Recipe Mutiny steals recipes from food blogs and recipe sites. Then we publish them. With credit (Naturally).
Thursday, April 4, 2019
How to Pick the Perfect Pineapple
Pineapples are a vibrant taste of the tropics that are good for much more than garnishing piña coladas and mai tais and eating on their own or chopped up in fruit salad. But that’s only if you get one that is perfectly ripe—bright yellow, sweet, and so full of juice that, according to Chowhound user Veggo, “they almost explode like water balloons.” But since it’s so difficult to ship ripe pineapples, the ones we find in grocery stores are often at least somewhat hard and green. So how do you know which pineapple to pick?
Conventional Wisdom
The conventional classic signs of a ripe pineapple are a golden color (“You should see a healthy yellowing happening from the bottom to as much as midway up the pineapple skin,” says HillJ; the more uniformly yellow-gold, the better), a sweet aroma, a slight give to the skin, and a leaf that pulls easily from the crown.
Use Your Nose
However, the Dole website says neither color nor loosely attached leaves are actually good indicators of ripeness, but you can pretty much always trust your nose: You’ll know a good pineapple when you smell it. You want a sweet, full fragrance, with no sharp or funky notes. If you can’t detect a scent, pass it up (or risk being disappointed).
Look for Big Eyes
Look for large eyes (the knots on a pineapple) as well, especially if they’re large near the crown as well as all around the body, as this indicates the fruit had a longer time to ripen on the tree—and once it’s picked, it won’t ripen any further. Instead, it will just begin to degrade, with the starches converting to sugar.
Watch Out for Overripe Pineapple
If there’s already juice oozing from the bottom of the pineapple, it’s past its prime, and if it smells tangy or sharp, it’s probably begun to ferment and won’t taste good. It should feel fairly firm—not rock-hard, but not really soft either; too much give indicates it’s breaking down from the inside out.
How to Store Pineapple
If you’re not ready to eat your pineapple right away, store it in the fridge to keep it fresh, then cut it up as suits your needs.
How to Cut Pineapple
If you need help with your plan of attack, see our guide on how to cut a pineapple. You may be tempted to try that “pulling apart a pineapple” trick you’ve probably seen on Instagram, but beware: even if your fruit is super ripe, it’s harder than it looks!
Yesker Stainless Steel Pineapple Corer, $6.99 on Amazon
This tool promises to make coring and peeling your pineapple easy—per the reviews, just be sure to watch your fingers.
Pineapple Recipes
In addition to using your perfectly ripe pineapple in classic applications like pineapple cocktails and desserts, try mixing it into slaw, grilling it, turning it into edible flowers, and making homemade Dole Whip. Or try one of these easy pineapple recipes.
Pineapple Glazed Shrimp Skewers
Chowhound
Grilled fruit is great, and charred pineapple pairs especially well with plump, tender shrimp. Serve with rice and grilled vegetables (like bell peppers, onions, and broccoli) brushed with the same simple, sweet-tangy, soy-based glaze. Get our Pineapple Glazed Shrimp Skewers recipe.
Grilled Pineapple Daiquiri
Chowhound
Grilled again, but this time turned into a refreshing drink perfect for hot summer days. It’s worth seeking out the Rhum Clément Créole Shrubb liqueur (made with orange peel, spices, and rhum agricole, a Martinique-style rum made from sugarcane juice instead of molasses). There’s not really a good substitute for it, but grilling your pineapple would still add a nice smoky dimension to all your standard tiki drinks. Get our Grilled Pineapple Daiquiri recipe.
Pineapple and Cucumber Guacamole
Chowhound
Make guacamole more interesting and extra-refreshing by adding diced crunchy cucumber and soft, juicy pineapple to the mix. Its chunky texture makes it just as good for using to top fish tacos as it is for scooping up with chips. Get our Pineapple and Cucumber Guacamole recipe.
Pineapple Braised Pork Sandwiches
Chowhound
Soy sauce and pineapple juice lend a lot of salty-sweet flavor to slow-braised pork shoulder, which you can use in all sorts of ways. We like shredding it for sliders on sweet Hawaiian buns, with fresh pineapple slices and a bit of crisp jicama on top. Get our Pineapple Braised Pork Sandwiches recipe.
Pineapple-Coconut Tartlets
Chowhound
Frozen puff pastry makes these chewy mini tarts with fresh pineapple and shredded coconut easy to achieve. The sweet tropical flavor is accented with a little warmth from ginger. Get our Pineapple-Coconut Tartlets recipe.
Tacos al Pastor
Chowhound
In addition to tasting delicious paired with various kinds of meat, pineapple also helps tenderize it. Pair it with pork and smoky chiles for classic tacos al pastor, an unbeatable flavor combo that we’ve adapted for the home grill. Get our Tacos al Pastor recipe.
Spiked Pineapple Agua Fresca
Chowhound
A perfectly ripe pineapple doesn’t need a lot of dressing up. Here, it’s pureed with a little bit of sugar, lime juice, water, and rum for a thirst-quenching summer drink that you can also make non-alcoholic if you prefer. Get our Spiked Pineapple Agua Fresca recipe.
Pineapple Granité
Chowhound
This might be the lightest, brightest summer dessert you could possibly hope for—just pureed fresh pineapple with a little fresh orange juice and zest, plus enough sugar and water to help it freeze to the right fluffy, icy consistency. Get our Pineapple Granité recipe.
Related Video: How to Cut a Pineapple
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The Best Cookbooks for Beginners
It’s never too late to learn something new—especially when it comes to cooking. These cookbooks highlight chefs with different perspectives on learning to enjoy cooking. Whether you have a family or you’re happily flying solo, there are ways to make your kitchen and existing ingredients work for you and your appetite. Even if you’re just learning to boil water, these chefs will meet you where you are and teach you that cooking is about more than necessity—it can become a passion.
All featured products are curated independently by our editors. When you buy something through our retail links, we may receive a commission. For more great hand-picked products, check out the Chowhound Shop.
“Where Cooking Begins” by Carla Lalli Music, $19.50 on Amazon
Amazon
Carla Lalli Music streamlines cooking into simple, understandable terms. Inspired by meals she whips up for her own family, her guide outlines six cooking techniques that she views as absolutely indispensable. She also gives guidelines on making swaps and substitutions so you never feel stuck in a rut of recipes.Buy Now
“Salt Fat Acid Heat” by Samin Nosrat, $22.50 on Amazon
Amazon
What makes a delicious meal? It all begins with how these ingredients coexist together. Chef Samin Nosrat has taught pro chefs as well as middle school students how to cook with her revolutionary philosophy. The meals are as delicious as they are simple, and they include ingredients that you definitely have on hand. Don’t worry—you got this!Buy Now
“How to Cook Everything” by Mark Bittman, $19.99 on Amazon
Amazon
This cookbook has been the home cook’s guide for many years, and now it’s been released with revised tips and recipes. Mark Bittman focuses on natural, fresh ingredients that will leave you not only wanting more, but excited to whip up your next delicious meal as well.Buy Now
“Twelve Recipes” by Cal Peternell $27.99 on Amazon
Amazon
Not only is Cal Peternell’s cookbook stunningly colorful, it features basic techniques and recipes that will help you feel confident in the kitchen. Peternell first began collecting these recipes when his eldest son left for college—completely unprepared to cook for himself. This book is much more than a guide for college students—it’s a guide for anyone hoping to cook healthy meals independently.Buy Now
“Super Easy Cookbook for Beginners” by Lisa Grant, $13.49 on Amazon
Amazon
Lisa Grant compiles 120 five-ingredient recipes that you’re sure to love as you learn the basics of cooking. She also takes the time to highlight cooking skills and techniques that you’ll remember for years to come.Buy Now
“Simple: The Easiest Cookbook in the World” by Jean-Francois Mallet, $13.59 on Amazon
Amazon
Jean-Francois Mallet managed to compile an entire book of recipes that consists of less than four steps and fewer than six ingredients. It also has tons of photos so that you’ll be able to follow along without fear of getting lost.Buy Now
“Cook Like A Pro: Recipes and Tips for Home Cooks” by Ina Garten, $18.32 on Amazon
Amazon
No one knows their way around the kitchen better than the Barefoot Contessa. Garten’s goal with this book were to help home cooks find their sense of confidence in the kitchen—regardless of their experience level. As always, she delivers.Buy Now
“Small Victories: Recipes, Advice + Hundreds of Ideas for Home Cooking Triumphs” by Juia Turshen, $19.18 on Amazon
Amazon
Julia Turshen focuses on achievable recipes that will leave your mouth watering for more. Turshen includes recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—as well as little lessons that will make your time in the kitchen more useful and fulfilling.Buy Now
“The I Don’t Know How to Cook Book” by Mary-Lane Kamberg, $15.29 on Amazon
Amazon
With over 300 simplified recipes, Mary-Lane Kamberg has assembled a go-to cookbook for recipes that you know and love, but may not be comfortable with whipping up on your own. There’s even a glossary of cooking terms so you never feel in over your head.Buy Now
“The First Real Kitchen Cookbook” by Jill Carle, $14.97 on Amazon
Amazon
This book may be intended for college students moving into their first real homes, but it’s great for everyone. Jill Carle proves that a four burner stove and a pantry stocked with basics are all you need for a delicious meal.Buy Now
Browse more of our favorite cookbooks, from classic women-authored cookbooks to oddly compelling celebrity cookbooks.
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