When most people think of the word “picnic,” visions of a wicker basket overflowing with an array of food on a red and white checkered blanket laid out in a grassy park usually comes to mind. have peaceful parks to
When most people think of the word “picnic,” visions of a wicker basket overflowing with an array of food on a red and white checkered blanket laid out in a grassy park usually comes to mind.
have peaceful parks to utilize, but also breathtaking beaches to lay down our picnic blankets and baskets. Many Kaua‘i residents agree that the famous, easily-accessible Lydgate Park, with its tons of pavilions, is the perfect park for a picnic.
Kalapaki Beach and Po‘ipu Beach both ranked as the favorite beach(es) for a picnic among Kaua‘i residents for their scenic views, sunny weather and range of water activities to choose from (a creative means for burning off newly-gained calories after a picnic).
It’s common knowledge that good food makes a great picnic.
Despite the fact that everyone has their own idea of what kinds of food makes a picnic complete, we were curious to know the top five items that picnic-lovers can’t leave home without.
We’ve compiled a list of the top five items people pack in their baskets (or coolers) before heading off to their choice picnic site: white rice; chicken (Hanamaulu Cafe or KFC); sandwiches (Subway, anyone?); musubi; and cold drinks (soda, water, juice, etc.).
No matter where you decide to set up your picnic or what you decide to bring, always be sure to pack a full basket.
Here are a few recipes for easy-to-make side-dishes, guaranteed to perk up your picnic.
Recipes for the perfect picnic Clam Dip 8 ounces cream cheese 2 tbsp. minced onion 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 2 cans of minced clams, drained 1 tbsp. lemon juice Salt and pepper to taste Soften cream cheese, add other ingredients. Mix well and chill.
Musubi 4 cups cooked rice Ume (pickled plum) Salted water Wash hands thoroughly. Wet hands with salted water to make sure rice doesn’t stick.
Work handfuls of still-warm rice into triangular or cone shapes with one ume in the center of each.
Makes about 12 musubi Sesame Chicken 6 chicken thighs, deboned and cut into 1- to 1› inch cubes Cornstarch Peanut oil, for frying Chopped green onions, for garnish Coat chicken thoroughly with cornstarch and refrigerate for at least one hour. Coat again lightly just before frying.
Deep-fry chicken in peanut oil at 350 degrees F for 3 minutes or until light golden brown.
Drain chicken after frying and dip in sauce.
Garnish with green onions and serve over rice.
Sauce . cup soy sauce . cup sugar 1 tbsp. sesame seeds, toasted One 1-inch piece fresh ginger, finely grated 2 green onion stalks, finely sliced › to 1 tsp. sesame oil In a saucepan, mix soy sauce, sugar, sesame seeds and ginger.
Cook over low heat until sugar is dissolved.
Stir in green onions and sesame oil to finish.
Poke › pound raw fish (aku or ‘ahi filet) . tbsp. inamona (roasted, ground kukui nut) 3 tbsp. green onions with tops, finely chopped 6 tbsp. limu 1 tbsp. Hawaiian salt Cut fish into small pieces about half-inch squares. Add the other ingredients and mix thoroughly.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• To make inamona: Roast kukui nuts whole over a grill or in a 325- degree oven until golden brown, 60 to 90 minutes for either method. If the meat inside is a dark brownish color, it’s ready.
Cool the nuts, scrape out the meat and chop finely. Mash in a mortar with a pestle to a fine consistency.
Add Hawaiian salt to taste. To avoid gastrointestinal distresses, make sure not too eat too much, and that nutmeat is fully cooked.
Ice Box Cookies 2 cups raw sugar 2fl cup flour › cup butter 1 tsp. vanilla 2 eggs 1 tsp. baking soda Mix all ingredients. Roll in wax paper and put in the refrigerator overnight.
Cut into slices at least .-inch thick and bake at 300 degrees F until golden brown.
Guava Ice Cream 3 cups sweetened guava pulp with juice 1 package gelatin dissolved in › cup water 1 › cup sugar 2 cup water (heat later to dissolve gelatin) 1 large can evaporated milk 4 egg whites, beaten Combine ingredients and blend well. Freeze in ice cream maker or in ice tray.
Recipes for ice cream, clam dip, cookies and poke can be found in “A Lei of Recipes,” a cookbook compiled by the Kaua‘i Extension Homemakers Council. Musubi recipe courtesy Jessica Fukushima and mom, Naomi. Chicken recipe adapted from “Sesame Chicken” courtesy “Another Taste of Aloha” as it appears in “Best of the Best from Hawai‘i” cookbook.
