If you grew up in Hawaii, huli huli chicken evokes memories of big, billowing smoke and an unmistakable, delicious aroma wafting from huge grills. Huli-huli chicken was a favorite fundraising vehicle for schools, churches, and social groups. People sold tickets to...
Kamaboko is a common ingredient in Hawaii. It can be used in a dip or as a garnish in a bowl of saimin. Another way to enjoy this Japanese fishcake is to shred it up along with some veggies and mix it in a batter to fry up into little snack patties. Shred/Chop, Mix,...
As with many things, I am late to the one-pot pasta party. On some level, it seemed wrong to me - of course you cook pasta in one pot in simply salted water, and in another pot you create the sauce. Cooking everything together like a dump cake didn't make sense. I...
Stuffed aburage is a comforting dish of braised tofu skins stuffed with a pork, mushroom, and water chestnut stuffing. It is a dish found in many local-Hawaii homes as well as in okazuya (small Japanese delis found throughout Hawaii). What is Aburage? Aburage (also...
I have been looking for a spicy peanut noodle recipe for awhile. I went through several iterations, adding and removing ingredients to find the right balance. I think I finally succeeded in finding a dish that hits all the right notes - a spicy, silky peanut sauce...
As we close out 2022 I am sharing an easy dip to put out on your New Year's buffet table. It's simple and very typical of the casual yet bountiful feasting you will find at local Hawaii homes. What is kamaboko? Kamaboko, or Japanese fishcake, is usually a white fish...
The nice thing about being back home and living with family is the shared cooking duties. My sister is very much like me, always looking at cookbooks and recipes, and she often tries things that I might not have tried myself. The original version of this recipe is a...
During the pandemic, Michael Symon started a new show called Symon's Dinners Cooking Out. Joined by his wife Lizzie and their friend Liv, he prepared meals outside exclusively on the grill. While this recipe for souvlaki is perfectly suited to the grill, he also...
New Mexico-Style Pork With Red Chiles One of the things I dearly miss since moving back to Hawaii is our Moveable Feast group. Never have I laughed so much or eaten so much as the times I spent with my amazing friends. I loved (and hated) the challenge of finding a...
Shoyu Chicken is a popular dish in Hawaii and an easy one-pot dish. In addition to a satisfying home meal, you will find it on the menus of local restaurants, plate lunch spots, and lunch wagons. As with many comfort foods, each family, each cook has their own recipe...
Given the choice, I will almost always choose beef ribs over pork ribs. But my sister introduced me to these pork ribs and there are times when I crave them. These ribs are juicy, tender, and glazed with a delicious Asian barbecue sauce. They are easy to make, messy...
Happy National Taco Day! To celebrate I decided to take a local Hawaii dish and make it a taco. (Note, local Hawaii food is not the same as Hawaiian food - people often get the terms mixed up. Check out this post from Onolicious Hawaii for an...
I am not good at deconstructing a dish. I have tried before and the results may be edible but not terribly successful. I don’t always have the desire to recreate a dish but when it comes from a restaurant in a city I’m visiting, my only choice is to make it myself....
This recipe from John Hinterberger, a beloved food writer for The Seattle Times, is a family favorite and is made from ingredients commonly found in our pantry. With the addition of a salad and nice crusty bread, we have a delicious and satisfying family meal on the...
Macaroni & cheese is an iconic comfort food for many. Full of carbs and cheesy goodness, it's the kind of dish that people want when they need something warm and substantial in their bellies. There are thousands of recipes available from the simplest stovetop...
Living in New England I enjoy the changing of the seasons, something that isn't as dramatic in Hawaii. While I don't care for the winter I hold on to the promise of summer and its bounty of fresh fruit and vegetables. At this time of the year it's hard to limit my...