#pineapple

#pineapple

This frosty, pale yellow puree holds a secret: a super citrusy, sweet tart flavor owed to a load of lemon zest and juice. When I'm in the mood for a sunny, citrusy drink, this is what I crave! Whiz it up with frozen fruit and milk in a blender, and it's one of the tastiest, most satisfying smoothies around. You can even call it a "lemon pie smoothie" to make it even more fun!

For the uninitiated, the viral Del Destino Golden Pineapple Spears that have the internet buzzing are massive, toothy rods of pure pineapple jarred in coconut water. They're crisp, refreshing, sun-ripened, and made in Peru - nearly 2 pounds of fruit for between $6.69 and $6.79, and a shelf-stable way to enjoy a taste of the tropics even as the winter rages on.

Jasmine rice gets toasted until fragrant and lightly golden, then it's cooked with coconut milk to yield a supremely nutty base for the salad. Fluffy toasted rice meets crunchy slaw and seared tofu in my gingery, toasted rice salad. When you toast grains of rice until fragrant and golden, it takes on this nutty flavor that adds complexity to whatever you're making.

While it's long been recognized as a vital nutrient, many people are working even harder lately to get more protein into their diets. Protein gives us energy, helps produce new cells and keep them healthy, aids in transporting oxygen throughout our bodies, and assists in creating antibodies that fight illness. It's no wonder we're often looking into ingredients that pack a protein punch.

There's something about sipping a piña colada that makes you feel like you're on vacation, even if you're just at home. Too many piña coladas taste way too sweet with only a hint of rum. But I've found out that the original recipe for this classic cocktail has a perfect balance between the pineapple juice, cream of coconut, and aged rum.

Sweet potatoes are the roots of their vine-like plant, and they're members of the morning glory family. Yams are root vegetables from another plant family and grow differently, with tougher skin. Sweet potatoes are indeed sweeter, which is why you can also use them in desserts like sweet potato pie. Yams are starchier in flavor and work well as a side with other vegetables.

Quinoa is a filling, nutty-tasting food that pairs well with a variety of ingredients. From breakfast bowls of quinoa topped with yogurt and fruit to savory meals made with chicken and roasted veggies, this powerhouse seed is ready for culinary embellishments. But there's no need to just prepare quinoa with water, instead, make things creamier by simmering the small superfood seeds in a can of coconut milk instead.

A humble - and delicious - berry could be the answer to improving your gut, brain and heart health, a major review found last week. Experts have long urged us to eat more blueberries, but thankfully you don't need to be consuming kilos of the superfruit for it to have an impact. Every year Britons consume 57,000 tonnes of the tiny fruits; enough to fill 23 Olympic size swimming pools.

In addition to selecting a mix of quality fruit, a key to constructing the perfect berry bowl is layering a creamy base with succulent fruit elements, plus contrastingly crunchy toppings. To keep toppings like granola, cereal, and puffed grains crunchy, though, there is one important rule you need to follow: Add the toppings on just before serving the berry bowl.

Protein-packed smoothies and shakes are all the rage. Whether your go-to ingredient is Greek yogurt, peanut butter, cottage cheese, or simply protein powder, these popular drinks are both refreshing and good for you. But sometimes, after a long day, protein is the last thing you want to worry about, and a dessert-like smoothie is the perfect pick-me-up. One of our favorite sweet smoothies is a spin on one of the most classic vintage American pies: the cherry pie.

Every morning I join a group of friends for coffee and conversation at a cafe in my neighborhood. We call ourselves the "coffee klatch." This time of year, one of the key klatchers, Michael Soriano, often comes bearing a bag of Meyer lemons, picked from his tree. Last year he even did a drive-by in front of my apartment, delivering a bag of those fragrant golden orbs just for me. Such luxury! And free. It felt like a heist.