Getting ready for Four Foods on Friday

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Here are this week’s questions. If you’d still like to participate for tomorrow, just head on over to Val’s place!

#1. Cake. Buttercream, whipped cream or ice cream?
BUTTERCREAM!!!! Oh sorry, did I yell? I meant buttercream. (Wipes drool from mouth)

#2. When entertaining do you use real, paper, plastic or styrofoam dishes?
Real because we have a condo and enough real Pottery Barn china for the amount of people who would fit into our place. (I used to have my Pottery Barn china all protected in the basement and thought “forget this! Life’s too short for these pretty dishes to get pulled out once or twice a year!”

#3. When hosting a party do you cook, have it catered or go to a restaurant?
99% of the time I will cook for it if its a small affair but when I had my mom’s 50th birthday party last year I had it catered by my friend and her family because I knew I couldn’t hack it on my own and still be a happy hostess. They saved my rump royal! (And I believe her mom said she’d never cater another party again! LOL)

#4. Share a recipe that you frequently serve when having a party.

This is super easy and people rave about it…Teriyaki Meatballs.

Frozen pre-made meatballs and a jug of that Kikkoman’s Teriyaki Glaze simmering in the crockpot for at least 3 hours. People will drool over them! If you wanna be fancy add a little scallions (green onion) into the mix.

Don’t forget your pets in the face of disaster

Filed Under FYI | 4 Comments

Many people in the islands have disaster preparedness kits for themselves should a hurricane or some other natural disaster hit but are you forgetting someone? Many residents have pets and it’s important that they are thought of as well. If you plan on going to a shelter, do they accept pets? Do you know? Don’t assume, many do not. If you had to leave your pets behind, what would you do?

Hurricane season runs through the beginning of November in Hawaii so pick up some tips on how to keep your 4-legged furbabies safe by clicking here.

To search for pet friendly hotels on the islands, click here.

Royal Gardens last 2 residents get another visit from Pele

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As a breakout from Kilauea’s summit sent lava on a path through Royal Gardens subdivision again, Jack Thompson played amateur firefighter by putting out the small fires that erupted from Pele’s visit. Lava fountained up to 30 ft. tall about 4 miles from Dean Schneider’s makeshift shelter. I’ve gotten a few questions lately about Jack’s status and if he was still in Royal Gardens so there’s your answer. For a good article about Kilauea’s new threat to the two loners, click here.

Everclear stops by Hard Rock Maui

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Looking to take in a cool summer concert on Maui tomorrow night? Stop by the Hard Rock Cafe in Lahaina to see rock band Everclear.

Where:Hard Rock Maui
900 Front Street
Lahaina, Hawaii 96761

When: Wednesday July 9, 2008

Doors open at 9:00 pm, show starts at 11:00pm

Price:$42.50

Hawaiian word of the week

Filed Under Word of the week | 1 Comment

Ku’uipo-(koo-oo-ee-po)- Sweetheart

The alphabet contains 12 letters: 5 vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and 7 consonants (h, k, l, m, n, p, w). To simplify pronunciation, sound consonants as in English and break up words so they are easy to say (ie- Humuhumunukunukuapua’a would be pronounced humu-humu-nuku-nuku-apu-a-a)

Pronounce vowels as follows:

a - a in above; e - e in set; i - ee in see; o - o in some; u - oo in moon.

Pronounce vowels marked by a glottal stop (`) quickly ie- o`o sounds like oh-oh! in English.

Stress rising dipthongs (ae, ai, ao, au, oi, ou, eu, ei) on the first letter and end with a short e, i, o or u. ie- oi sounds like oy in soy, ending with a short “i”.

Aloha Friday Recipe: Carrot Pineapple Cake

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Ingredients:

3 cups flour
2 teaspoons soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups salad oil
2 cups finely grated carrots
1 can (8 1/4 oz) crushed pineapple
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 cups chopped nuts
3 eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan. Sift flour with soda, cinnamon and salt. In large bowl of electric mixer, combine sugar and salad oil. Add half of the flour mixture and mix well. Beat in carrots, pineapple, vanilla and nuts. add remaining flour mixture; beat well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Pour into prepared pan and bake 60 to 70 minutes. Makes 16 servings.

Recipe courtesy http://www.hawaii.edu

Four Foods on Friday Meme #36

Filed Under FFoF | 9 Comments

Here’s this week’s questions for Four Foods on Friday. If you’d like to participate, head on over to Val’s place and post for tomorrow!

#1. Name your biggest cooking influence.
My grandpa’s ex-wife Eileen. I was about 6 when they were married and she was BIG into entertaining and when she did a spread, she did a SPREAD. We’re talking chicken cordon bleu (which is why I had it at our wedding reception), au gratin potatoes, chocolate covered strawberries and tons of other things from scratch. I always loved the grandeur of it all and how everyone would rave about her food. Now whenever I have company over, I love to entertain and whip out my buffet server and let the compliments fly!

#2. What is your ultimate comfort food?
Hmm, that’s tough one. It’s a tie between meatloaf with mashed potatoes, green beans and little fried onions on top and beef roast with my grandma’s homemade egg noodles over mashed potatoes and bake and serve rolls. This is why I will never go low carb! LOL

#3. Name one must have tool that you think every kitchen should have.
A good chefs knife and keep it sharp. If there’s one thing I learned from Sam Choy he travels with his knife sharpener because he said most people’s knives are dull. I’ve never let my knives go dull since and it really does make cutting so much easier and effortless. As far as a “gadgety” type tool I couldn’t live without my apple corer/slicer and the mezzaluna chopper makes cutting herbs or mac nuts a snap.

#4. Share a time saving tip.
The FoodSaver. Ever since I bought this about 6 weeks ago, dinner’s have been so much easier. I mean you do have to take a day to cut veggies and meats but by taking 2 hours out of a Sunday you make your prep time nill during the week when you want to maximize your time. It’s also helped us lose weight because we can just vaccuum up any leftovers or make batches of things like meatloaf and such.

Colt Brennan signing autographs Saturday

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COLT BRENNAN SIGNING
Saturday, July 5th
3 pm to 6 pm at Pictures Plus Pearl Highlands Ctr

- This will be Colt’s only signing in Hawaii.
- Limited to 1,000 signatures, only five per customer.
- Washington Redskin Jerseys, mini helmets and UH photos will be available at Pictures Plus Pearl Highlands. For information and updates on product availability, please check uhbelieve.com.
- 70-80% of the autograph monies go directly to Colt.

Purchase tickets online only at picturesplus.com. Bring your receipt to Pearl Highlands and they will issue your tickets at the signing.

Drop some BIG green for Kauai North Shore luxury

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I was perusing some different sites for some Kauai rentals and came across one that caught my eye. Sure it was luxurious. Yes it was in a beautiful location. But that’s not why I’m sharing it with you, it’s the price. Because I know that you all have $6400 PER NIGHT to spare, I knew you’d want to know about this place! So enjoy your tour of a place that most of us will never be able to stay in! Its nice to dream, right? So what are your thoughts? If you had disposable income would you stay here? And if you can afford to stay here, will you adopt me?

Click here for the rental page.

Remember the 3-1-1 rule for travel

Filed Under Travel Tips | 1 Comment

Whether you’re traveling to Hawaii or anywhere else by plane this summer travel season being aware of what is expected of you as a passenger will make yours (and others) travel easier. One of the biggest things is the 3-1-1 rule. Here’s what TSA’s website has to say regarding this new standard:

3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3 ounce bottle or less (by volume) ; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3 oz. container size is a security measure.

Consolidate bottles into one bag and X-ray separately to speed screening.

Be prepared. Each time TSA searches a carry-on it slows down the line. Practicing 3-1-1 will ensure a faster and easier checkpoint experience.

3-1-1 is for short trips. If in doubt, put your liquids in checked luggage.

Declare larger liquids. Medications, baby formula and food, breast milk, and juice are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint.

Come early and be patient. Heavy travel volumes and the enhanced security process may mean longer lines at security checkpoints.

TSA working with our partners. TSA works with airlines and airports to anticipate peak traffic and be ready for the traveling public.

Now don’t try and be crafty and grab your gallon zip top bags and fill it halfway to the quart level. Many a TSA agent will tell you this is a no go so just do it right the first time and avoid the hassle.

Also, with most airlines now nickel and diming charging for the privilege of your bag to accompany you not only in checked but some with carry ons as well, you need to check with your airline’s website about their policy on baggage now. Don’t forget that there are also heavy baggage fees as well. Don’t be surprised when you get to the airport if you have to end up shelling out close to an extra $100 in fees for a couple if you’re heavy packers or going away for more than 10 days.

For up to the minute info on air travel restrictions and policies, refer to the following websites:

www.tsa.gov

A list of most major airlines

Hawaii specific airlines: Hawaiian Airlines, Island Air and Go! Airlines

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