I just got back from an AMAZING trip to the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii is always a prime destination for a little R & R, but this time I was visiting to learn more about Polynesian Culture and it's cuisine's history. I was very surprised with what I learned.
When I think of Polynesian cuisine, I think of my favorite tropical foods: fish, luau- style roast pig, coconut and tropical fruits. But... did you know that some of these foods are not indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands?
Before the arrival of humans in ancient Hawaii (around 300 A.D.) the Hawaiian Islands, one of the most isolated groups of islands in the world, contained nothing edible on the land. Polynesian settlers found no indigenous animals except for bats, lizards and birds- which were pretty much inedible. There were absolutely no sources of carbohydrates, and only a few native fruits in hard-to-reach parts of the forests. So they brought back with them 27 or so edible plants (including the very important taro and sweet potato), as well as poultry and pigs. Fishing also became popular, and included all sorts of fish, shellfish, sea urchins and turtles.
Then, in 1778, English explorer Captain James Cook "discovered" Hawaii. The British brought over cows, horses, goats, and a bewildering number of plants. Hawaii was no longer a secret to the world, and many immigrants from countries such as China, Japan, Korea, Puerto Rico, Portugal and the Philippines came to the islands to work on the sugar cane plantations. Each of these groups demanded their own kinds of foods on the plantations, thus adding to the diversity of the cuisine in Hawaii.
In modern Hawaiian cuisine, chefs are very dedicated to sustainable cooking practices. The use of local produce, fish and meat is found is most fine dining establishments. Fusion cooking is common, which integrates various ethnic foods with more common Hawaiian foods such as fish and tropical fruits.
Tropical flavors might be my absolute favorite flavors in the world, so my Polynesian menu is totally awesome! It starts with a cocktail that I had at a Luau (quite possibly the best cocktail that I have ever tried). The bartender described it as being similar to a Long Island Iced Tea, only instead of cola you use pineapple juice, and instead of using rum, you use coconut rum. It was divine. He asked me to come up with a name for it, so I just called it a Waikiki Iced Tea! That's pretty much what it was, after all... Next, I made my main course, which was macadamia and coconut crusted mahi-mahi with a pineapple salsa topping, served over baby mixed greens tossed in a homemade guava vinaigrette. Mahi-Mahi is a common fish in the Hawaiian waters, and is absolutely delicious. The pineapple salsa offers sweet heat, which compliments the mild fish very well. Pineapple is one of my favorite flavors, and I really wanted to visit a pineapple plantation during my trip (which I did, and it was so interesting! I had no idea pineapples grew in bushes... see photo above...) So I had to incorporate pineapple in my menu! The guava vinaigrette is very easy to make and uses guava nectar instead of fresh guava (It is hard to find guava back here in the States, but every grocery store carries guava nectar in the juice aisle). Rice is popular in Hawaii because of the Asian influences, so I served rice on the side, only I made mine using coconut milk instead of water, to give it the island fusion flare. Finally for dessert, I just had to make a Hawaiian tourist classic: chocolate covered macadamia nuts! Only I made mine using dark, milk, and white chocolates to give it an interesting and colorful twist.
Hawaii might be part of the U.S.A., but it is considered a part of Polynesia as well, giving it the feel of a far away, exotic land. It really is paradise. Since we've returned from our trip, I have made my Polynesian menu on nice evenings outside with candles burning and luau music playing, and it takes me back instantly! This is a great menu for entertaining in the summer months. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Mahalo and Aloha!
Photo by Sommer Clary: Pineapple bushes at the Dole Plantation, Oahu, HI
Links to my recipes:
Waikiki Iced Tea
Macadamia and Coconut Crusted Mahi-Mahi with Pineapple Salsa
Guava Vinaigrette
Coconut Rice
Triple Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts
