Pineapple doesn’t quite qualify as Italian, but Nutella (a chocolate-hazelnut spread) is definitely an Italian favorite of cult-like proportions, so this can certainly pass as an Italian-American recipe. Grilling the pineapple enhances its sweet flavor, provides the great grill marks, and of course warms it up, bringing a new level of comfort to this incredibly comforting dessert.

　　

Ingredients

6 servings

　　1/4 cup hazelnuts

　　1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

　　1/3 cup mascarpone cheese

　　1/3 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread (such as Nutella)

　　3 tablespoons whipping cream

　　Olive oil

　　1 pineapple, peeled and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices

　　

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the hazelnuts on a large, heavy baking sheet, and toast in the oven, stirring occasionally, until the nuts are fragrant and light golden brown in the center, about 7 minutes. Let cool completely. Rub the hazelnuts between your palms to remove the dark skins from the nuts. Chop the hazelnuts and set aside.

　　

Step 2

In a small bowl, stir the vanilla into the mascarpone just to blend. Set aside. In another small bowl, combine the chocolate-hazelnut spread and the cream. Microwave until warm, stirring every 20 seconds to blend, about 1 minute total.

　　

Step 3

Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for medium-high heat, or preheat a ridged grill pan over a medium-high flame. Lightly oil the grill rack or pan. Grill the pineapple slices until heated through and beginning to brown, about 3 minutes per side.

　　

Step 4

Transfer the pineapple slices to a large platter, and drizzle the warm chocolate-hazelnut sauce over. Dollop the mascarpone mixture atop. Sprinkle with the hazelnuts and serve.

　　Cooks' Note

　　Although canned pineapple wouldn’t be my first choice, you can use it if you pat the slices dry before grilling.

　　Reprinted with permission from Everyday Italian: 125 Simple and Delicious Recipes by Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Copyright © 2005 by Giada De Laurentiis. Published by Crown Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.Giada De Laurentiis is the star of Food Network's Everyday Italian and Behind the Bash. She attended the Cordon Bleu in Paris, and then worked in a variety of Los Angeles restaurants, including Wolfgang Puck's Spago, before starting her own catering and private-chef company, GDL Foods. The granddaughter of movie producer Dino De Laurentiis, Giada was born in Rome and grew up in Los Angeles, where she now lives.