La Piña Loca Recipes

PIñA LOCA PALETA

Steps:

• In the blender combine the 4 cups fresh pineapple, 4 cups of water, juice of 1 lime and agave syrup(to taste). Blend on high until very smooth.
• Taste for sweetness and adjust if needed. Let agua fresca sit until the foam on top reduces and settles. Or you can scoop it out. If using a power blender, like a vitamix, there is no real need to strain the agua fresca. Otherwise I would suggest straining through a wire strainer after the foam settles.
• When ready, place your disposable cups on a tray or baking sheet. To each cup, pour in 1 tablespoon of chamoy, 1/2 teaspoon of chile limon powder, a few pieces of pineapple and a few pieces of the smaller tamarind candies.
• To each cup pour in 1/8 cup of agua fresca. Stir each one gently and let sit for 5 minutes. The pour in enough agua fresca until it comes up to the halfway mark on the cup. Add in a little more chile limon seasoning and chamoy. Add a few more pieces of tamarind candy and pineapple. Repeat with agua fresca, pineapple, chile limon and chamoy.
• After cutting the slits in the lids, push the sticks in the opening, cut side down. Secure onto filled cups, making sure sticks are centered and lids are tight. Freeze overnight or if you have time, 24 hours is best. When ready, remove from freezer and let stand at room temperature for a few minutes before removing from cup.

LA PINA (MEZCAL COCKTAIL WITH PINEAPPLE AND CILANTRO)

Steps:

• Put the large ice cube in an old-fashioned glass. Muddle the serrano chile with the cilantro leaves in a cocktail shaker. Add the mezcal, pineapple juice, simple syrup, lime juice, and ice cubes. Shake vigorously and strain over the large ice cube in the glass. Garnish with the pineapple leaf.

PERUVIAN PINEAPPLE CHICKEN (POLLO A LA PINA)

Steps:

• Whisk soy sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cumin together in a large glass or ceramic bowl. Add chicken medallions and toss to evenly coat. Set aside to marinate.
• Combine pineapple chunks, syrup, and sugar in a medium pot over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Boil until sugar has dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the stove, transfer pineapple chunks to a bowl, and leave syrup in the pot.
• Place potato starch in a bowl. Dredge marinated chicken medallions in potato starch; shake off excess.
• Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, working in batches and adding more oil if necessary, and fry until golden brown and crunchy, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
• Heat remaining 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in a wok. Add tomato paste; cook and stir until paste darkens, being careful it does not burn. Add bell pepper and cook until slightly softened but still crispy, 1 to 2 minutes. Mix in chicken medallions and pineapple chunks. Slowly mix in some of the syrup until mixture is lightly glazed; reserve remaining syrup for another use. Sprinkle with green onions.