Fire and Ice

I made some delicious Pineapple Habanero salsa today, and I was looking for something to put the fire in my mouth out after eating a heaping cup of it. I've had a hankering for Cold Stone ice cream lately (even been dreaming about it!), but it's just not the same since they quit making their amaretto flavored sweet cream. Here's the closest thing I can come up with. If you eat enough of it, you'll be too hammered to feel your burning tongue!

Fire: Pineapple Habanero Salsa
4 vine tomatoes
1/4 large sweet onion (or 1/2 onion if medium)
3 or 4 jalepenos, de-stemmed (depending on size and desired heat level)
1 or 2 habaneros, de-stemmed (depending on desired heat level)
1 20 oz can pinapple tidbits with juice
1 8 oz can crushed pineapple
1/2 cup packed cilantro, chopped finely

Roast the whole tomatoes, quartered onion, and jalepenos about 4 inches under broiler on a baking sheet for about 8 minutes, or until tomatoes are blistered and jalepenos are browned with black spots appearing. Turn vegetables over with tongs and broil for another 6 minutes or so, until the vegetables are cooked through. If you want even hotter salsa, you can also broil the habaneros. This will intensify the chiles' oils and add another dimension of heat. They don't take nearly as long to roast as the other vegetables. Cool the vegetables for at least 10 minutes.

Gently move the vegetables to a blender or food processor, being careful not to squeeze out any juices. Add the habaneros, both cans of pineapple with juices, and cilantro. Pulse until desired consistency. Refrigerate until cold. Salsa will thicken slightly upon chilling. If it becomes too thick, stir in enough water to reach desired consistency.


Ice: Amaretto Ice Cream
1 tub whipped topping or 8 oz whipping cream, whipped
1 pint vanilla ice cream, softened (can soften in microwave for 20 seconds at a time)
1/3 cup amaretto
1/3 cup chopped, toasted almonds

Fold all ingredients until well-mixed, then freeze until ready to serve. (Can freeze in individual sundae cups.)