Nice Surprise!

I received an email from the folks at www.erecipe.com that my recipe for Kansas City Style Ribs was chosen as Recipe of the Day!

How cool!

Tour of Fifty States: Hawaii's meals

Aloha!  We are having a Hawaii-themed weekend of meals! Lotsa ono grinds, brah, ya? 

There are so many wonderful foods available in this beautiful state, and I couldn't decide…so we’re having food related to Hawaii at every meal! 

As I write this, there is a pork butt in the crock pot, cooking all day, to be pulled pork sandwiches for tonight’s dinner.  It can’t compare to being roasted with hot lava rocks in an imu wrapped in taro and banana leaves, but I don’t think the neighborhood would allow us to dig a large pit and put a pig in it for the day…so the crock pot it is.  ;)

For breakfast Saturday and Sunday we are having fresh tropical fruit that is normally grown in Hawaii…but sadly, due to costs of transportation, we can’t get anything grown in Hawaii – the only ones I can find have Guatemala stickers on them, but at least the kids will get to try some new things.  We’ll be having eggs with Spam, an island favorite.  I've always liked it…I don’t know if the kids will, but this is an adventure! 

When we talked about the Hawaii meal, my dad asked me if we would be making Loco Moco.  I told Bill what it is, and he said “No way!”  I bet he likes it. 

Aloha from SC!

Menu: 

Friday dinner: Kalua Pulled Pork, Mac Salad (purchased), Ahi Poke, Macadamia Nut Pie

Saturday breakfast:  Eggs scrambled with onions, cheese and Spam, toasted Hawaiian bread, chunks of pineapple, papaya, mango, and coconut

Saturday dinner:  Loco Moco, Lomi Lomi Salmon, Haupia

Saturday breakfast:  Eggs on English Muffins with Spam slices and cheese, chunks of pineapple, papaya, mango, and coconut

Sunday dinner:  Huli Huli Chicken, Corn on the Cob, Grilled Pineapple

Outcome:  This weekend was fun!  I greeted each of the kids with a lei when they entered the house, and we had Hawaiian music playing all evening.  The pulled pork was very, very tender and delicious.  Probably the easiest thing I've ever made.  The Ahi Poke (raw tuna, diced, with seasonings) was a hit.  I only got one tuna steak so we’d all have a little, but the flavor was outstanding.   We absolutely loved the Macadamia Nut Pie – kind of like Pecan Pie, but much better.  Breakfast included fresh fruit both days, and eggs with Spam.  Bill liked the jalapeno Spam!

Saturday evening we had Loco Moco.  The only one of us who was brave enough to try a runny egg on top was Ben, and he said he loved the way the yolk flavored the burger and the rice.  Dessert was Haupia, or coconut pudding.  It was super easy to make and it had a creamy richness to it.  I toasted some coconut for the top of the pudding, and the crunch added nicely to it.  I think the hit of the weekend was the Huli Huli chicken.  The marinade for the thighs was just perfect and we’re definitely making it again.  We had thunderstorms all day, so we weren't able to grill, so we baked the thighs, basting frequently, and we ended up broiling the pineapple slices.  Overall, we think that all of the kids truly enjoyed the weekend full of Aloha!

Next up:  Bill’s turn!  He chose Nebraska!

 

Tour of Fifty States: Massachusetts' meal

Massachusetts, chosen by Bridget is next!  I picked clam chowder for the commonwealth since we’ve already had Lobster Rolls for 2 previous New England states (see Connecticut and Maine,) and because I think it really represents the Cape Cod area. Say it in your head, “Lobstah” and “Clamdiggahs”, LOL. ;-)  I am including the “real” recipe for New England Clam Chowder; however, I am making changes.  I prefer not to use fresh clams (just me, I am squeamish at opening them,) so I am using canned clams and bottled clam juice.   

I’ve never been to Massachusetts, but one day we’ll all go.  Just think about how much history it’s seen:  the Pilgrims, the Puritans, the American Revolution, Salem Witch Trials, the Civil War…  There is even a tie to Charleston:  the African-American 54^th Infantry Regiment, which fought battles on James Island and Morris Island against the Confederates. 

The official state dessert of Massachusetts is Boston cream pie.  It is also quite noticeably a cake rather than a pie. Most Boston Cream Pies are made up of two round layers of cake, a layer of thick, creamy vanilla custard in the middle and a chocolate icing on the top. The Parker House Hotel opened in Boston in 1855. By 1856, as far as we know, Parker House Chocolate Cream Pie, what is now Boston Cream Pie, was on the menu.

Menu:  New England Clam Chowder with oyster crackers, Boston Baked Beans (served at breakfast), and Boston Cream Pie

Outcome:  We all loved the soup (not too clammy) and the cake was a hit!

Next up:  Ben’s turn!  He chose Hawaii! Get ready for a luau! 

New England Clam Chowder