Pineapple is more than just a fruit and more than merely a dessert ingredient. You can make pineapple starter recipes (as they are called in the UK) or pineapple appetizers (as those of you in the US and Canada will know them) with pineapple because its sweet flavor contrasts beautifully with savory flavors like cheese, bacon, or chicken. There are easy pineapple appetizers for all occasions.
Why not serve a fruit salad or pineapple sorbet – who’s to say an appetizer has to be savory Pineapples are an excellent fruit to include in the family’s diet, and you will all benefit from having this delicious food daily.
This tropical fruit has a sweet taste with a slightly acidic flavor, making it ideal for both desserts and savory dishes. Combine it with other fruit like grapes, strawberries and apple, and serve with a cheese dip or chocolate dip, or toss with fruit and add a honeyed syrup to make a fruit salad.
Something else you can do, if you want starter recipes with pineapple ideas, is finely chop cooked chicken or turkey and toss with pineapple and mayonnaise to make a creamy spread for crackers or baguette slices. Add some salt and pepper and maybe minced green onion. It is better to serve the salad on the side though because it can soak through crackers and make them soggy. Serve it with the crackers or bread slices on the side and let people scoop up their own serving.
Many Asian influenced dishes will include pineapple, and they are lovely as a starter regardless of how you prepare, present and serve them.
Pineapple Appetizers: How to Prepare Pineapple
Sweet and Sour Chicken Pineapple Cups
This blend of chicken, pineapple and more promises a delicious appetizer for any occasion. They are easy to make and the flavor is wonderful, showcasing the sweet pineapple perfectly.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Appetiser
- Cuisine: USA (Traditional)
Ingredients
- 1 baby romaine lettuce, with leaves separated
- 2 chicken breasts cut into strips
- 1 sliced green bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic sliced
- 1 tbsp toasted cashews
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 inch piece fresh root ginger
- 3 oz (100g) fresh pineapple cut into chunks
For the sauce:
- 1 tbsp soft brown sugar
- 2 fl oz (50ml) dry sherry
- 2 fl oz (50ml) ketchup
- 2 fl oz (50ml) rice vinegar
- 2 fl oz (50ml) soy sauce
- 5 fl oz (125ml) chicken stock
- 1 red chili pepper, chopped
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 fl oz (50ml) vegetable oil
Instructions
- Mix everything for the sauce, except for the cornflour together in a bowl
- Heat the oil in a wok and stir fry the chicken for 4 minutes
- Add the other ingredients and fry for 1 or 2 minutes
- Add the sauce to the chicken and cook for 5 minutes
- Stir in the cornflour and wait until the sauce has thickened
- Arrange the lettuce leaves on a plate and spoon the mixture on to the leaves
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve
Facts About Pineapples – Learn Something New!
Knowing When to Pick and Serve
Pineapples do not continue to ripen once picked, which means that they need to be cultivated at peak ripeness. Then you can make the best appetizer recipes with pineapple which have a fresh flavor and perfect texture. Therefore, for people outside of the growing countries, pineapples can be expensive to purchase, as they must be carefully handled.
Top quality pineapples will have a rich color with no greening. They will be soft to touch, but not too soft, as this indicates that they are too ripe, and cannot be used.
Rich in Vitamins and Nutrients
Pineapples are rich in vitamin C and have a dietary enzyme, which is excellent to tenderize meat. This makes the fruit excellent to eat with different meats either grilled or baked. However, you may find that this enzyme causes a tingling sensation in your mouth, which can be painful or at least uncomfortable. There are lots of appetizer recipes using pineapple as well as meat to whip up.
Pineapples are also placed in the negative calorie section, which is perfect for people on low calorie diets. The high fiber within the pineapples is fantastic and can help your digestive system. There are also levels of vitamin A, iron and calcium present, which are perfect to include in your diet.