Well, this was supposed to be a soufflé: a gorgeous caramelized pineapple macadamia nut creamy soufflé, inverted and served in a delicate bundt pan with the brown butter pineapple rings and macadamia nut pieces revealing themselves on top. A beautiful idea.
How on earth or why, rather, I believed I could create this billowing decadence without even consulting a recipe for soufflé is beyond me.
A soufflé is a baked dish with a flavorful base mixed with beaten egg whites. When baked, air bubbles in the egg whites expand, puffing the soufflé up over the top of the dish. The name for this signature French dish is a derivative of the French verb “souffler,” which means “to blow” or “to inflate.”
Yes, I can create just about anything. But, I’ve never baked a soufflé or popovers before (yes, it’s true) and SOME sort of guidance would have been grand – and a smart idea. I suppose I just assumed eggs, egg whites, sugar – beaten well and then folded together would suffice. Well, I wanted a little creaminess too. THAT is where I believe my plan deteriorated.
Well, lesson learned. BUT, the ingredients were salvaged into a very tasty (yet somewhat ugly) Caramelized Pineapple Macadamia Nut Sweet Scramble. BOTH taste testers agreed that the sweet dish was, well: sweet – meaning, pretty awesome. Maybe I should convert this to an Awesome Ending Friday post – it’s been awhile since we’ve seen one of those.
Caramelized Pineapple Macadamia Nut Sweet Scramble
16 oz heavy whipping cream
14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
4 large egg yolks
juice from 8 oz. canned pineapple rings
4 egg whites
2 Tbs. butter + more for greasing the pan (you make decide to scramble all of this in a skillet on the stove too – your choice)
4-6 pineapple rings (from the 8 oz. canned)
1/4 cup chopped macadamia nuts
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Whip together the cream, sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, and pineapple juice until stiff.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small skillet and brown the pineapple rings and nuts (gently turning), until caramelized and the butter smells sweet.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff. Fold into the whipped cream mixture.
Grease the pan with any leftover brown butter + more, if need be. Line the bottom of the pan with the pineapple rings and nuts. Pour the whipped mixture atop and bake until puffy (or not).
Maybe this technique will work for you? Maybe add some flour? Maybe just whisk everything together in a skillet and call it good. Maybe just laugh and smile. It’s all good.
