Hawaiian Chicken Cordon Bleu

Hawaiian Chicken Cordon Bleu

Hawaiian Chicken Cordon Bleu Ingredients:

2  Boneless Chicken BreastsCoco Lopez
1 slice of Ham
1 Slice of Fresh Pineapple
1 Slice of Swiss Cheese

1/2 cup Seasoned Bread Crumbs
1/4 inch Oil in the pan for Cooking

Hawaiian Hollandaise Sauce:

4 egg yolks
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (1 stick)
1 tbsp Coconut Cream (Coco Lopez)
Pinch salt

In a hot pan set on medium heat, poor 1/4 inch of cooking oil.  Cut a horizontal incision on the long side of each Chicken Breast, creating a pocket.  Then cut the Pineapple, Ham and Cheese (filling), diagonally,  then stack them all together and insert them into the Chicken Pocket, Small point first.  Using a tooth pick, fasten the top and bottom of the Chicken Breast over and around the filling. Then Roll the Breast in Bread Crumbs and place top side down first for 3 to 4 minutes.  Thin flip over and repeat.  Be sure that the chicken is cooked all the way through before serving.

How to cut a Pineapple

I know… It’s just a Pineapple!

The Pina Colada Recipe I did the other day made me realize that it probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to whip a quick “How to” slice and dice a Pineapple.  Well that and the fact that even my own mother doesn’t know how to do it either.  Also I was noticing the price difference between a whole fresh Pineapple vs. already sliced Pineapple.  The fresh whole Pineapple I could purchase for $2.98 ea., but the pre-cut Pineapple was twice that price for about 2/3 of a entire Pineapple. So what would you do?  That’s what I thought… let’s learn how easy it is to rip one of these fruits to shreds, shall we?

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First, how do we pickem’?

Pineapple have 4 easy signs to look for:
  1. Look for a bright green fern growing out of the top of that fruit.  If it’s dead or drying out, it probably isn’t the healthiest or the most nutrient.
  2. A bright green and yellow fruit means it needs more ripening.  So unless you’re purposefully buying your pineapple days in advance you are going to have a sour and bitter fruit.  Look for less green and feel that the outside is susceptible to pressure when you squeeze it.
  3. Smell the Pineapple.  If it smells sweet and fresh before you cut into it,  the way a pineapple should, then it’s probably ripe.
  4. Something most people won’t tell you or condone, but if you look at the very center of the bottom of the pineapple and see a tiny amount of white peach fuzz like mold, it is ripe and ready to cut now!

Tip: If you flip the Pineapple upside down 12 to 24 hours in advance and let gravity work in your favor, you will have a sweeter Pineapple all the way through the fruit.  Trust me.

 

Making the Perfect Pina Colada

Pina ColadaThe Best Pina Colada

Being served a dressed up Pina Colada is Awesome.  It’s refreshing and it makes you feel like you’re on vacation somewhere if you’re not already.  Making one your self can be fun, however, side fruit and umbrella’s aren’t really necessary.  By the time I get everything blended, I just want to drink it already.  So here is my version of the Pina Colada.

Pina Colada 101

First, it’s all about fresh Pineapple.  If you’re planning on using pineapple in a can, put it back, put it back!  I’ve been scoring fresh Pineapples lately for under 3 bucks, so there is no reason to make a crappy mug of dead pulp.  Besides, you will NEVER get enough flavor, or at least the flavor you are expecting out of a can of pineapple; and just so you know, I am never taking the credit for a recipe someone half ass followed.  That being said, follow these instructions to a “T” and your Pina Colada will kick ass!

Pina Colada IngredientsSecondly, you have got to find yourself a can of Coco Lopez.  They aren’t your average size cans and it can usually be found in 1 of 3 different locations of your grocery, if not your liquor store; Mexican, Asian or with the Mixers.  P.S., don’t ever buy the Pina Colada Mixer, it’s a mistake, trust me.  And, just in case you don’t know, Coco Lopez is Coconut Cream.  Be absolutely certain that you don’t confuse it with coconut milk because it isn’t anywhere close to the same thing.  Okay?

Now, that we’ve covered the important basics of the recipe let’s just dive right in shall we…

Pina Colada Ingredients:

1/3 of a fresh chopped Pineapple
2 cups Ice
½  cup Rum
1 1/4cup Pineapple Juice
½ cup Heavy Whipping Cream or Half and Half
3 oz Coconut Cream
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Combine and blend all of the ingredients together and add more ice, juice or rum as needed.  Ice is for the thickness, juice to thin it out and Rum just for fun! 😉  Then serve and enjoy your Pina colada!

Cheers