Easy Vegan Pineapple Rice

I was first introduced to pineapple rice in Shanghai when one of my co-workers had a dinner party and served it in a hollowed out pineapple. A lot of the restaurants also serve it this way. Last night I attended a vegan potluck dinner so I decided to try to make it. Well the results were great! Everyone raved about it and it was gone so fast. It's so incredibly easy to make, I thought I would share my recipe:

• 1 cup rice (use your favourite kind)
• 1 whole pineapple
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp saffron 
• 1 tsp diced ginger
• 4 basil leaves
• 4 sage leaves

Begin cooking the rice according to the directions. Add all the ingredients except the pineapple to the rice water. Meanwhile, slice off one side of the pineapple and scoop out all the pineapple from the inside. Discard the core. Dice the remaining pineapple and set aside.

When the rice is cooked, add the diced pineapple and mix thoroughly. Spoon the mixture into the hollowed out pineapple.  I love how the pineapple looks like a boat for the rice and after the potluck, no dishes!  Just toss the pineapple in the compost.