Simple, so complex. You have to love pineapples for their tropical dream-inducing flavor, and color like happiness. Simple Syrup is primarily used in cocktails, but you could also simmer and reduce this magic elixor for ice cream sundaes or pancakes.
“Cutting a pineapple is no biggie. You can youtube it, or follow the directions below. Don't use canned pineapple! You won't be able to extract the fruit's pure flavor into the syrup infusion, and truly, when something tastes this perfect unto itself, you do it by the book.”
Notes: When you buy a pineapple make sure it is 50/50 green and brown on spiney body. All brown is over-ripe, all green is not ripe. You can also smell the end- it should smell like clean pineapple, or pull a leaf from the center of the stem- it should come out easily.
Pineapple Simple Syrup
Ingredients: I pineapple, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water
1. Cut the bottom off of the pineapple, about 1 inch in. Cut off the stem too.
2. Stand the pineapple up on its new flat base, and slice the piney skin off, from top to bottom. You want to cut deeply enough to not leave any pine "eyes" behind, but not so much that you lose too much golden flesh.
3. Keep pineapple standing up, cut in half from top to bottom, then cut those pieces in half the same way- now you should have 4 triangular-ish pieces of the pineapple cylinder.
4. Remove the woody center of the pineapple from each piece. Stand up each piece, (the point of the quarter is the centermost part of the woody interior) cut it out, top to bottom- about 1 inch's worth.
5. Chop remaining pineapple.
6. Stir to coat pineapple chunks with the sugar in a pan, and leave to macerate for 1 hour.
7. Add water and bring to boil. Turn down to simmer and go for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. Strain through a sieve.
9. Place 1 Tbsp. of leftover cooked pineapple chunks from the sieve into the bottom of a clean Mason jar, and pour over the syrup. Screw on lid, and store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Tips: Don't toss the leftover cooked pineapple chunks! Freeze in a baggie and use for smoothies, other sauces, or sweet-savory meat crock-pot recipes.