Pineapple "Lasagna"

PreparationMake guanabana cream: Stand one half of pineapple upright. Position a large sharp knife at top of pineapple, at outer edge of core, and slice downward to cut pineapple into two pieces. Set aside piece that does not contain core for assembly of dish, and cut core out of other section. Repeat with the other half of pineapple. Dice enough of cored sections to produce 1/4 cup diced pineapple. Purée cream cheese and guanabana in a food processor until very smooth, then transfer mixture to a large bowl. Beat heavy cream in a chilled bowl with whisk until it just holds soft peaks. Fold whipped cream, mango, and diced pineapple into cream cheese mixture and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Make strawberry sauce: Place strawberries in a food processor or blender and sprinkle with sugar. Let stand for 10 minutes, then process until smooth. Strain and refrigerate until ready to serve. Assemble dish: Preheat broiler. Starting with wider sides, cut 6 thin slices from each half of reserved pineapple using a mandoline or sharp knife, for a total of 12 slices. Trim slices so they are evenly rectangular, lay on a greased baking sheet, and sprinkle with sugar. Broil until sugar melts and browns, about 10 minutes. To assemble one "lasagna": Lay 1 slice of pineapple, sugar side up, on a plate. Spread with guanabana cream, then top with another slice of pineapple, sugar side up, and more guanabana cream. Finish with a third slice of pineapple, sugar side up. Repeat to form 3 more "lasagnas." Decorate with strawberry sauce and serve. Chef Villaran Shares His Tips with Epicurious:• Guanabana, also called soursop, is a white-fleshed fruit. Its purée is sold frozen at Latin markets. • If you have a crème brûlée torch, you can use that instead of broiling the pineapple slices. At Andina, Villaran quickly sprinkles each slice with sugar and torches it as he stacks the "lasagna."

PreparationMake guanabana cream: Stand one half of pineapple upright. Position a large sharp knife at top of pineapple, at outer edge of core, and slice downward to cut pineapple into two pieces. Set aside piece that does not contain core for assembly of dish, and cut core out of other section. Repeat with the other half of pineapple. Dice enough of cored sections to produce 1/4 cup diced pineapple. Purée cream cheese and guanabana in a food processor until very smooth, then transfer mixture to a large bowl. Beat heavy cream in a chilled bowl with whisk until it just holds soft peaks. Fold whipped cream, mango, and diced pineapple into cream cheese mixture and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Make strawberry sauce: Place strawberries in a food processor or blender and sprinkle with sugar. Let stand for 10 minutes, then process until smooth. Strain and refrigerate until ready to serve. Assemble dish: Preheat broiler. Starting with wider sides, cut 6 thin slices from each half of reserved pineapple using a mandoline or sharp knife, for a total of 12 slices. Trim slices so they are evenly rectangular, lay on a greased baking sheet, and sprinkle with sugar. Broil until sugar melts and browns, about 10 minutes. To assemble one "lasagna": Lay 1 slice of pineapple, sugar side up, on a plate. Spread with guanabana cream, then top with another slice of pineapple, sugar side up, and more guanabana cream. Finish with a third slice of pineapple, sugar side up. Repeat to form 3 more "lasagnas." Decorate with strawberry sauce and serve. Chef Villaran Shares His Tips with Epicurious:• Guanabana, also called soursop, is a white-fleshed fruit. Its purée is sold frozen at Latin markets. • If you have a crème brûlée torch, you can use that instead of broiling the pineapple slices. At Andina, Villaran quickly sprinkles each slice with sugar and torches it as he stacks the "lasagna."