5/9 Grilled Pineapple Steaks W/ Banana Ice Cream
Happy Meatless Monday. Spring finally came to our house and it was a very welcome visitor. Yesterday it was a glorious 70 degrees and all I could think of was firing up the grill. As Sandy and I walked Chloe and Sparky, I could smell all of the grills of our neighbors cooking Sunday dinner. It was like grilling had become a city wide mandate for the day. For dinner we had BBQ Tempeh Sandwiches that were so summery it made me want to play with sidewalk chalk so I did.
Photo By: S. Duquet
After that I decided to grill some pineapple and make banana ice cream. Yup, it is that quick and easy. You are not going to believe how stunning this dessert is compared to the ease with which it is prepared. It seems almost criminal to have a dessert this sexy with so little work. I also love it because it is like a healthy redo of bananas foster. So strike up the BBQ and dazzle yourself, your friends and loved ones.
Grilled Pineapple Steaks with Banana Ice Cream
By: S. Duquet
Banana Ice Cream idea originally from The Kitchn
Banana Ice Cream Ingredients:
Bananas must be frozen in their peel until solid as a rock or overnight
1 banana per person to be served
1 Tsp of vanilla for every banana (3bananas = 3 tsp vanilla)
Pineapple Steak Ingredients
One pineapple for every four servings you need
Brown Rice Syrup for brushing onto fruit
Make It Happen
Photo BY: S. Duquet
~Put vanilla into food processor
~Take frozen bananas out of the freezer and let sit for a few minutes on cutting board to soften (only enough to cut the peel off. )
~Cut peel off.. I cut the banana in half, slit the peel down the middle then cut the peel off very carefully using a paring knife
Photo BY: S. Duquet
~Cut bananas into 1/2 inch slices and put into food processor with vanilla
~Blend until very smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary. You want to process as little as possible while achieving a very smooth creamy texture.
~Transfer to a freezer safe bowl with a lid, put in freezer and chill.
~Cut pineapple into long one inch steaks
~Spray grill basket or grate with non stick spray (before you turn the grill on) and grill pineapple steaks until they are brown and have luscious grill marks. You will want to turn them so they brown evenly and do not burn.
~Right before they reach your desired done-ness, brush them with Brown Rice Syrup and allow to caramelize.
Photo By: S. Duquet
~Serve warm pineapple with a hearty dollop of banana ice cream.
Be prepared for a standing ovation from the crowd on this one. The banana ice cream blew my mind. I can’t even imagine how this flavor and texture are possible without sugar or fat. It is a divine gesture of nature to create something so worthy of praise that can be frozen and consumed like ice cream. The first time I made it I added peanut butter to the ice cream which nearly put me into hysterics. For the pineapple steaks I decided to stick with the elegant simplicity of vanilla.
The grilled pineapple was like eating a slice of the tropics. The steaks browned without the Brown Rice Syrup so feel free to omit it if you would like it to be completely sugar free. The syrup does however add the Bananas Foster element that was so rich and satisfying. Up to you.
Kale Trail Update:
Over the weekend we upped our mileage to 2.5 miles. I have to admit I was nervous. Not because 2.5 is so far but because that is where I have been stopping for a month now. It felt like the edge of my comfort zone and I didnt really want to leave it. I tried not to give those thoughts energy and I just started running. Next thing I knew we were done and I felt great.
Have a delicious day and a fantastic Meatless day or week. Wherever you are in your journey, enjoy it.
Tags: compassionate eating, dairy free, going veg, grilled dessert, grilled pineapple steaks with banana ice cream, homemade banana ice cream, homemade vegan banana ice cream, Meatless Monday, Meatless Monday recipe, plant based diet, trying vegetarian, vegan, vegan challenge, vegan dessert, vegan experience, vegan ice cream, vegan recipe, vegan wannabe
May 9th, 2011 at 6:15 am
Grilled pineapple? Genius! I need to grill more fruit this year. I was grilling a lot of peaches at the end of last season.
YAY on the mileage increase! Trust me, even long time runners have those mental challenges. As you know, I took some time off from running and am back at it for triathlon training. My run yesterday called for a bump from the base I’d built. It was playing with my head..until I did it and then it was wonderful! Isn’t it fun?! Amazing what you find your body can do!
May 10th, 2011 at 11:54 pm
I’m not sure if there’s a vegan way to make caramel, but if so…I think you should try adding it to the dish. Or a pecan drizzle? Only thing better than grilled fruit is grilled fruit drizzled in a sugary sauce – yum!
May 11th, 2011 at 9:15 am
Mmmmm, thanks so much for sharing this, it sounds DIVINE. Man. I’m certainly going to try that!
May 11th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
There is a way to make vegan caramel — I learned how to make it in a cooking class, the base was homemade almond butter and maple syrup (I think!), and maybe a date….eek, sorry that I can’t recall. It was very good on apples!
May 11th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
Can’t wait to try this. I grilled pineapple lst year , but this sounds wonderful with the banana ice cream.
May 11th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
I printed this one! Looks yummy! I just made a green drink that is very good. This is it: 1/4 cup tomato juice from can of diced tomatoes, small handful of spinach, handful of kale greens, bit of salt, chunks of fresh pineapple, blend it up and drink! Healthful. It will be better next time when I add some agave nectar.
May 11th, 2011 at 9:59 pm
JL,
The grilled pineapple with the banana ice cream blew me away. I usually overlook grilling fruit, well…no more.
Thank you very much for the training encouragement. It is both intimidating and wonderful to realize it is only your mind standing in your own way. You can strengthen your body relatively easily. It is working in tandem with your mind that takes a bit more time and exercise. Congratulations on your successful training and please keep us posted on your progress. It is exciting to share in your triumphant plant based athleticism and excellence.
May 11th, 2011 at 10:23 pm
Jessica,
Here is a link to a vegan caramel sauce that sounds divine and easy to make. I have not yet tried it so if you do before I do, please let us know how it turns out. It would be the perfect accompaniment to the grilled pineapple or just a spoon.
http://veganicecream.blogspot.com/2006/06/vegan-caramel-sauce.html
May 11th, 2011 at 10:24 pm
Thank you Tracy, make sure and let me know how it turns out. You are going to be amazed by how quick and easy this is to make.
May 11th, 2011 at 10:25 pm
JL,
I have also heard about making caramel using dates but do not have a recipe. When either one of finds one we can share. It sound fantastic and I love dates to pieces.
May 11th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Donna,
Let me know how it goes. Have you grilled other fruits as well?
May 11th, 2011 at 10:28 pm
Kathie,
That sounds like one crazy green drink. Thank you for sharing. I love using greens in drinks. It is such an easy way to enjoy them.
May 12th, 2011 at 5:46 am
Sherry — email me and I’ll share the caramel recipe – since I got it in a cooking class it’s not something I feel comfortable sharing on my blog, out of respect for the chef!