Skip to content

Robert St. John

Restaurateur, author, enthusiastic traveler, & world-class eater.

Caramelized Pineapple with Pineapple Sherbet

Ingredients

1 whole ripe pineapple, the sweeter the better, Golden pineapples work best

1/2 cup  unsalted butter

2/3 cup sugar

Pineapple Sherbet

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 whole pineapple, peeled and core removed and cut into chunks

1/2 cup cold milk

2 tsp fresh lemon juice

 

Instructions

Place the pineapple on its side and cut off about 1/2 inch from the top and the bottom. Stand the pineapple upright and cut lengthwise to remove the tough outer skin. After the skin has been removed, shave off any remaining hard bits of peel. Cut the pineapple in quarters, lengthwise, through the core. Lay each quarter flat, and slicing at an angle, remove the hard center core. Cut each quarter in half lengthwise again, rendering 8 long slender pieces of pineapple.

Prepare grill for medium heat direct cooking.

Melt butter in a medium sized sauté pan. Stir in the sugar and cook just until the sugar begins to dissolve. Using about one quarter of this mixture, lightly brush the surfaces of the pineapple. Grill for 8-10 minutes, turning once.

Place the sweetened condensed milk and the pineapple chunks in a blender and puree until very smooth. Pass the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, pressing firmly. Discard the remaining pulp. Stir the milk and lemon juice into the pineapple puree and chill for 30 minutes.

freeze the sherbet following the manufacturer’s directions of your ice cream maker. Place it in an airtight container and cover. Freeze at least one hour before serving.

Yield: 1 quart

Recent Recipes

Potato Gratin

Potatoes are the one vegetable I could never give up. Fried, roasted, mashed, or scalloped—doesn’t matter, they’re always on the table in one form or another. This gratin is my favorite way to make them feel a little more special. It’s rich, creamy, and just decadent enough to make it feel like you’re putting in some extra effort. There’s a good bit of cheese in this recipe, but that’s exactly how it should be. The combination of sharp white Cheddar, gruyere, and Parmesan gives it the perfect balance of nuttiness, creaminess, and tang. And using Yukon gold potatoes instead of russets makes a big difference. They have just the right amount of starch to get creamy without getting mushy. This dish is a showstopper on the holiday table, but I’d eat it on a random Tuesday without hesitation.

Read more

Orange Cranberry Muffins

These muffins are like Christmas morning in a bite—bright, citrusy orange paired with tart, bursting cranberries. The combination feels like something you'd find in a festive basket dropped off by a thoughtful neighbor. Perfect for Christmas gift giving or to have on hand for guests throughout the holiday.

Read more

Chocolate Christmas Cheesecake

Chef Linda Roderick has been by my side through these cookbooks for over two decades, and there’s no one I’d rather have guiding me through a cheesecake recipe. She’s a master of the craft—steady, exacting, and always aiming for perfection. This rich, decadent chocolate cheesecake is no exception. It's all about balance. The deep, smooth chocolate filling meets a crisp, slightly salty crust for a perfect bite every time. Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing—otherwise, you’ll end up with lumps. And when you melt the chocolate, give it time to cool slightly before mixing it into the batter, so you don’t end up with curdled filling. It’s worth the patience, every time. A few techniques can elevate this recipe to another level: chilling the dough overnight for a richer flavor, using a water bath to ensure an ultra-smooth texture, and letting the cheesecake rest for at least 24 hours before serving for the best flavor.

Read more