Pineapple is delicious on its own, but also makes a great addition to everything from breakfast to dinner. To top it off, pineapple is a good source of Vitamin C and a source of fibre and potassium. It even has enzymes that help with digestion!

When choosing pineapple, look for large plump, fruit with sweet fragrance and crown of deep green (not brown) leaves. Colour is not an indication of ripeness. You might be scared off or intimidated by fresh pineapple, but it really is easy to peel and cut with a few tips.

  1. Cut off the base and leaves and slice the whole pineapple lengthwise into quarters.
  2. Use a small knife to slice the fruit away from the shell.
  3. Trim the core from each quarter and then slice the quarter into pieces.
  4. You can also take the easy way out and purchase a fresh pared pineapple, but we dare you to slice your own!

Now that you’re a pineapple prep expert, start cooking! Here are some pineapple-inspired recipes to get you going:

Grilled Pineapple Salsa – Juicy, chunky pieces of salsa are perfectly paired up with a hint of spicy jalapeno to enjoy with tortilla chips or alongside your favourite grilled meats or fish.

Honey Lime Fruit Toss – This fruit salad is refreshing and tangy all at once! Kids will love it.

Are you inspired to add some pineapple to your meals? Share them with us!

Related posts

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes – 3 Ways
stuffed sweet potato with hummus
Using your winter produce
When I toss romaine hearts into my shopping cart, chances are I'm heading home to make my family’s favourite salad. Every cook should know the joy of crafting a true Caesar salad while avoiding the also-ran dressings at the supermarket that never quite measure up to the real thing. Over time we’ve experimented with lots of additional flavours in this salad but, more often than not, I toss in lots of fresh basil leaves and brightly flavoured cherry tomatoes. What a great way to fill Half Your Plate! SERVES 4 TO 6 For the croutons 1 baguette, cut into large bite-sized cubes 1/4 cup (60 mL) of water 1/4 cup (60 mL) of your best olive oil For the dressing 6 thick slices of bacon, finely cut 1/4 cup (60 mL) of extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup (60 mL) of Dijon mustard 4 cloves of garlic a full 2-ounce (50 g) can of anchovies the zest and juice of 2 lemons 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of honey a dash or two of your favourite hot sauce For the salad 3 hearts of romaine lettuce, rinsed and sliced into bite sized pieces 1 large bunch of basil leaves 2-ounces or so of Parmigiano-Reggiano, shaved into thin pieces with a vegetable peeler 1 pound of cherry tomatoes, sliced in half Preheat your oven to 375ºF. Turn on your convection fan if you have one. Begin with the croutons. Sprinkle the bread cubes with water and toss until evenly absorbed. Continue tossing with the oil until it too is absorbed. Spread the works out on a baking tray and bake until the croutons are crispy, crunchy and thoroughly golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove and cool while you prepare the rest of the salad. Make the dressing. Toss the bacon and a big splash of water into a pan over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring frequently until the bacon is fully browned and evenly crispy, 10 minutes or so. Strain off the bacon bits and reserve for garnishing. Reserve all, some or none of the tasty fat. Measure the oil, Dijon, garlic, anchovies, lemon zest and juice, honey and hot sauce into your blender or food processor. Add the reserved bacon fat. Purée until smooth. Make the salad. In a large salad bowl toss together the romaine leaves, basil leaves, croutons and tomatoes. Pour in the dressing and toss the works until the salad is evenly dressed. Top with the bacon and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Serve and share! Freestyle Flavour You can easily elevate this salad into an entire meal by adding lots of your favourite protein. Try grilling off a few chicken breasts and thinly slicing them into the works. A filet or two of salmon, grilled steak, pork tenderloin, even chunks of tofu can be added for a full protein kick.
Basil Caesar Salad

Get the latest recipes, fresh ideas, and smart shopping tips delivered right to your inbox!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.