Kickin’ Hawaiian Pizza

Isn't it about time for a fun new twist on your usual pizza? Pineapple adds pizzazz and honey lends a touch of sweetness to the sauce in this wonderful Hawaiian pizza recipe. Give it a try today! —John Weakland, Springfield, Oregon

Kickin' Hawaiian Pizza Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Test Kitchen Approved

Contest Winner

4 plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped

1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup roasted sweet red peppers

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon honey

2 teaspoons dried minced garlic

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

2 tubes (13.8 ounces each) refrigerated pizza crust

2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided

1 cup shredded Romano cheese, divided

1 package (3-1/2 ounces) sliced pepperoni

1 cup pineapple tidbits, drained

To Make

For sauce, place the first 10 ingredients in a food processor; cover and process until blended. Transfer to a small saucepan; heat through.

Meanwhile, press pizza dough into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan; build up edges slightly and seal seam. Bake at 425° for 6-8 minutes or until lightly browned.

Spread 1-3/4 cups sauce over crust (refrigerate remaining sauce for another use). Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup Romano; top with pepperoni, pineapple and remaining cheeses.

Bake for 14-18 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown.

Originally published as Kicking Hawaiian Pizza in Simple & Delicious January/February 2010

Hawaiian Burger (3)

Credit Nadia G. Bitchin' Kitchen

Hawaiian Burger

• ¼ cup Italian flat leaf parsley, minced
• 1 bunch of chives, minced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp steak spice
• 1 big pinch of Greek oregano
• 1 big pinch of hot chili flakes
• 1 big pinch of sea salt and black pepper
• ½ lb(s) fresh ground organic chuck
• 1 Tbsp canola oil

Mayonnaise

• ⅓ cup mayonnaise
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 1 pinch sea salt & freshly cracked pepper

Toppings and Assembly

• 4 slices Applewood smoked bacon
• 2 fresh pineapple slices, 1/2” thick
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 slices mozzarella cheese
• 2 brioche buns, toasted and cut in half
• 2 challah buns, toasted and cut in half
• boston lettuce
• 1 ripe tomato, sliced into rounds
• 2 pickles, sliced

To Make:

Hawaiian Burger

1. In a bowl, mix egg, parsley, chives, garlic, steak spice, Greek oregano, chili flakes and sea salt.

2. Add beef and squish together for a minute to season beef, don’t over-mix, cover and refrigerate.

3. Shape beef into 2 wide 1-inch thick patties.

4. Heat canola oil in a pan on medium-high.

5. Sear patties for 2 minutes on each side, until they develop a nice crust. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for an additional 4 minutes per side.

6. Top each patty with a slice of mozzarella cheese and melt.
 
Mayonnaise

1. In a food processor, blend together mayonnaise, chipotle peppers, salt and pepper.
 
Toppings and Assembly

1. Heat a big pan on medium and line up the bacon slices. Cook until golden and crispy. Drain.

2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Brush both sides of the pineapple with butter and lightly sprinkle with brown sugar. Place on baking sheet and broil for 5 minutes, until caramelized.

3. Slather chipotle mayo on toasted broche buns, add lettuce, tomato, pickles, burger patty with melted cheese, bacon and a slice of caramelized pineapple.

 

Surprise Pineapple Burgers

Recipe by: SUNKISSED31
 

"My favorite burgers are 'Surprise Burgers'. The pineapple inside the burger adds a hint of sweetness, while the sauce adds some tanginess! Warning: the added sauce and pineapple makes for a mess with little ones!" 

 

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 4 pineapple rings
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
•  your favorite toppings

 

To Make:

 

1. Preheat a grill for high heat.

2. Divide the ground beef into four portions, and form patties around pineapple rings so that none of the pineapple is showing. In a small saucepan, mix together the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. Heat until sugar is dissolved. Set aside.

3. Place burgers on the grill, and cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until well done. Spoon some of the brown sugar sauce over the burgers before serving.
 

Pineapple Salsa

• 4 slices of ripe, fresh pineapple, each about 1/2 inch thick, cored
• 1 small, ripe mango, peeled and roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup roughly chopped red onion
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 tsp kosher or sea salt.

To Make:

1. Grill the pineapple slices over direct medium heat, with the lid open until marked and slightly softened, 6-8 minutes, turning once.

2. Remove pineapple from the grill and roughly chop it. Transfer the pineapple to a food processor fitted with a metal blade and add the remaining ingredients. Pulse until the salsa if finely chopped. If it seems too wet, drain in a fine-mesh strainer.

3. Chill in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes.