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.
Scroll to continue
More Love
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!
Interestingly enough just had a Hawaiian party today-made a lot of new dishes including Asian cole- slaw, Hawaiian chicken topped with crushed pineapple and a few other seasonings, Tropical punch…
My husband keeps hinting that for my 60th birthday he’s taking me to Hawaii. Almost worth getting older just to go to Paradise. He’ll be thrilled that he can get chobani there- he LOVES the Pomegranate!
Seared ahi tuna, yummmm!
when we were in Hawaii we shipped our prepackaged dinners for Shabbos over from a local Restauraunt. we also shipped kosher cheeses and milk products. But Chobani wasn’t available then or we would have had it
I love the fresh and lively flavor of Hawaiian food. The fruits added with the fresh veggies are refreshing.
I lve the fresh and lively flavor of Hawaiian food. The fruits added with the fresh veggies are refreshing.
I grew up on the Big Island of Hawaii and Love Hawaiian food, especially Shoyu Chicken.
I can’t wait to try the chicken…it sounds wonderful!
I was lucky enough to visit Hawaii when I was 18 years old! I loved the gorgeous sunsets over the beach, the tropical feel to the place and the water so crystal clear it was like looking through glass! I yearn to go back there! The shoyu chicken dish looks really interesting and I’m going to try it!
When we visited Oahu a couple of years ago, the Chabad in Honolulu offered amazing kosher meals for pre-order and pick-up so we ate wonderfully. Highly recommended!
Those malasadas look fabulous!
Those masaladas look fabulous!
3 years ago we visit Maui , loved the food , people and Island ! 🙂
love grilled black bean burgers with pineapple slices on top with grilled onions
I just tried guavas in a pastry a couple months ago. It was delish! Hawaii is on my bucket list I sure hope to visit some day. With all the fresh yummy foods and beauty.
I visite Hawaii when I was a child and was in awe of the beauty–I would love to visit it again!
Looks good
We went to Maui for our honey-moon, and one of the best parts of the trip were the delicious freshly squeezed tropical smoothies available on the side of the road! We also visited a plantation where they grew pineapples, avocados, and more!
I was born in Hawaii, but haven’t been back since. I would love to take my daughter there! also, I would like to have a kosher recipe for manapuas.
Beautiful location and delicious food, what more could a person ask for.
Nothing like Hawaiian pineapple flavored ice cream!!!
Never went to Hawaii yet,but love pineapple
I have relatives who live in Hawaii. I would like to visit them someday.
I’ve never been to Hawaii,but I really like Chobani Greek yogurt!
My sister had a friend whose Coast Guard husband was stationed in Hawaii for several years. She always talked about how beautiful it was. I would love to visit Hawaii myself, especially to see the places I’ve learned about on National Geographic, PBS, Travel Channel & Food Network specials. I would also love to attend Jack Johnson’s Kokua Festival; this year’s festival line-up is amazing! Aloha! 🙂
I forgot to add what was so fascinating….LOL…. the fact that these are Hawaiian kosher recipes. I will enjoy trying them, since that is probably as close to Hawaii I’ll ever get!
Fascinating! Thanks so much for sharing!
My fiance lived in Hawaii for 7yrs, I am still dreaming of getting to go there.
Mmmmmmmmm. Give me pineapple.
It’s been over 25 years since I visited Hawaii but I can still taste the Malasadas – thanks for the recipe! I’m going to pin it so I don’t ever lose it.
Thanks for the ideas…this may be the closest I get to hawaii 🙂
When I was lucky enough to travel to Hawaii, I really enjoyed all the tropical fruits at breakfast every morning.
looks great! will try it!
I’ve never been to Hawaii, but there are a lot of discount airlines now that make the trip much less expensive than it used to be.
I haven’t been to Hawaii, but it looks gorgeous
Love Hawaii – especially Maui!
MY HUSBAND WAS STATIONED IN HAWAII & LOVED IT. SOUNDS YUMMY.
When I still lived at home we went to Hawaii every March to escape the Alaskan winters. I still crave the same foods I could never get enough of while we were there — fresh pineapple, macadamia nuts, and pizza with shredded roasted chicken and fresh pineapple bits. Not to mention chewing on a stalk of sugar cane….
love pineapple and all the flavors of Hawaiian cooking
Thank you for the chicken recipe. I love pineapple too but wonder if there are any authentic Hawaiian fish recipes that can be made kosher and easy? I hope to visit Hawaii one day with my husband. Seems so romantic.
Visiting Hawaii is high on my bucket list!
have heard what an amazingly besutiful place all the islands of Hawaii are and would love to make a trip there some day!
Wow! Malasadas and shoyu chicken! Delicious! I’d love the recipes for them! And since you are here in SoCal, too, maybe if you’ve a restaurant, I’ll certainly visit to sample your fare 🙂 Otherwise, every think of having a festival here in SoCal, so that the public can sample all the delicious recipes you have? I’ll certainly attend, if you’ll have that tasting fair/festival 🙂 Thanks 🙂
Hawaiian ice frozen desert hits the spot when its a hot day and you want something cool and refreshing to cool you off on these hot summer days.
I have never been to Hawaii, but it is somewhere I would LOVE to go!
Thanks for the chance to win!
gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com
wow! i’ve never been to hawaii and have not been exposed to hawaiian food. but i love mango. and i love yogurt. hope i win!
I’ve been fortunate to visit the Hawaiian Islands twice, once as a teen and the second with my husband. There isn’t a more relaxing, magical place on earth. Guava and pineapple juice for every meal!
I love coconut bread and most anything that includes pineapple or mango. My favorite Hawaiian food is the meat that is roasted in the ground.
love how you can throw pineapple onto so many dishes and then call them “Hawaiin” 🙂
I’ve never been to Hawaii – would love to go and have some of their food!
Thank you