Intro to Cooking: Pina Colada Dip with Grilled Pineapple and Watermelon Kebabs

By Michelle

Personally, I can’t believe that July is about a week and a half from being over. That does not seem real. Soon enough, all the fresh summer foods that we love – ripe avocados, pineapples, oranges and berries of all varieties – will be gone. Let’s enjoy them while we can.

This week, I decided to feature a great dip for sweet foods – fruits, berries, cinnamon tortilla chips…whatever you want really. I especially love to serve it with grilled fruit to provide another option at barbecues – as I’ve written probably a dozen times already, barbecues are really the places to add unnecessary, empty calories. Plus, I swear it’s as delicious as chips and salsa.

This dip contains crushed pineapple, and I also like to serve it with grilled pineapple and watermelon kebabs- two summer fruits that are packed with nutrients. Pineapple is a great source of dietary fiber as well as vitamins B6 and C. Watermelon is a great summer food because it’s high in vitamins A and C and because it’s relatively low calorie and contains a lot of water, which will keep you hydrated.

Pina Colada Dip with Grilled Pineapple and Watermelon Kebabs

You’ll need…

⦁       1 8 oz can of crushed pineapple, undrained

⦁       1 3 oz package of instant coconut pudding mix

⦁       ¾ cup of skim or 1% milk

⦁       ½ cup of sour cream or crème fraiche

⦁       about ¼ of a watermelon, cut from the rind and into cups

⦁       1 pineapple, cut into cubes

⦁       8-10 wooden skewers, soaked in water

How to make it…

In a blender, combine crushed pineapple, pudding mix, milk, and cream for about 30 seconds or until completely mixed. Pour out into a small container, cover with plastic wrap, and store in the fridge for a few hours.

While the dip does its thing, prepare your pineapple and watermelon. Soak the skewers in water to prevent them from burning while on the grill. Alternate between pineapple and watermelon on the skewers. Grill for about 2 minutes on each side to get grill marks.

Remove the dip from the fridge, unwrap and serve alongside the fruity skewers! Enjoy!

Note: the pina colada fruit dip lasts for about 3-4 days if stored in an airtight container.