Pineapple

"I've never been keen on pineapple," food editor Paul Grimes admits, "so I challenged myself to make a pineapple dessert that I would actually like." Charring the wine-poached fruit caramelizes it and softens its acidity while highlighting its floral notes. With vanilla and a cidery syrup, this dessert feels at once wintery and light.

Cranberries might seem out of place in a salsa, but their zesty crunch anchors this mix of roasted pineapple, onion, and cilantro. Besides, what would Thanksgiving be without cranberries?

This fresh chutney combines pineapple with a recent Parisian obsession—mangoes—for a vibrant counterpoint to rich pâté.

Polynesian-Style Hors d’Oeuvres A blend of crisp, soft, and chewy textures combined with a parade of flavors—sweet, salty, beefy—makes this playful platter an irresistible hit at parties.

Editor's note: This recipe is part of a healthy and delicious spa menu developed exclusively for Epicurious by Chris Miller, executive chef at Como Shambhala Estate at Begawan Giri in Bali. This refreshing juice is pleasantly fruity but not overly sweet. It gets its bright green color, tons of antioxidants, and refreshing zing from parsley and spinach, but neither ingredient overwhelms the flavors of the pineapple, grapefruit, and carrots. Note that not all juicers produce the same amount of liquid. If your machine tends toward a lower output, consider buying extra ingredients. To avoid pesticides and other chemicals, use organic fruits and vegetables and be sure to wash everything thoroughly. Some juicers heat juice slightly, so it's a good idea to chill your ingredients before juicing them. This will allow you to drink the juice right away, when its flavors, colors, and nutrients are at their peak.

This retro favorite was popularized by the Hawaiian Pineapple Company and Gold Medal Flour in the 1920s. Here, the classic goes autumnal with the addition of pumpkin, molasses, and a mix of warming spices.

The tropical relish that tops these chops is a nod to the Caribbean climes and palm-tree breezes that are the stuff Jimmy Buffett songs are practically made of—a veritable paradise in this dish for two.

Basil, cilantro, and red bell pepper bring a savory element to this fruit salad. This is a great dessert, but would be equally good for breakfast or brunch.

Just to clarify—there are no tangerines in this recipe and it doesn't look like a pie. But it's still delicious. In Singapore, these turnovers, also known as kuey taht, are a highly prized gift for Chinese New Year. Traditionally, people give away fresh tangerines (tangerine is a homonym for "gold" in Chinese). When Western-style baked goods were introduced, this round turnover was created to resemble the real thing: thus its crackly orange egg yolk wash and clever little clove on top. CHEF'S TIP: Don't eat the cloves. They are only a decorative touch, and biting into one will definitely be a shock to your palate.

Canned coconut soups are full of distinct Thai flavors such as Kaffir lime leaves and galangal (a gingerlike root). They lend great depth to this surprisingly easy meal.

Editor's note: The recipe and introductory text below are from James Peterson's book Cooking. Cakes like this carrot cake or banana bread are different than most cakes in that they call for oil, rather than butter. While the oil doesn't contribute much flavor, especially if you use vegetable oil, it does allow you to serve the cakes cold without them hardening, as they would if they were made with butter. Grate the carrot on the finest holes of a box grater that won't turn it to mush, or use the finest grater attachment on your food processor.

This sweet and spicy salsa takes the place of the more traditional cranberry sauce. To retain the peppers' subtle smokiness, avoid rinsing them after they've been peeled. Instead, dip your fingers in a small bowl of water to help remove any clingy seeds or skin.

Though pineapple and rum are the foundation for this aperitif, mint and lime juice temper the sweetness for a bright, clean sip.

Pichet Ong adds pineapple to this Italian dessert for a Southeast Asian feel. The tiramisù needs to chill overnight.

Mango, kiwi, and pineapple are enhanced with a little lime syrup for a tangy, and not incidentally yellow and green, fruit salad.