Pineapple Parrot

I just realized, gasp, it's been a week since I've posted anything.
We had Tapas last week, and I've been busy this week preparing for my new ventures.
I'll be making and hopefully selling as well, my home made crackers and Danish Pastries starting next weekend.
I'll also be teaching some cooking classes starting next week, and I've been preparing my lesson plans, and hoping someone actually signs up for the classes.

Also, because it's been awhile since I've gotten together with the ladies on Friday night, I made another Pineapple Bird. 

I saw a video on Facebook, and had to try my hand at it.
I made one for Tapas last week as well.

 I think I like this week's one better, although that beak needs work.
At any rate, I remembered to take pictures of the whole process, so take my hand and I'll attempt to walk you through it.

First off, you need a good pineapple.   If you don't trust yourself to pick one out, ask a trusted friend to do so.  That's what I did last weekend, and it was a good one.  Then I attempted to pick one out for myself, and, well, it was not as good.

Next up, are your tools.  A sharp knife, a pair of kitchen shears or a sharp pair of scissors,  a carrot and a paring knife.  Wait a minute, you'll need the carrot but not for a few minutes, so you can put that aside.
And a cutting board.

Place the  Pineapple on a cutting board, determine it's not quite even on the bottom, so shave off a little on one side so it sits neatly.

Next:  Cut off the top third of the pineapple and set the bottom aside for a few minutes.

 Decide, you really cut it unevenly, so even it out, by cutting a thin slice from one side.

We'll get to it, soon.
Next up, you want to make the 'tail', so get your kitchen shears out and start trimming the leaves from the pineapple.
Like this:

Got your knife handy? 
Cause we need to get to cutting some more of the pineapple.

 Cut a piece off of each side of the 'tail', you just trimmed, and put those pieces aside.
Hopefully, you'll end up with a piece of pineapple that looks like this.

Now, that you have that done, it's time to make the bowl.
Cut down the sides with a sharp knife, but not through the bottom or the sides. 

 Continue until you've gone all the way around.    (By the way, this knife is a Miracle Blade and I love, love, love it.  I've used this Filet Knife for a lot of things, and it's been fantastic. Shameless plug here.)

You now have the beginnings of a pineapple bowl (and not the foodball kind either).   That round shape is still attached at the bottom so the trick now is to get it out, without cutting the bowl apart or nicking yourself.
Cut three or four slits just above the bottom of the bowl, and insert a sharp paring knife in and cut it free. 
(I would add that if you place a toothpick in each cut so you find it easier, it helps.  Believe me when I tell you that finding that slit after you cut it, is not easy).

 If you did it right, the whole center will lift right on out.

See, easy peasy.
Put that aside, while you get your creative juices going.
You're going to shape the parrot head next. 
Using a sharp knife, round off the squared off part of the tail.
Then get that carrot out, cut off a piece, and start playing with it.

Basically, you want to be able to stick it onto the pineapple in such a manner that it is even.  After you've pared the peel off, you can use the peeler to shape the carrot into more of a beak.  Use a toothpick inserted in the end of the carrot and stick it into the pineapple, or use a bamboo skewer, cause the toothpick you used didn't hold.

 Now that you've got it shaped, and mated, that bird needs eyes.  I used some cloves to make the eye.

Here's looking at you, kid.

  Sorry, couldn't resist that one.

 I didn't put the whole thing together until I got to the gathering on Friday, but this is how the one I made last weekend looked.  

 You stick one end of a skewer into the pineapple bowl and the other end into the parrot to 'perch' it on the side of the bowl.

That piece you cut out of the bowl?  Well, just cut the core out of it, then cut the rest it into little cubes, pile them back into the pineapple bowl and serve.  

Any questions?

No, OK, class dismissed.

Getting some practice in there.

Have a great week.

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