Brown Sugar & Cardamom-Rubbed Pineapple with Tamarind Rum Caramel
This sweet and savoury grilled pineapple dish is happy to share the plate with a smoky, grilled BBQ dinner as it is with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Villa Teresa Prosecco Rosé makes a great pairing with this grilled pineapple recipe.Ingredients
Serves 4-6
¾ tsp (4 ml) cardamom seeds
½ tsp (2.5 ml) black peppercorns
2 tbsp (30 ml) brown sugar
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground cinnamon
⅛ tsp (a pinch) ground nutmeg
⅛ tsp (a pinch) salt
1 pineapple, peeled and cut into 5-in (12.5 cm) long wedges
Tamarind-Rum Caramel, make ahead, recipe follows
Toasted coconut shavings, for garnish
flaked sea salt, for garnish
TAMARIND RUM CARAMEL (Makes about ¾ cup (180 ml))
1 cup (250 ml) granulated sugar
½ cup (125 ml) water
⅓ cup (80 ml) coconut milk
⅓ cup (80 ml) Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
2 tbsp (30 ml) seedless tamarind pulp or 1 tbsp (15 ml) tamarind paste
1½ tbsp (22.5 ml) light soy sauce
½ Thai (bird’s eye) chili, sliced lengthwise
Instructions
- In a small pan over medium-low heat, combine cardamom seeds and peppercorns and toast until fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a mortar and pestle and grind to medium-fine consistency. Mix with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
- Gently rub spice mixture into pineapple wedges and let sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Preheat barbecue grill to medium-high.
- Grill pineapple about 2 minutes per side, until lightly caramelized, then transfer to a serving dish. Drizzle with Tamarind-Rum Caramel and garnish with toasted coconut shavings and flaked sea salt.
- Serve as a sweet side dish or savoury dessert; this is as happy with grilled prawns and chicken as with vanilla ice cream.
- TAMARIND RUM CARAMEL (Makes about ¾ cup (180 ml))
- In a medium saucepan, whisk sugar and water until combined. Cook over medium-high heat, without stirring, until sugar caramelizes and becomes a medium amber colour.
- Lower heat and carefully add coconut milk, making sure to keep hands clear from splatters. Whisk until smooth, then add rum, tamarind, soy sauce and chilies, breaking up any large pieces of tamarind.
- Remove from heat and steep 10 minutes, then strain, pressing gently with a spatula. Can be stored in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 1 week.