We have a tradition of baking something with my friend's daughter when we visit them in California. It started when she was young - cupcakes for a Mother's Day brunch or a batch (or three) of her mother's favorite cookies. During my last visit, Shivani wanted to make...
2023 Holiday Treats - Part 3 One of the more popular recipes on this blog is Saltine Crack Candy - a toffee-like candy that uses saltine crackers as a base. It's easy to make and even easier to eat. This riff on the original recipe takes the classic combination of...
2023 Holiday Treats - Part 1 Here is the first of my Holiday Treat posts for this year. This no-bake treat is easy to make and perfect for gift giving. A simple medley of dried fruit, mini marshmallows, and crushed graham crackers are nestled in white chocolate...
In Hawaii we love mochi in all forms. From traditional forms like ozoni (mochi soup served on New Year's Day to bring luck) and daifuku (filled mochi, usually sweetened red bean paste). To more modern versions like butter mochi, mochi ice cream, and chocolate filled...
In Hawaii, rice is a staple. We eat it at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Growing up it was a given that my mom would get a pot of rice going, regardless of what she was making for dinner. Given the importance of rice, rice pudding is a dish rarely seen on menus. While...
Okinawan Doughnuts The Okinawan Festival is held in Honolulu as a celebration of the culture and foods of Okinawa. Held annually over the Labor Day weekend, the festival is sponsored by the Hawaii United Okinawa Association. In celebration of this annual tradition,...
Recently a friend asked if the previously posted Fresh Mint Ice Cream recipe required an ice cream maker. Unfortunately, despite my love for no-churn ice creams, that particular recipe requires a machine (and my friend doesn't have one). However, her question got me...
Recently a co-worker brought a few boxes of Kinder Bueno chocolate bars to the office. I think she bought them for a fundraiser and wanted to share them with us. These chocolate-covered wafer cookies are filled with a hazelnut cream. They are light and rich and...
National Ice Cream Day is July 16 Ice cream is a lovely year-round treat, especially in Hawaii, but is particularly welcome in the summer. You know I am fond of no-churn ice creams, and this ice cream is yet another example and a great way to celebrate National Ice...
It's summer! Okay, I know, the official start of summer is June 21 but in Hawaii, school is out, the weather is warm, it's time to relax and enjoy the lazy days of summer. What better way to celebrate summer than with a bowl of cold, creamy lemon ice cream with a...
I always need a little something sweet to end a meal, especially dinner. These individual gâteaux are Jacques Pépin's version of an icebox cake and make the perfect post-meal treat. There is no cooking involved which makes it ideal for the summer when you're avoiding...
If you are looking for a chocolaty treat for your Easter celebration, look no further than these festive, no-bake tiffin slices. At this time of the year, it's not difficult to find any number of chocolate candies perfect for an Easter basket. Before the festivities...
During the pandemic, Christina Tosi started an online bake-along series on Instagram called Bake Club. Her videos and the club provided much needed connection in a time of social isolation. Her Strawberry Pie Bars recipe came out of Bake Club. Not only did she teach...
My sister is one of my biggest supporters. She is my sous chef, taste tester, and photography hand model. She is also a recipe developer in her own right - I hope to feature some of her recipes in the near future. Unfortunately for her, her birthday is often a...
Happy Girls' Day! March 3rd is the annual Japanese festival of hinamatsuri or Girls' Day. It is a day to pray for the health and happiness of young girls in Japan and is one of the many celebrations brought to Hawaii by Japanese immigrants. Chi chi dango is just one...
These party chips take the chocolate covered potato chip to the next level. Just like the original, they are a mix of sweet and salty but this version adds a fun surprise for your tastebuds, hidden in plain sight. And since they are inspired by Molly Yeh's Fizzy Rock...