Caramelized Baby Pineapple with Coconut Sorbet & Coconut-Curry Cookies + Giveaway!

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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…

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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

    caramelized-pineapple-8

  • 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.
    • caramelized-pineapple-3
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  • candyce

    gorgeous once again! loving the coconut sorbet recipe as well – will have to try it out! :)
    @dulcita518

  • http://www.TeenieCakes.com Cristina @ TeenieCakes

    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.

  • http://www.bunkycooks.wordpress.com/ bunkycooks

    What time is dessert served? 😉 Your pictures are beautiful!

  • http://www.redcook.net Kian

    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.

  • http://foodmayhem.com Jessica Lee Binder

    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!

  • http://MyKugelhopf.ch Kerrin @ MyKugelhopf

    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!

  • Marc

    Nice one, I remember the baby ananas from Cuba, they were great!

  • http://performanceandwellness.com mike mallory

    great stuff man…..looks delish!

  • http://www.melaskitchen.blogspot.com Mélanie

    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!

  • June

    It all sounds so “tropical”–perfect for a rather wintery day.

  • http://momofraise.blogspot.com Opy

    Oh wow, I have never seen pineapples like those! They are so cute!

  • AnnaLyon

    Those cookies are really intriguing! I’d love to have a taste…

  • http://www.shesimmers.com Leela@SheSimmers

    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.

  • http://www.alittlebitofchristo.blogspot.com doggybloggy

    this post is way too pretty – no seriously – it is!

  • MrGnocchi

    Pineapple and coconut are a match made in Sultry Food Heaven.
    Okay..Send me MY COOKIES! NOW!
    :)

  • http://www.justgetfloury.com Ginny

    Delicious! I want little baby pineapples! :)

  • http://leeksandgeeks.blogspot.com Christine

    How fun! Count me in.

  • http://www.thepeachkitchen.com peachkins

    *drool* This is so mouthwatering..

  • andre

    Mmm Pineapple! Mmm giveaways!

  • http://blog.lemonpi.net Y

    Love caramelised pineapple AND coconut sorbet. Two thumbs up!

  • http://scorpiowoman.wordpress.com/ Scorpio Woman

    This dessert looks amazing

  • http://www.mangotomato.blogspot.com Olga

    why are baby or miniature foods so much cuter than regular sized ones? Looks really delicious.

  • http://www.kalofagas.ca Peter

    Pineapples are sweet “as is”…I can only imagine the sweetness you’ve coaxed here.

  • Lauren

    Looks fabulous. Sorbet is almost NEVER wrong!

  • claire

    such cute little pineapples! could you send me some of your terrine along with those cookies please? yum!

  • Fa

    I have been looking for coconut ice cream / sorbet. Yours is a catch! Also I just bought pineapple too! Thanks!!

  • http://www.notquitenigella.com Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella

    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! 😀

  • http://thenakedbeet.com edava

    Insanely weird! I was just looking at broiling some pineapple. Oh yeah, and those cookies have my name on them.

  • http://nillarose.wordpress.com Michelle

    I would love these little pineapples! Ive never heard of them before – grilled pineapple is delish!

  • bali

    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!

  • http://the-wynk.net melissa

    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!

  • Joan

    I love the concept of coconut-curry cookies! Does the Flat Turtle have a physical location in NY?

  • http://www.cococooks.blogspot.com Courtney aka glamah

    Those pineapples are so exquisite.

  • http://www.filipinalovesfood.com Janice

    These pineapples are very cute, love them! Wished they had it here in the US.

  • http://www.mischief-making.blogspot.com Misty

    What cute little pineapples. And coconut curry cookies sound so interesting – I hope I win!

  • http://www.my-easy-cooking.com nina

    How about this for a plan…..I cook and you do desserts……Those tiny pineapples are so cute!!!

  • http://cupcakemuffin.blogspot.com sara

    Wow, looks fantastic! I love the look of that caramelized pineapple…delicious! And even better with sorbet. :)

  • Pingback: Caramelized Baby Pineapple with Coconut Sorbet & Coconut-Curry … « penggaram()

  • Barry

    Beuatiful, thanks for the cookie turn-on

  • http://dolceinewyork.blogspot.com Dolce

    Chocolate. Coriander. Cookies. Damn, these look so perfect. I looked at Etsy website but does your friend Laurent not has a store so far ?

  • http://arimichan01.blogspot.com Thao Phan

    I never knew of such a thing. But I do know Vietnamese pinapples are small too, but I never tasted them.

  • http://www.asharedmile.blogspot.com Errin

    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!

  • http://www.bitemekitchen.blogspot.com Rose

    Ahhh, I love your blog! That baby pineapple looks wonderful! Where can I get these!?!! I’m hungry for this tropical treat!

  • http://delicatesseny.typepad.fr Deli

    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.

  • http://britsyho.tumblr.com/ Britsy

    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!

  • http://www.chicagofamilyrealtor.com Kelli

    I’ve never left a comment here before, but I faithfully follow your blog – YUM!

  • http://mllenoelle.wordpress,com noëlle {simmer down!}

    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.

  • yoko

    Miam! Je devrais essayer faire les “caramelised pineapples.” Also, I love the sound of them with walnut cake and rum saboyan.

  • http://heycoachj.blogspot.com Coach J

    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!

  • Erica

    Oh man, this looks amazing! Thanks for the giveaway. :)