Pineapple for good health

The CSIRO and Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute Diabetes Recipe Boo, 2013 Australia

Peach and Pineapple Lassi  

Serves 4

“A lassi is a traditional Indian yoghurt drink that can be served plain, seet or salty. It’s ideal for breakfast, but also the perfect drink to cool you down on a hot day.”

2 peaches, roughly chopped; 300g pineapple flesh (or 2 x 225g tins pineapple chunks or rings in juice, drained, juice discarded), roughly chopped; 600g reduced-fat Greek-style yoghurt; finely grated zest of 1 lime; 2 tblsp lime juice; 8 ice cubes, crushed

1 Place all the ingredients (except the ice) in a blender and process until smooth

2 Divide the crushed ice among four glasses, pour over the lassi and serve immediately or allow to chill over the ice for 5 minutes.

Tip If you prefer the peaches peeled, score a cross in the base of each peach, then place in a bowl of boiling water for 30 seconds. Immediately plunge into cold water, then remove and peel off the skin. Note that some peach varieties are difficult to peel.

Pineapple and Mint Crush with Lime ‘Ice-Cream’

Serves 4

“This dessert is quick and easy to prepare, and nothing says summer quite like the tropical flavours of pineapple and lime.”

400g reduced-fat Greek-style yoghurt; finely grated zest and juice of 1 lime; 600g pineapple flesh, diced; 1 tblspn finely chopped mint, plus extra small mint leaves to serve

1 Combine the yoghurt with the lime zest and juice. Mix well, then place in the freezer for 4 hours or until semi-frozen.

2 Meanwhile, place the pineapple in a bowl and stir in the mint. Chill in the fridge, then place in the freezer for 20-30 minutes before serving.

3 To serve, divide the frosted pineapple among four serving bowls and add a scoop of lime ‘ice-cream’, then scatter with small mint leaves.