Dinnertime Romance Hawaiian Style

Modern Hawaiian cuisine is a fusion of many cuisines brought by multi-ethnic immigrants to the Hawaiian Islands, particularly of American, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Polynesian and Portuguese origins, including plant and animal food sources imported from around the world for agricultural use in Hawaii.

Mai Tai

The Mai Tai became such a popular cocktail in the 1950s and 1960s that virtually every restaurant, particularly tiki-themed restaurants or bars served them. The Mai Tai was also prominently featured in the popular Elvis Presley film Blue Hawaii.

Ingredients 4 ounces light rum 2 ounces Triple Sec 8 ounces passion fruit juice Ice cubes 2 ounces dark rum Lime wedge

Mix first 3 ingredients together in a cocktail shaker. Place ice in glasses. Divide mix among glasses and float 1 tablespoon of dark rum over each glass. Garnish with lime wedge.

Ahi Poke Hawaiian

Made with the freshest raw ahi tuna, poke makes a great pupu, appetizer, for any meal.

Ingredients: 4 cups ahi (yellow fin tuna, sashimi grade) diced 1/2 cup onion, minced 1/4 cup green onion, minced 1 cup soy sauce 2 tablespoons sesame oil Hawaiian salt and pepper to taste

Preparation: This is the most basic recipe for ahi poke, served as a pupu or appetizer at most luaus and Hawaiian dinners. Season ahi with Hawaiian salt. Add all ingredients, mix well then chill.

Seared Ahi with Honey Mustard Sauce

The perfect way to prepare and serve Ahi-Big Eye or Yellowfin tuna with a delicious Honey Mustard Sauce

Ingredients: 6 ahi (yellowfin tune) steaks cut 3/4 to 1 inch thick mayonnaise blackened spices Honey Mustard Sauce (see below)

Preparation: Brush a thin layer of mayonnaise on each side of ahi steak. Sprinkle both sides with your favorite blackened spices. Grill steaks for approximately two minutes on each side. Do not overcook. Slice steaks across the grain. Apply a small amount of honey mustard sauce on each plate. Place a serving of ahi onto each plate.

Honey Mustard Sauce Ingredients: 1 cup Dijon mustard 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 teaspoon horseradish 1 tablespoon soy sauce 3 tablespoons honey 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Coconut Pudding

This coconut pudding, haupia, is a staple desert at every Hawaiian luau.

Ingredients: 2 cups coconut milk 1 cup whole milk 6 tablespoons sugar 5 tablespoons cornstarch 1/4 tsp vanilla (if desired)

Preparation:
Pour one cup of coconut milk into a saucepan. Combine sugar and cornstarch stirring into coconut milk. (Add vanilla is desired) Heat over low stirring consistently until thickened.
Add remainder of coconut milk and whole milk and continue to heat until thickened. Pour into 8 inch square pan and chill until firm.
The recipe can be easily modified for personal taste using more or less sugar and cornstarch.