tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10970055.post-43663422952293756512008-04-28T11:17:00.008-07:002008-04-28T12:14:00.019-07:002008-04-28T12:14:00.019-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_T7KT9xbfVQc/SBYXtVvdZ1I/AAAAAAAAAXg/8LdbJnG4uTU/s1600-h/fruit3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_T7KT9xbfVQc/SBYXtVvdZ1I/AAAAAAAAAXg/8LdbJnG4uTU/s320/fruit3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194365287916201810" border="0" /></a>Pineapples are one of my favorite fruits. I love them plain, grilled or shoved into a burger. It doesn't take much to transform the pineapple into something special. When we were <a href="http://www.couchsurfing.com/">couch-surfing</a> in Utrecht last September, our hosts had served pineapple tossed with fresh mint. That's it. It was a very memorable end to a great evening. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_T7KT9xbfVQc/SBYXolvdZ0I/AAAAAAAAAXY/86mXyHc9aLc/s1600-h/fruit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_T7KT9xbfVQc/SBYXolvdZ0I/AAAAAAAAAXY/86mXyHc9aLc/s320/fruit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194365206311823170" border="0" /></a>This morning I had a small pineapple that I had found on special for 99 cents in Chinatown. I also had some strawberries that were a little past their prime. So I cut them up and created a boozy syrup out of rum and honey and vanilla. A little shredded coconut sprinkled about and it was perfect! It lifted what could have been a ho-hum fruit salad into the realm of fancy pants-ness. The heady scent of rum, vanilla and coconut is seriously intoxicating without being down-right boozy. It definitely made my Monday morning, but it's more suited for a light summer dessert or weekend brunch item. This would be great with waffles, scones or pancakes or tossed with a bit of fresh mint or, oooh, even pistachios! Imagine the pineapple possibilities.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">pina colada fruit salad</span><br />1 small pineapple, diced<br />1 basket of strawberries, sliced<br />3 T unsweetened angel flaked coconut<br />3 T honey<br />4 T amber rum (I used my favorite Appleton Estate from Jamaica)<br />1 t vanilla extract<br /><br />In a large bowl, whisk together honey, rum and vanilla. Add fruit and coconut and toss. Serve in small bowls.<br /><br />Want more pineapple recipes? Dig into my archives:<br /><a href="http://everybodylikessandwiches.blogspot.com/2005/10/thanksgiving.html">African yam &amp; peanut soup</a><br /><a href="http://everybodylikessandwiches.blogspot.com/2005/09/ginger-pineapple-chicken-speedy-way.html">Ginger pineapple chicken</a><br /><a href="http://everybodylikessandwiches.blogspot.com/2006/06/angel-peed-on-my-tongue.html">Jerk chicken pineapple skewers</a><br /><a href="http://everybodylikessandwiches.blogspot.com/2007/03/magical-fruit.html">Pineapple baked beans</a><br /><a href="http://everybodylikessandwiches.blogspot.com/2006/06/stir-fry-it-up.html">Pineapple-coconut vegetable curry</a><a href="http://everybodylikessandwiches.blogspot.com/2005/09/ginger-pineapple-chicken-speedy-way.html"><br /></a><a href="http://everybodylikessandwiches.blogspot.com/2006/07/summer-licks.html">Strawberry-pineapple popsicles</a>kickpleathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06616267341650445312noreply@blogger.com