I am so honored to be contributing for Joy of Kosher. My name is Samantha and I write and cook for the vastly cultural blog The Little Ferraro Kitchen. I grew up as your typical Brooklyn Jewish girl next door, watching my mother roll grape leaves and living off of all the wonders that New York delis and Chinese take-out has to offer. When I was a teenager, my mother thought it would be fun (to say the least) to move to Hawaii and start a new adventure there. Now as an only child growing up with a single-parent, who wouldn’t take on such an amazing opportunity? So we packed our Hula-gear and coconut shells and whisked away to the tropical islands of Aloha…or as many Jewish people also call it, Shaloha!
I am now living in Southern California (can’t complain too much about that as well) and mom still lives on the islands. She has passion fruit trees and pineapples at her doorstep and we often hunt for guavas and papayas when I am visiting. As you can tell, Hawaii has been such a huge and powerful influence in my life. Aloha taught me peace, love, culture and appreciation.
I want to introduce you to the beautiful world of Hawaii, how the locals do it. We thought it would be a fun idea to create a “Shabbat Luau”, so here we have 2 recipes that are dear to my Hawaii soul-they are all about comfort and ease.
The first is “Shoyu Chicken”. Just like Hawaii, Shoyu chicken has influences from Asia, hence calling it “shoyu” which is Asia’s term for soy sauce. You will always find shoyu chicken simmering away on “Aunties” stove or at any given luau-it’s just a given. Boneless chicken thighs are simmered with flavors of soy, ginger and brown sugar, just long enough to fall apart at forks touch. You need to enjoy this with rice, as this is a typical staple of the islands.
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A Simchat Torah Hawaiian Luau
Shaloha (Shalom + Aloha) and Chag Sameach! In Hawaii, tropical flavors are year round so …
For dessert, there is nothing better than classic malasadas. Oh my mouth is watering at the thought of these typed words. Malasadas are Portuguese fried doughnuts and are a favorite for both the locals and tourists. This recipe is given by my favorite Malasadas spot on the Big Island, called Tex Drive-In. Light and dense doughnut pillows with a filling if wanted. You won’t be able to stop at just one.
I hope these recipes bring you to the Islands as much as they bring me back home.
Shabbat Shalom and Aloha!
Love the image of Hawaii these recipes conger. Going to try the recipe with hangar steak for Shabbos
I really enjoyed the shave ice when I visited Hawaii. Also, driving through the pineapple plantation at night, the aroma was amazing. The poi was quite good, though heard those that are not familiar with it, do not like it.
Hawaiian food always sounds good to me
Hawaiian food always sounds go to me
Wow, everything sounds great. I can’t believe I’ve never made it over to Hawaii!
Hawaii looks like the most beautiful place ever, and these dishes look delectable! Can’t wait to try them. Thanks for sharing.
My sister’s boyfriend is from HI, & even though he tells me it is not too great, I still would like to try poi.
kaytewatts AT aol DOT com
I really love a good pina colada, and would love to sip one on a beach in Hawaii!
I can’t wait to try the “Shoyu Chicken”.
Musubi is a popular snack in Hawaii, but its not Kosher because it has Spam in it. Its basically a hand roll with spam inside, white sticky rice in the middle and then wrapped in sea weed, or nori. I’ve seen them done with teryaki chicken and eggs as well and its delicious!
These recipes look fantastic – especially the chicken. And I love the idea of using boneless thighs, as they cook faster and won’t be as dry as breasts. Might add pineapple chunks too for some Hawaiian flare!
What is Musubi?
pineapple crusted salmon- yum and very easy
Love hawaiin chicken! (AND WANT TO WIN YOGURT)
Can’t wait to try the chicken. Our neighbors love all things Hawaiian, will have to make it for them for a Shabbos dinner.
I have never been to Hawaii, but I’d like to! I would love to try a lomi lomi salmon and a kosher version of musubi.
A visit to Hawaii is on my bucket list, and I’m a big fan of anything with pineapple or coconut 🙂
I’d love to visit Hawaii!
What a cool menu. I look forward to trying it. I would love to travel to Hawaii!
always wanted to go to Maui or another of the Hawaiian Islands! when I think of Hawaii I imagine beautiful beaches, gorgeous sunny weather, pina coladas by the pool and fresh fruit :-).
pineapple is great grilled as well as on pizza or Hawaiian chicken.
ive never been to hawaii or tasted Hawaiian food before, but i love making foods and parties with a Hawaiian theme! for example pineapple kabobs and yummy margaritas!
I have never been to Hawaii but would love to experience it!
So clearly Spam musubi is out. That would be a very good thing.
never been to hawaii but i really really want to go
The malasadas look delicious!
Last year my husband and I went to Maui and Oahu for our “babymoon” before the birth of our son. As kosher consumers we did not have the experience of true Hawaiian cuisine, but we did enjoy the copious amount of fresh cut fruit…sold on the side of the road, even in far-off places. On Maui, the Road to Hana (a must visit!) was lined with families selling fresh pineapple, coconut, and other fruits from little shacks or even from their front porch. What an experience!
As an aside, the Jewish community in Oahu hosted us for Shabbat–what incredible Hawaiian hospitality 🙂
I have always wanted to travel to Hawaii but aside from that, I am always interested in trying new foods and I’ve never really tried Hawaiian food.
BTW – Chobani is amazing!!! 🙂 Love Love Love <3
Grilled pineapple is delishous!
That would be a fun idea!
Oh yes, the classic loco moco! So ono!
What island are you going to? 🙂
I would love to see an active volcano in Hawaii!
I’m going to Hawaii in the fall—can’t wait!
IT WOULD BE SO NICE TO LIVE IN HAWAII ALL YEAR LONG…BEAUTIFUL WEATHER
We went to Hawaii in March – and it rained and stormed the whole week we were there. I hope to go back one day and actually enjoy the sun and the beaches! We did get to try Loco Moco while we were there – and YUM!
i like chicken with grilled pineapple
i have always dreamed about going to Hawaii. Now, i can’t oook worth a darn but I know those that can so i’ll trade them something if they’ll cook one of these for me!
The chicken recipe has all the ingredients that I love, I can’t wait to try it.
It doesn’t seem like your typical Jewish recipe, but Kosher, yes! Have a wonderful move and enjoy it all!
HI Rhonda, so nice to meet you, I love that you live in Hawaii and glad we could work together to inspire all.
Aloha from Hawaii, I’m Samantha’s Mom, @the Little Ferraro kitchen. Showed this to my ‘local friends’ and even WE want to do a
Shabbat this way (great idea, great recipe)
Thank You Sam and joy of Kosher!
I think I’ll give this chicken recipe a shot this shabbat. I look forward to traveling to Hawaii one day. thanks for sharing!
This food looks great! Any chance you can share some more recipes to make a full Hawaiian themed Shabbat meal?
I surfed for the first (and so far, last) time in Hawaii!
Would love to visit Hawaii with my awesome husband. We do love to eat delicious fresh pineapple.
Aloha! At a very young age I had the gift of going to the island of Maui and other surrounding islands. (My parents were very good to us). The experience alone was amazing! It was the first place that t tried macadamia nuts and snorkeled for the first time. It was an experience that I will never forget! When I am in the mood of cooking Asian style food I tend to aim towards some of the flavors that I can still taste from my childhood. I also grill fruit a lot in the summer since I make a lot of bar-b-ques. Peaches and pineapple do really well on the grill served with homemade parve ice cream. Enjoy the summer everyone!
shaloha, thanks for the great recipes…I like the idea of Shabbat Luau for sure…I love pineapple and all the flavors of Hawaiian cooking
Grilled pineapples, and ANY tropical fruit! Yum!
I love grilled pineapple .. does that count as Hawaiian food?
Would love to travel to Hawaii