Search Results for: blog mothers day potluck chinese shrimp and noodle salad

How to Make Memorial Day a Teachable Moment

We buried my beloved grandmother last week. My five-year-old daughter and I along with hundreds of other relatives and friends gathered at Veteran’s Cemetery in Hilo, Hawaii, to pay tribute to an unbelievably remarkable woman whose life will never be forgotten. It had been almost 11 years to the day since I attended a burial at Veteran’s Cemetery. The last time we gathered en masse was to say good-bye to my grandfather. My fiercely proud Japanese-American grandfather, who risked his life to serve the United States in World War II, while some of his family members were forced to reside … Continue reading →

International Chicken Salads

I love the Cheesecake Factory’s Luau Salad (and not just because I was born and raised in Hawaii). The culinary creation is piled high with grilled chicken, mixed greens, cucumbers, red and yellow peppers, green beans, carrots, mouthwatering mango and crisp wontons. It’s topped with macadamia nuts and sesame seeds, and dressed with a to die for vinaigrette. The problem is, it’s not cheap. Sure, the portion size is generous, but I always get a tinge of guilt ordering it because it’s something that I could easily make at home (save for the wontons). I’m the type of person who … Continue reading →

Affordable Asian-Inspired Meals

One of the best parts of going home to Hawaii is that I get to eat as much Asian food as possible. Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Thai restaurants can be found on practically every street corner throughout the state. The food is unbelievably delicious and the portion sizes are generous. Plus, there is nothing quite like dining on authentic Asian food in a tropical setting. Now that I’m back in the Artic… I mean, Wisconsin, I am once again reminded of how much I am missing back home. To console myself I have been making very inexpensive Asian-inspired meals in … Continue reading →

Do Your Kids Freak Out When They See Someone In a Wheelchair?

Here’s proof that every gray cloud has a silver lining: When my beloved (dearly, dearly beloved) grandmother suffered a series of strokes a couple of years ago our entire family was devastated. The woman who had loved us unconditionally all of our lives was suddenly stripped of her dignity. She could no longer walk, talk or move around without the aid of another human being or electronic apparatus. It tore my heart out to see my energetic grandmother confined to a wheelchair, eating pulverized food from a baby spoon, barely able to keep her head upright. Fortunately, with the help … Continue reading →

Last-Minute Mother’s Day Brunch Ideas

The clock is ticking. T-minus 16 hours until Mother’s Day. That doesn’t leave you with a lot of time to prepare a multi-course Mom’s Day feast. However, you still have plenty of time to gather the simple and affordable ingredients needed to whip up the following tasty Mother’s Day brunch recipes: MOM’S DAY MEAT AND CHEESE OMELET Ingredients: 1/4 cup onion, caramelized 3 sausage links, cooked, diced small 3 slices bacon, cooked, chopped 2 tablespoons clarified butter 6 large eggs, scrambled 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese Salt and pepper to taste Directions: In a small saute pan, heat the onion, … Continue reading →

Easy and Affordable Mother’s Day Brunch Recipes

Moms are priceless, but most would balk if their children spent all their savings purchasing them expensive gifts for Mother’s Day. If you are looking for an affordable way to show mom how much you love her, then consider making these simple recipes to include in a memorable Mom’s Day breakfast in bed or family brunch. FANCY EGGS AND HAM Ingredients: 1 package (10-ounce) Pepperidge Farm puff pastry shells 6 tablespoons butter, divided 2 tablespoons flour 2 cups whole milk 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese 1/4 cup heavy cream Dash hot sauce 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard 6 eggs … Continue reading →

Easy Mother’s Day Lunch Recipes

You don’t have to be a gourmet cook to whip up a memorable meal for mom on Mother’s Day. In fact, with the following recipes you don’t have to know your way around the kitchen very well at all. Imagine the look on your mom’s face when she is presented with this three-course lunch made with a healthy dose of love: SPINACH AND PEAR SALAD Ingredients: 1 peeled and diced Bartlett pear 1/4 cup Riesling wine 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon chopped shallot 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1/2 cup vegetable oil 6 cups fresh baby spinach 2 Bartlett … Continue reading →

Super Simple Mother’s Day Salads

Mother’s Day is one of the busiest days of the years for the restaurant industry, and for good reason. Most spouses either think they are not competent enough to produce a proper Mother’s Day spread for the woman in their lives, or they simply don’t want to deal with the work involved in preparing a multi-course meal. If you fall into either category, take note. The following recipes require little to no culinary expertise. What’s more, they yield delicious dishes that can be served at brunch, lunch or dinner. EASY EIGHT LAYER SALAD Ingredients: 2 cups mayonnaise 1 cup sour … Continue reading →

Shrimp-tastic Entrees

While the price of milk and bread has skyrocketed in the past six months, the cost of shrimp has gone down in most places. Experts say it’s simply a matter of supply and demand. I’m allergic to shrimp, though I wish that wasn’t the case, given that my local grocer has reduced the price of the popular seafood so dramatically, it’s hard not to be tempted to buy. I may not be able to gorge on shrimp like others, but growing up in Hawaii I’ve had multiple opportunities to cook them up at family gatherings. The following are some of … Continue reading →

Go Asian Tonight

With the economy tanking my family (like many across the country) has been forced to cut back on the number of meals we eat out. In fact, these days, save for the occasional Happy Meal (which is purchased only in dire situations), we really don’t frequent restaurants at all. However, this doesn’t mean that we’ve completely eliminated restaurant-type foods; it just means that I’ve had to get more creative in the kitchen. Being from Hawaii (and of Japanese descent) it stands to reason that I crave Asian food more than any other type of cuisine. Consequently, I have a collected … Continue reading →