Ingredients: 1 large ripe pineapple (4 1/4lb) (preferably "extra sweet") 2 750-ml bottles dry white wine 1/2 cup brandy 1/4 cup confectioners sugar 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup water 2 chilled 750-ml bottles Champagne
Directions:1. Cut off and discard top of pineapple. Cut off rind and cut rind into 2-inch pieces. Quarter pineapple lengthwise and cut away core, then cut core into 2-inch pieces. Blend rind and core to a coarse purйe in a food processor, in batches if necessary. 2. Put pineapple puree in a bowl and stir in white wine. Chill, covered, 1 hour. 3. Cut remaining pineapple into 1/3-inch dice and stir with brandy and confectioners sugar in another bowl. Macerate, covered and chilled, stirring occasionally, 1 hour. 4. While pineapple is macerating, bring granulated sugar and water to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then boil syrup over moderate heat, undisturbed, until it registers 230 F on candy thermometer. Cool syrup. 5. Pour wine mixture through a large fine sieve into a punch bowl set in cracked ice and stir in syrup, pineapple with liquid, and Champagne. |