Chunks of pineapple are used in sweet desserts such as fruit salad, as well as, in some savory dishes, including pizza toppings and a grilled ring on a hamburger.
Crushed pineapple is used in yogurt, jam, sweets and ice cream. The juice of the pineapple is served as a beverage, and is also as a main ingredient in such cocktails as the piña colada. I love 'em.
Well, when you lived and learned, raised a few kids, cooked and baked, you've probably made a pineapple upside down cake. Who hasn't? It's an American icon. Actually, cooks have been putting fruit on the bottom of cake since the Middle Ages.
In 1903, Jim Dole of the Hawaiian Pineapple Company (now Dole Pineapple) perfected a way to tin pineapple, get the tins into homes and the rest is history.
If you've never made one or you just want to add nostalgia to your meal, make this cake and make a memory.
Sweet and Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Serves 16
Ingredients:
1 can (20 oz.) DOLE® Pineapple Slices
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
10 maraschino cherries
1 pkg. (2-layer size) yellow or pineapple-flavored cake mix
Drain pineapple slices; reserve 3/4 cup juice. Stir together melted butter and brown sugar in 12-inch skillet with heat-proof handle. Arrange pineapple slices in sugar mixture. Place cherry in center of each pineapple slice.
Prepare cake mix according to package directions, replacing some of the water with reserved 3/4 cup juice that is needed to prepare the batter. Pour batter evenly over pineapple.
Bake at 350 Fº, 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes. Loosen edges and invert onto serving platter.
Cake can alternately be baked in 13 x 9-inch baking pan instead of skillet. Prepare and assemble cake as above except cut two pineapple slices in half and place whole slices along edges of pan and halved slices in center. Place cherries in center of slices, and transfer to baking dish. Bake and cool as above.
Nutritional Information (amount per serving)
Calories 440; Carbohydrates 65g; Cholesterol 70mg; Fiber 3g; Fat 18g; Sodium 380mg; Sugars 51g; Protein 5g
Difference between sweet and savory is that one reflects a sugar sensation and the other does not. A salad is savory, but it could include sweet slices of strawberries or a sweet salad dressing, which makes the salad both sweet and savory. For the home kitchen cook, you want to include a little sweet with savory flavors in the meal to satisfy the tastebud senses.
Savory Sunday Supper Meatloaf With Roasted Vegetables
Serves 6
To Make Meatloaf:
1 1/2 Pound(s) Lean Ground Beef
3/4 Cup(s) Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
3/4 Cup(s) finely chopped onion
1/2 Cup(s) chili sauce or catsup
1 Tablespoon(s) Worcestershire Sauce
2 Clove(s) Garlic, minced
1 Teaspoon(s) dried thyme leaves
3/4 Teaspoon(s) Black pepper
1/2 Teaspoon(s) salt (optional)
To Make Roasted Vegetables:
2 Tablespoon(s) Olive Oil
2 Clove(s) Garlic, minced
3/4 Teaspoon(s) dried thyme leaves
1/2 Teaspoon(s) salt (optional)
1/4 Teaspoon(s) Black pepper
1-1/2 Pound(s) medium red potatoes, quartered
1 Pound(s) carrots, cut diagonally into 3/4-inch pieces
Heat oven to 350ºF. For roasted vegetables, combine oil, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper in large bowl. Add vegetables; toss to coat. Spoon into 15 x 10-inch jelly roll pan, spreading in even layer. Set aside.
For meatloaf, combine all ingredients in same bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. On rack in broiler pan, shape beef mixture into 8 x 4-inch loaf. Place meatloaf on upper oven rack; place vegetables on rack below. Bake 50 to 55 minutes to medium (160°F) doneness, until not pink in center and juices show no pink color and vegetables are tender. Let meatloaf stand 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with vegetables.
Brush meatloaf with additional chili sauce during last 10 minutes of baking, if desired.
Sources: Dole Sweet, Savory Quaker Oats, Wikipedia
When meal planning choose a portion from each food group. Typically, most adults need 6 to 11 servings of grain products per day; 3 to 5 servings of vegetables; 2 to 4 servings of fruit each day; 3 cups of dairy products every day; and 2 or 3 ounces per day of meat which equals 2 servings.
Sensible portion sizes and limited number of servings keep even the most decadent sweet and yummy desserts part of a balanced diet.