hawaiian staycation.

so, i've got a hawaiian itch, & i've got it bad. unfortunately, it's looking like it's not going getting scratched anytime soon. not a problem - i'm adaptable like that.... enter the hawaiian staycation. the waves might not be crashing outside my window, or a breeze rustling through the palm trees, but it's doesn't take much to create a little island paradise of my own...

* jack johnson on repeat
* a little bit of johnson's baby oil gel with cocoa butter slathered on. (the lotion is wonderful too!)
* piña coladas complete with tiny umbrella, whipped cream & cherry
* & all the makings of my own personal hawaiian luau:

hawaiian kalua pork
4-5 lb. pork butt or shoulder
1 tablespoon liquid smoke
2-3 tablespoons hawaiian salt (or coarse sea salt)
2 cups apple cider

the night before... rub the pork with salt & liquid smoke, and place in the crockpot. cover with apple cider. turn crockpot on low & leave it to cook for 10-16 hours, flipping pork over halfway through. take meat out of crockpot and shred with two forks.

serve the pork with sticky rice, macaroni salad & finish the feast with a big 'ole slice of ted's chocolate haupia pie. yum! yum! yum!


so break out your grass skirt & coconut bra... let's staycation together. at the very least, whip up a ted's chocolate haupia pie, it's heavenly! i think i'll go cut myself another slice.

ALMOST as good as being IN hawaii

Who doesn't love chocolate haupia (coconut) pies from Ted's Bakery? What you've never heard of it? Well, it's on the North Shore of Oahu... next time your visiting the islands, make sure to pay them a visit! But until you do, you can make their famous pie at home...

Chocolate Haupia Pie
1 9-inch prepared pie crust
7 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup sugar
Shaved chocolate, for garnish

Haupia:
1 can coconut milk
1 cup milk
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 cup water

Preheat oven & bake crust according to the directions.

Meanwhile, make haupia: Whisk coconut milk, milk and sugar together in a small saucepan. In a separate bowl, dissolve cornstarch in water. Bring coconut milk mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and whisk in cornstarch mixture, whisking until thickened.

Microwave chocolate pieces on high 1 minute; stir to melt completely. Pour half the haupia into a bowl. Mix remaining haupia with melted chocolate and pour over the bottom of the baked pie crust. Layer white haupia over the top. Cool pie at least 1 hour in refrigerator.

Whip cream with 1/4 cup sugar until still peaks form. Garnish pie with whipped cream and shaved chocolate. Chill another hour. Serves 6 to 8.