January 31st, 2010 at 11:01 pm
I have been looking for coconut ice cream / sorbet. Yours is a catch! Also I just bought pineapple too! Thanks!!
January 31st, 2010 at 11:06 pm
They’re so darling! I love the idea of them being so sweet and tender that you don’t have to remove the core. It looks absolutely luscious!
January 31st, 2010 at 11:36 pm
Insanely weird! I was just looking at broiling some pineapple. Oh yeah, and those cookies have my name on them.
February 1st, 2010 at 1:11 am
I would love these little pineapples! Ive never heard of them before - grilled pineapple is delish!
February 1st, 2010 at 1:32 am
mmmm, du lait de coco, des ananas… j’ai tout ca sous la main, il faut bien des avantages au fait de vivre dans une chaleur infernale au laos :)merci pour la recette!
February 1st, 2010 at 1:53 am
Pineapple just caramelizes so darn well, it’s hard to screw up either way. There’s a reason pineapple upside-down cake is one of my favorites.
I would love to try these wee cookies!
February 1st, 2010 at 1:54 am
I love the concept of coconut-curry cookies! Does the Flat Turtle have a physical location in NY?
February 1st, 2010 at 2:03 am
Those pineapples are so exquisite.
February 1st, 2010 at 2:10 am
These pineapples are very cute, love them! Wished they had it here in the US.
February 1st, 2010 at 2:18 am
What cute little pineapples. And coconut curry cookies sound so interesting - I hope I win!
February 1st, 2010 at 2:59 am
How about this for a plan…..I cook and you do desserts……Those tiny pineapples are so cute!!!
February 1st, 2010 at 5:01 am
Wow, looks fantastic! I love the look of that caramelized pineapple…delicious! And even better with sorbet.
February 1st, 2010 at 8:41 am
[...] View original here: Caramelized Baby Pineapple with Coconut Sorbet & Coconut-Curry … [...]
February 1st, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Beuatiful, thanks for the cookie turn-on
February 1st, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Chocolate. Coriander. Cookies. Damn, these look so perfect. I looked at Etsy website but does your friend Laurent not has a store so far ?
February 1st, 2010 at 1:33 pm
I never knew of such a thing. But I do know Vietnamese pinapples are small too, but I never tasted them.
February 1st, 2010 at 2:15 pm
This looks like the perfect dessert to pretend like I am on a tropical vacation rather than looking out my window at a gray Northwest winter. Thanks!
February 1st, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Ahhh, I love your blog! That baby pineapple looks wonderful! Where can I get these!?!! I’m hungry for this tropical treat!
February 1st, 2010 at 3:01 pm
C’est vraiment mal si je commente uniquement pour essayer de gagner la boîte de cookies ?? haha c’est la honteuse vérité :)) Les photos sont incroyables, comme d’habitude.
February 1st, 2010 at 4:05 pm
oh man, that looks gorgeous! I can just imagine slightly crisp, chewy, juicy caramalized pineapples…and I bet the cookies would be great with that!
February 1st, 2010 at 4:24 pm
I’ve never left a comment here before, but I faithfully follow your blog - YUM!
February 1st, 2010 at 6:17 pm
Coconut… curry… cookies? If I don’t win these, I’m going to have to try to make them myself, that sounds like an amazing flavor combo.
February 1st, 2010 at 6:37 pm
Miam! Je devrais essayer faire les “caramelised pineapples.” Also, I love the sound of them with walnut cake and rum saboyan.
February 1st, 2010 at 6:48 pm
I could use a tropical pick-me-up right about now. Thanks for the beautiful and tantalizing pics. And count me in for the drawing!
February 1st, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Oh man, this looks amazing! Thanks for the giveaway.
February 1st, 2010 at 9:01 pm
this recipe looks delicious!
February 1st, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Caramelizing is a good process for when you have too much, super ripe pineapple. Or, actually, any pineapple. I really like the sound of those cookies too.
February 1st, 2010 at 10:44 pm
Found your site via TasteSpotting - and so happy I did! This dessert looks simply (pun intended) amazing. I’ve never seen these baby pineapples before…wonder if I can find them on the West coast? Thanks for the giveaway!
February 1st, 2010 at 10:45 pm
The pineapple, sorbet, and cookies together look sooo good.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:09 pm
Baby pineapples? Where do I find these?
February 1st, 2010 at 11:12 pm
Drooling, my absolute favorite flavors/ textures.
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:39 am
Loved all the parts of this post. I’ve never heard of those pineapples before. I’d love to try one! That sorbet is going into my bookmarked recipes and the cookies sound amazing! This post was definitely worth more than the cost of admission.
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:35 am
Coconut curry cookies? Definitely count me in! I love to try new things.
And those are the cutest baby pineapples above!
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:29 am
Fabulous recipes, gorgeous photographs, and delicious giveaway! Thanks so much for a chance.
February 2nd, 2010 at 6:03 am
Oh yum… I love all pineapple… and caramelized is the best.. you dont have to do anything to it either..
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:33 am
My oh my I should NOT be allowed to look at food blogs with photos that delicious before breakfast! Fantastic site with amazing images, I will have to browse to see if you’ve shared your obvious photo know-how anywhere, I hope you have! Enjoy your day and thanks for a yummy post and giveaway
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Interesting creation!
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:24 pm
What a cool and exotic dessert combination! I actually recongize the name of your friend’s cookie. She left some comments on my blog before and I have been curious about her cookies. I’d love to try a bite!
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:29 pm
And where does one find these baby pineapples?
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Great dessert; enjoyed your post…and guess what, I learned something new today - I didn’t know you didn’t need to core the Queen Victoria! Thanks for the info! Hope I get to try those cookies someday!
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:25 pm
I make desserts for a living, so I’m always looking for something fresh & exciting. This will definitely make an impression at my next Asian/Caribbean inspired dinner special! Thank you so much…
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Would love to be the random winner
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Gisele, Susan — Baby pineapple can be ordered through Melissa’s. http://www.melissas.com/Products/Products/South-African-Baby-Pineapples.aspx
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:04 pm
This looks absolutely delicious…I love the beautiful photos, and I am inspired to try this!
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:17 pm
that is the sexiest darn pineapple recipe I have ever seen.
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:38 pm
This looks fabulous!
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:50 pm
I love pineapple upside down cake because of the caramelized pineapple topping…so why have I NEVER thought to just caramelize pineapple without the bother of cake? Looks delicious and beautiful photo.
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:56 pm
So sexy, so sweet, so enchanting…and the desserts not bad either! lol, Zen you always make the food look so delicious. let me win those cookies!
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Sounds delicious!
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Those baby pineapples are almost too cute to eat! I said almost….
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:55 pm
My kind of dessert. Those cookies look phenomenal, too.
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:04 am
I wanted to comment even if there was no giveaway, just so you know. I’ve been curious about those bebbeh pineapples.
can never resist a cute fruit either, but it’s always nice when they actually taste good!
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:46 am
Wow, this looks awesome! Next time I see them at the market, I’ll have to try this.
February 3rd, 2010 at 3:01 am
pineapple with an edible core? oh, yes please. i love all things coconut too. gorgeous!
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Very delicious looking. I can see doing this one for my pineapple-loving husband sometime soon.
I’m going to keep an eye out for those pineapples!
February 3rd, 2010 at 4:08 pm
i want cookies
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:40 pm
I LOVE those pineapples! They’re so cute AND they’re delicious (especially when they’re dehydrated!)
February 4th, 2010 at 8:54 am
I am looking for the perfect chocolate and would love to try the turtle. I am a definite foodie and a sweets eater but not so much chocolate. That is why I am looking for the ultimate chocolate.
February 4th, 2010 at 8:56 am
Not Really Fond of coconut but this looks Fawesome! I got to try this one for friends.. (yes the F is intentional)
February 4th, 2010 at 9:24 am
Lovely! This looks like a recipe I love to make during the summer: Grilled Pineapple with a Rum Glaze and Coconut Sorbet. I’ll have to try your version!
February 4th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Oh my! That looks A-mazing!! Too bad I can’t eat the computer screen.
February 5th, 2010 at 12:17 am
Time to pour a glass of the Southwestern French Gros Manseng dessert wine again!
February 5th, 2010 at 7:15 am
The baby pineapples are so adorable, n the sorbet looks absolutely divine. Great combination of flavours. So wish i could get a taste of it right now !
February 5th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Just leave me on an Island with only caramelized baby pineapples and coconutsorbets (and some Malibu ofcourse) and don’t forget to send the cookies…:-D
February 5th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
What a nice giveaway, thanks for the chance to win.
February 5th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
The pineapples are adorable. And what could be better than cookies.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com
February 6th, 2010 at 10:36 am
Looks absolutely delicious!
February 6th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
wow that looks amazing! Don’t mind if I drool on the keyboard
February 6th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
oh the coconut sorbet looks great too, and the cookies looks delish!
February 6th, 2010 at 11:40 pm
looks fabulous!
February 7th, 2010 at 12:11 am
The whole dish looks fantastic, but that caramelized pineapple looks absolutely amazing.
February 7th, 2010 at 12:28 am
Everything looks mouth-watering
*Thanks* for the giveaway!
February 7th, 2010 at 11:53 am
Looks fantastic!
February 16th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
-M’sieur, m’sieur!
-Oui petit fenouil? [sigh]
-Chpeux jouer?
-Non, c’est trop tard, et en plus j’avais bien dit que c’était des gâteaux pour les grands. Hop.
February 18th, 2010 at 11:19 am
YUM! Looks great!