Yummy In My Tummy!

This recipe is sooooooo rich, chewy, and yummy! My suggestion is to do a half recipe in a square pan, as you can't eat a lot of this at any one time. The rice flour I bought was not in a box, so I had to guess at 16 ounces.


Nicole says the coconut on top is optional--I think it's a must (unless you hate coconut, but who hates coconut???) because the crunchy, coconut top was my favorite part!

Bibingka

A very traditional Filipino dessert that is usually made with ground up cassava, also called yuca, but I have found an easier recipe that is very similar to the traditional version.

Ingredients

            -1 Box (16 oz) Mochiko (Rice Flour, can now be found in your local grocery store)

            -3 Cups Skim Milk

            -2 Cups Sugar

            -3 Eggs

            -1 Block Butter (1/2 cup), melted and cooled

            -1/2 Tsp. Baking Powder

            -Shredded, sweetened coconut, optional

Instructions

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees

-In a large mixing bowl add all of the ingredients and blend with a mixer until smooth.  Make sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl with a spatula.

-In a 9x13 inch baking pan, pour in the mixture and sprinkle with shredded coconut if desired. 

-Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour.  You are looking for a golden brown top with the sides coming away from the pan.  You can also do a test by sticking a tooth pick in the center of the dessert.  If it is no longer liquid but more sticky, then it’s done.

My family loved these! I found the consistency of this dessert to be like a fruit snack--not the rubbery ones, but the soft chewy ones made from fruit juice. And, as I mentioned, the coconut crunch on top is the best.

Enjoy, and come back on Monday--It's finally guava cake time!!

Happy baking,

Cheryl

Soup's On!

As promised, Nicole's favorite recipes this week! I always prepare the dish myself before posting the recipe on my blog. This one was absolutely delicious! My family loved it, and now expect me to cook it on a regular basis all winter.


It is a long process, so I suggest cutting up the veggies (except the cabbage) the evening before, when you put the ham hocks on to cook. I put the cubed potatoes (mine were more chunks than cubes) in salt water and stored in the fridge with the other prepared vegetables. I sliced the sausage instead of cutting into cubes and also cooked it the night before. I didn't have tomato sauce, so I substituted 1/2 can of diced tomatoes--worked just great.

Portuguese Bean Soup

Ingredients

            -4-5 Lbs. Smoked Ham Hocks (Safeway is the only store I can find that carries             smoked ham hocks; if you can’t find smoked, fresh ham hocks is fine)

            -1 Package of Portuguese Sausage, diced into 1” cubes (Redondo’s is what I use but any             brand is okay)

            -3 Russet Potatoes, peeled and diced into 1” cubes

            -4 stalks Celery, diced

            -3 Medium Carrots, diced

            -1 Yellow onion, diced

            -1/2 of a small head of Cabbage, sliced into thin strips

            -4 Bay Leaves

            -1 15 oz. can Tomato Sauce

            -1 can Kidney Beans

            -4 14 oz. can Chicken Broth

            -Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

If using a dutch oven:

-Preheat oven to 250 degrees Farenheit           

-Using a 7 quart (or larger) dutch oven toss in the ham hocks, tomato sauce, one can of the chicken broth, and the 4 bay leaves.  Add a teaspoon of kosher salt (use less if using table salt) and a teaspoon of pepper.

-Cook for 8 hours.  What I usually do is put it in the oven before I go to bed (around 10pm) and take it out when I wake up (around 7).  You can’t overcook ham hocks; it’ll only make the soup tastier. 

If using a crock pot:

-Turn on setting to low and cook for 8-10 hours

-Once the ham hocks are done cooking, place in a cool area and let cool until it is ready to be handled. 

-Next, with your hands, separate the meat from the bones and fat.  You’ll find that if you’ve cooked the ham hocks long enough, the meat should separate fairly easy.  Discard the fat and the bones.

-In a large pan, cook the portuguese sausage on a medium to medium-low setting to render the fat and juices from the sausage (15-20 minutes).  Once the sausage is nice and crispy, remove from heat and save the fat and juices to add to the soup.

-Return the ham hock meat back to the dutch oven or large pot and place on stove top under medium heat.

-Add potatoes, celery, carrots, onion, the portuguese sausage and juices, the remaining chicken broth, and salt and pepper to taste to the soup base and bring to a simmer. 

-Cover and cook until potatoes are almost knife tender (10-15 minutes). Tip: do not over cook the potatoes as it will make the soup mushy and very thick.

-Next, add the sliced cabbage and kidney beans and cook for an additional 5-8 minutes. 

-Serve with some crusty bread (mainland style) or some hot rice (Hawaiian style). 

Serves about 10

Thank you so much, Nicole! My family had the soup for two meals, and I froze a meal as well. Visit on Thursday for Bibingka!

Happy cooking!

Cheryl

May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii

My niece, Nicole, grew up on the Big Island and one of her favorite memories as a kid growing up in Hawaii was the state-wide May Day Celebration. In Hawaii it’s known as May Day is Lei Day.

If you missed the three-part interview with Nicole, you can catch up by looking at the past three postings about a kid’s life.

Mahalo, Nicole, for sharing this information!

While in school, students in Hawaii not only learn general subjects, but also a great deal about their heritage, history, and culture. They learn the Hawaiian alphabet and the correct Hawaiian pronunciation. Nicole told me it influences how she pronounces some of the names she comes across now while living on the mainland. Her husband kids her about the way she says some things. To learn more, search my blog for a past post about the Hawaiian alphabet and pronunciation.

Nicole’s favorite memory is the huge state-wide May Day Celebration. Every school-aged child participates. Each school chooses a king and a queen and eight princesses to represent each of the eight islands. Each grade performs a traditional, ancient Hawaiian dance, and there is a song which was written to commemorate this day.

The eight princesses wear the colors of the flower which represents their island:

Hawaii - lehua. It's blossoms come from the `ohi`a lehua tree which grows on the slopes of the volcanoes on the Big Island. Its flowers, most commonly red but also found in white, yellow and orange, are sacred to Pele, the goddess of volcanoes.

Kauai - mokihana. Actually a fruit, the purplish berries of this tree which is found only on Kauai are strung like beads and often woven with strands of maile. The berries have a scent of anise and are long lasting.

Kaho'olawe - hinahina. Found on the beaches of Kaho`olawe, the stems and flowers of this silver-gray plant are braided together to form this lei.

Lanai - kaunaoa. The light orange thread-like strands of this parasitic vine are gathered in handfuls and twisted together to form the lei.

Maui - lokelani. The pink lokelani or "rose of heaven" is sweet scented and very delicate.

Molokai - kukui. The leaves and white flowers and sometimes nuts of the silver-green kekui, or candlenut, tree are braided together to make this lei.

Ni'ihau - pupu. White pupu shells found along the shoreline of this rocky island are pierced and strung on cords to form this lei.

O'ahu - `ilima. This yellow/orange lei is velvety, paper thin and very delicate. It is sometimes called the royal lei because they were once worn only by the high chiefs.

The king for each school usually wears a maile lei and the queen is draped in `ilima leis. Historically, these leis were reserved for royalty.

Nicole has wonderful memories of this amazing celebration. Wish I could have been a kid participating in one of them!

Don’t forget to check back next week when I’ll post Nicole’s recipes.

Also, keep up with my blog, as I have baked, and will post, three different recipes for guava cake. Nicole and I both love it. Yum!

Until then, it’s a life in flip-flops!

Cheryl

Ahh . . . A Kid's Life! (Part 3)

My three main characters in The Hawaiian Island Detective Club are thirteen years old. They’ve grown up in a small town surrounded by pineapple and sugarcane fields, beaches, tropical vegetation, and amazing surfing waves. Ever wonder what it would be like growing up in Hawaii?

My niece, Nicole, grew up on the Big Island and is going to share a little about her life as a kid in Hawaii. This is Part Three of my interview with Nicole. Look back to last week’s Monday and Thursday posts for Parts One and Two.

Aloha, Nicole! Mahalo for sharing with Life in Flip-Flops readers!

Share with us a favorite memory as a kid.

At a young age I remember going to Mauna Kea Beach. It’s been on the travel channel as one of the top beaches to visit. It’s more like a bay, with calm waters for swimming. I loved playing in the sand and water with my dad. He used to pile sand together in mounds and then formed letters to spell out my name. Took him a long time, but it was very cool.

A favorite “hang-out”?

In high school we would go to Waipio Valley. You have to drive a four-wheel vehicle to get down the roads into the valley. Once you get there, you see fields of Taro which is used to make poi. There’s a black sand beach where wild horses run free. At night my friends would play ukuleles. We’d sing and talk story for hours.

Did you and your friends ever get into mischief? If so, tell us a story.

The end of the street where I lived backed into a huge pasture. Even though I wasn’t supposed to, I’d hike into the area with friends. Sometimes we’d swim in the ponds (which probably had lots of bacteria and bad stuff.) I remember racing home and throwing my wet clothes into the washer before my parents came home.

One time on one of our hikes we came across a cow. Maybe we were too close to its baby or something, but it charged us. We ran and climbed over a barbed-wire fence to get away. We were all cut up, but that was better than getting trampled by an angry cow!

What do you really love about Hawaii, especially the Big Island?

I love that The Big Island is the only one where you can be in the snow. My home backed up to Mauna Kea, and I remember seeing the beautiful white covering the mountain. I was about twelve or thirteen when I first got to be in the snow, as you have to weigh at least one-hundred pounds to go up the mountain because the air is thin at that altitude, and kids could possibly pass out.

It’s so cool how you can be in the snow, and then in less than an hour later be at a sunny, warm beach! The Big Island is the only place you can do that.

Anything else you’d like to share with my readers?

In Hawaii, May Day is Lei Day. Every year it’s a huge state-wide celebration involving every school-aged child on the islands, and I loved it!

Mahalo, Nicole!

Don’t forget to check back on Thursday for more information on one of Nicole’s favorite celebrations—May Day! Then check again next week on Monday and Thursday to see her favorite recipes!!

Also, keep up with my blog, as I have baked, and will post, three different recipes for guava cake. Nicole and I both love it. Yum!

Until then, it’s a life in flip-flops!

Cheryl

Ahh . . . A Kid's Life! (Part 2)

My three main characters in The Hawaiian Island Detective Club are thirteen years old. They’ve grown up in a small town surrounded by pineapple and sugarcane fields, beaches, tropical vegetation, and amazing surfing waves. Ever wonder what it would be like growing up in Hawaii?

My niece, Nicole, grew up on the Big Island and is going to share a little about her life as a kid in Hawaii. This is Part Two of my interview with Nicole. Look back to Monday’s post for Part One.

Aloha, Nicole! Mahalo for sharing with Life in Flip-Flops readers!

What is your favorite part of Hawaiian culture?

The sense of “family.” Younger kids always call adults “Auntie” or “Uncle” whether they know them or not! Growing up I remember spending lots of time with my entire extended family.

Also, people are so kind to one another—always willing to help and always saying “thank you” when you help them. Even with the simple things like holding a door open for someone. I actually get frustrated on the mainland when you are helpful or courteous to people and they just ignore the gesture. Many times there’s no “thank you” or any acknowledgement.

What are your favorite Hawaiian foods to cook?

Portuguese bean soup. It takes forever to make, but it is soooooo good!

What recipes would you like to share with my readers in two weeks on the Monday and Thursday blog posts?

I’ll share the recipe for Portugese bean soup. Also, bibingka, a Filipino dessert, and kalua pig. Of course the pork will be cooked in the oven, as I doubt anyone wants to dig up their yard to make an imu!

What other things did you do with your friends?

We did lots of outdoor activities. About five of us used to ride our bikes down the street in a long line like we were a biker gang or something. We also roller-bladed a lot. Birthday parties are a big thing in Hawaii and I remember many celebrations at the beach.

In high school my friends and I spent nearly every weekend at the beach—tanning, swimming, and walking. I always had a very dark tan. Now when I go home my family and friends comment how pale I am!

(Cheryl’s comment: Nicole is NOT pale by Pacific Northwest standards!)

Mahalo, Nicole!

I’d sure love to spend that much time on a sunny beach with warm water. Wouldn’t you?

Don’t forget to check back on Monday for Part Three of my interview with Nicole. Thursday will be a special blog on the state-wide May Day Celebration that Nicole loved as a child in school. Then on the following Monday and Thursday, join me to see Nicole’s favorite recipes!!

Also, keep up with my blog, as I have baked, and will post, three different recipes for guava cake. Nicole and I both love it. Yum!

Until then, it’s a life in flip-flops!

Cheryl

Ahh . . . A Kid's Life! (Part 1)

My three main characters in The Hawaiian Island Detective Club are thirteen years old. They’ve grown up in a small town surrounded by pineapple and sugarcane fields, beaches, tropical vegetation, and amazing surfing waves. Ever wonder what it would be like growing up in Hawaii?

My niece, Nicole, grew up on the Big Island and is going to share a little about her life as a kid in Hawaii.

Aloha, Nicole! Mahalo for sharing with my blog readers!

When you were a kid, what was your favorite thing to do?

All of our family, including cousins, aunties, and uncles gathered at Nana’s house, my Filipino grandmother. She’d cook traditional foods from the Philippines on a Friday or Saturday night and after we’d eaten, we would sing Karaoke and talk story until late at night. I loved it!

  

What was your favorite food?

Marunguay. It’s a Filipino dish made from mongo beans. The texture of the dish is similar to refried beans. They are cooked with the oval shaped marunguay leaves and served with rice. Unfortunately, I’ve never found marunguay leaves here in Oregon.

Favorite Hawaiian food?

My own concoction of poi mixed with lomi salmon. I also love kulolo which is made with poi and coconut milk. It’s rich and creamy. I love guava cake, too.

Favorite Shave-Ice flavor?

Strawberry with li-hing mui powder on top. The powder is made from grinding up tiny salty, sweet, and sour red plums. It looks like paprika. In the center I like the soft serve with azuki beans which is a red bean. I know it sounds strange, but it’s good and I love it.

Did you learn the hula or go surfing, and at what age?

I learned the hula at around age eight and continued to dance for about seven years. I don’t recall my halau (dance group) having a specific name, but usually they do. Most of my friends danced too, no matter their ethnic or cultural background. I remember once during the spring Cherry Blossom Festival dancing on top of a huge float in the parade.

One year there was a big competition scheduled in Hilo, but right before the event, I sprained my ankle and couldn’t compete.

At an event in Kona we danced a traditional hula, which meant we did it with bare feet. Kona is in a very hot part of the island, so the sun beat down, heating the rocks we danced on. I remember how hot they were and later discovered blisters on my feet!

As far as surfing, I’ve had only one experience in high school with a friend on a longboard. They are supposed to be easier, but I never could stand up. And, of course, every time you fall, it’s water in your nose! Anyway, it was a horrible experience, so that ended my surfing career.

Mahalo, Nicole!

 

Don’t forget to check back on Thursday for Part Two of my interview with Nicole. Then next week on Monday for Part Three and Thursday to learn more about one of Nicole’s favorite memories as a child—the state-wide May Day Celebration!! The following week I’ll post Nicole’s recipes.

Also, keep up with my blog, as I have baked, and will post, three different recipes for guava cake. Nicole and I both love it. Yum!

Until then, it’s a life in flip-flops!

Cheryl

Pineapples-A-Plenty!

Yes, the Hawaiian Islands are famous for many things, including pineapples.

Did you know it takes eighteen months for a pineapple to mature? Wow! Now, don’t they taste even sweeter and more special?

So what would happen if someone vandalized the fruit growing in the fields? It would be devastating to the crop and the plantation.

This scenario becomes very real in Book One of The Hawaiian Island Detective Club series, entitled Pineapples in Peril. Here’s a little blurb:

When the sweet wafting scent of ripe pineapples

collides head-on with the moldy odor of crushed, rotting fruit,

members of The Hawaiian Island Detective Club

set in motion a plan to find the culprits

who vandalized the Tong Plantation.

Now thirteen years of age

and no longer content to solve pretend mysteries,

LEILANI AKAMAI, MAILE ONAKEA, and SAM BENNETT

discover an opportunity to be true detectives

and solve their first real crime.

Would you like to learn more about Leilani, Maile, and Sam? I hope so, and I will tell you more in the weeks to come. Please e-mail me or comment if you have questions you’d like to ask these characters. They love to talk and love attention, so ask away!

Please join me again. I post on Monday and Thursday mornings. And don't forget to subscribe via e-mail, comment, and follow. See above for some guidance in commenting and following.

In appreciation of pineapples,

Cheryl

Mourning, Stump-toed, and Gold Dust Day?

The above are three types of geckos in Hawaii. There are seven—those three and:

Orange-Spotted Day, Common House, Fox, Small Tree,

and Common House Geckos.

When I lived in Hawaii, I stayed a summer in a house near the UH campus. My roommate was a gecko. He was a funny guy—Oops—let me correct something here!

I believe the gecko that lived with me was a Mourning Gecko. This species is all female. Yup, all female! The female lays the eggs. No male needed to hatch a bunch of baby females. So, I continue . . .

This funny little girl loved my posters. At night when I’d come into my room, she would scamper across my walls, under all the posters. They’d wiggle and shake, creating a slight thunder in my room. I loved that greeting.

Mourning Geckos have been the most prevalent species in Hawaii. There is, however, a more aggressive species, Common House, which may be taking over the lead.

It is believed the geckos arrived in Hawaii by stowing away with the arriving Polynesians. According to scientific studies, their eggs are salt-water resistant, so these eggs could have made the trip as well, on a log or some other floating debris.

How fun it was to have a gecko roommate. I won’t mention the un-fun of having cockroaches! Today, my cat, Lilly, would never tolerate a gecko visitor, especially another female, so I only have my memories.

Glad you visited, hope you comment on your unusual animal companions, and visit again soon to learn more about the islands!

A, B, C, D, E, F, G . . .

Oops! Not when it comes to the Hawaiian alphabet.

There are seven consonants (h, k, l, m, n, p, and w) and five vowels in the Hawaiian alphabet. The following information is taken from this site:

www.alohafriendsluau.com/words.html

Pronunciation of the stressed vowels are as follows:

a - ah, as in car: aloha

e - a, as in may: nene

i - ee, as in bee: honi

o - oh, as in so: mahalo

u - oo, as in spoon: kapu

There are unstressed vowels as well:

a - a, as in about: ali`i

e - eh, as in met: kane

Did you know that in the Hawaiian language, a consonant is always followed by a vowel? So, every word ends in a vowel!

Another interesting point, is the pronunciation of “w.” It is pronounced like a “v” in our alphabet. Try that with Hawaii. Now you sound like a native!!

Notice the apostrophe in the word ali’i (above)? It means you add a slight pause. So: ah-lee-ee. Now you’ve really got it!

Visit the web site above to see discover lots of Hawaiian words—and practice saying them!

A note of my own—I’ve found when there is not an apostrophe between the vowels, they kind of melt together. Can you pronounce the names of some of my characters in my series, The Hawaiian Island Detective Club?

Leilani Akamai, Maile Onakea, Kimo Akamai,

and Kainoa Onakea

How about this one? It’s Hawaii’s state fish:

Humuhumunukunukuapua'a

Check the site if you need help!

See you on Monday! I think I’ll share a bit about my “wall clinging” roommate in Hawaii . . . Hmmm . . .