Every summer my sister, Corinne and I seem to have a “dessert of the summer.” Last year was the summer of ice cream pies. This summer she got me hooked on grilled pineapple with vanilla ice cream and balsamic reduction. She learned this easy dessert from a Alessi brand product’s cooking class. My lucky sister walked away from the class with a basket of fancy vinegars, oils and other Italian food products. I wish I had smuggled some out of her cabinet for myself, but alas I didn’t. One of the her vinegars was a raspberry reduction which she puts over the grilled pineapple and ice cream. Finding a flavored balsamic reduction in the store can be hard. But a regular balsamic will work just the same to make the tangy topping to the sweet fruit and creamy ice cream. I found in my cabinet some chocolate balsamic. It was perfect to make a reduction with or just drizzle over the dessert.
Why grill the pineapple? Fruit is mostly water and sugar. Grilling the pineapple concentrates the water and at the same time caramelizes the sugars. The key is to grill it long enough that some grill marks appear and not too long that you dry the pineapple out. Three minutes is the sweet spot, if your grill is on high. However, you really can’t mess this up – it’s too easy.
I’ve tried serving the pineapple in all different shapes and sizes. The best way I’ve found was to cut the top and bottom off and trim the peel. Then cut the pineapple lengthwise from top to bottom into eights. Trim the slim core away and then grill each segment.
It’s so easy and delicious. I’ve repeatedly made this for guests and get many an ooh and ahh.
1 cup balsamic, flavored
1 pineapple, trimmed, cored and cut into eighths
vanilla ice cream
Reduce the balsamic by simmering it for 10 mins. It should have the consistency of syrup. Set aside to cool.
Grill the pineapple segments on high for about 3 minutes per side.
Serve the pineapple warm with a scoop of ice cream. Drizzle a small amount of the balsamic reduction over the fruit and ice cream and serve.
- 1 cup balsamic, flavored
- 1 pineapple, trimmed, cored and cut into eighths
- vanilla ice cream
- Reduce the balsamic by simmering it for 10 mins. It should have the consistency of syrup. Set aside to cool.
- Grill the pineapple segments on high for about 3 minutes per side.
- Serve the pineapple warm with a scoop of ice cream. Drizzle a small amount of the balsamic reduction over the fruit and ice cream and serve.