Howard's youngest brother is visiting from Samoa. The last time we saw him was at Howard's funeral that was 22 years ago. I am excited to see him at a family Potluck tonight.
To go with it I am making "Funeral Potatoes" Or as we called them at BYU, Potatoes Supreme.
This is a really simple dish that can be made in a hurry. We will have about 100 at the party tonight, that is small for the Lua family, so I will triple the recipe.
3 bags shredded frozen hashbrowns
1 cup diced green onions
3 pts. sour cream
1 family size + 1 10 oz can of Cream soup. I am using Mushroom soup but Cream of Chicken or Cream of Celery are just as good
1 # of cheddar cheese grated. I use medium but Sharp is good too.
1. Put thawed potatoes in a baking pan (large foil roasting pan)
2. Mix soup, sour cream, onions and cheese together in a bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. I find there is enough salt in the soup but do add pepper. It is up to you.
3. Pour soup mix over potatoes and mix well.
You can reserve some of the cheese and sprinkle over the top or can top with any variety of crunchy toppings at this point. I have had it with Ritz crumbs, Cornflakes, Panko, buttered breadcrumbs, potato chips or saltines.
You bake the casserole at 350 until hot and bubbly all the way through. about 30 minutes for a 9x13 pan and a little longer for the size pan I am making
The foods you will probably see at a Hawaiian pot luck are:
Definitely Sticky Rice (known in our family as the only true rice)
Teriyaki Chicken Haupia Cake
Potato Salad and/or Macaroni Salad Tutu Cake
Green Salad Chantilly Cake
Kalua style Pork Guava or Banana Cake
Fried Chicken Cookies or Brownies
Teriyaki burgers Coco Puffs
Samoan Chop Suey
Some type of Stir Fry
Ham
Chicken Katsu
Fried Won ton
One thing is certain. Everything will be delicious because all of us can cook.
I will let you know what turns up tomorrow. I am excited to meet my Samoan Sister in law for the first time. They have been married for around 25 years but we were never in the same place at the same time before.
Well the party was great and it was so nice to see everyone and meet my niece and 2 nephews for the first time. I left for Texas right after the party to meet my newest granddaughter and since then have been so busy I didn't get anything written. This week my daughter gave birth to twin boys and so our family grows. Today I will begin my journey in the blog world for real with the beginning of my Recipe Blog.
Before I do that I have to pass on the recipe for Lorenzo's Chicken. We made it in Texas and my granddaughter Masha could not get enough of it.
5# boneless skinless Chicken Thighs
1 cup aloha soy sauce
1 cup sugar
1T ginger. (we bought crushed ginger in a tube and it was so easy)
1/4 cup sliced green onions
Marinate Chicken overnight then cook on a BBQ grill. It is really Yummy.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
When Evil Strikes
My life seems so unimportant in the aftermath of a terrible tragedy. Friday at a midnight movie premier a young man consumed with evil and hatred opened fire on a theater full of people who were just out enjoying themselves. He killed 12 as they ran for their lives. Including a little 6 year old girl. I look at my three 6 year old grandchildren and try to imagine what it would do to me if their little lives were snuffed out at this age. It is incomprehensible to me. They are trusting and funny and loving. They are without guile.
I know that our Father in Heaven welcomed that perfect little girl home to his arms and that she is being loved and cared for by those in her family who have gone before. The wait to be reunited with her parents will be short for her but long and painful for them. The rest of us have been left pondering the questions left. Why there, why at all, How could it have been prevented?
We cannot stop evil no matter what we do. It is there lurking in the shadows, waiting to reach out and grab the unsuspecting. They call for better gun control. That will just mean that only those bent on doing Satan's business will be able to get guns and leave the rest of us woefully unprotected. They ask if having someone armed in the theater could have saved lives. An expert said that the shooter dressed in body armor could have only been taken out by an expert sniper and then it would have been difficult for them.
All we can do is live our lives to the fullest and be prepared by knowing we are leaving a legacy of love and goodness behind us. If my grandchildren and children were to read this I want them to know that though I do not want to leave them for several more years, I know that I will have lived a life that is exemplary for them. I have worked hard, loved well, and treated all with kindness. I have lived with no prejudice for race, creed or color and have never hated anyone. I have not been perfect but have striven to always be better than I was.
I pray for the families who lost their loved ones and hope that they will find comfort in the lives their dear ones lived.
I know that our Father in Heaven welcomed that perfect little girl home to his arms and that she is being loved and cared for by those in her family who have gone before. The wait to be reunited with her parents will be short for her but long and painful for them. The rest of us have been left pondering the questions left. Why there, why at all, How could it have been prevented?
We cannot stop evil no matter what we do. It is there lurking in the shadows, waiting to reach out and grab the unsuspecting. They call for better gun control. That will just mean that only those bent on doing Satan's business will be able to get guns and leave the rest of us woefully unprotected. They ask if having someone armed in the theater could have saved lives. An expert said that the shooter dressed in body armor could have only been taken out by an expert sniper and then it would have been difficult for them.
All we can do is live our lives to the fullest and be prepared by knowing we are leaving a legacy of love and goodness behind us. If my grandchildren and children were to read this I want them to know that though I do not want to leave them for several more years, I know that I will have lived a life that is exemplary for them. I have worked hard, loved well, and treated all with kindness. I have lived with no prejudice for race, creed or color and have never hated anyone. I have not been perfect but have striven to always be better than I was.
I pray for the families who lost their loved ones and hope that they will find comfort in the lives their dear ones lived.
Friday, July 6, 2012
We had a great 4th of July. We celebrated Phoenix's 6th birthday and had a BBQ. Son in Law Renzo made his special chicken. He won't share the recipe but I think I could replicate it. He uses boneless chicken thighs and marinates it in Soy Sauce (Aloha brand the only true soy sauce) sugar, ginger, green onions. This time he added about 1/2 cup of honey to it. It was really delicious. We also had watermelon, Malia's potato salad with crab - she made a small bowl for me because I don't eat crab. I added onion and relish to mine, rice, li hing mui cantaloupe, and birthday cake with neapolitan Ice cream. (the kids call it Napolean). I would have added some sort of vegetable to it but this was their party.
My hanai son Metua Ngarupe and his family are in the process of moving here and they came over for and ate with us. the younger ones swam in our above ground pool. I got to see and hold Metua's month old granddaughter, Jane for the first time. She is of course adorable. He lost his wife to cancer a year ago and it has been difficult for him and the 4 boys. The youngest is only 15. I hope things work out for them to live here. I think it would be good to get Will out of the California schools and into one that is safe. Metua's cousin Mary helped him drive over. I had met her at a few parties in the past but never really had time to talk as their were large groups around. I know she has been a great help to him. Family is so important. Nobody really cares or helps like they do.
The kids did fireworks outside after dark and Phoenix was beside himself with joy. Of course he is too young to do anything but pop pops or sparklers but he does love watching his dad and older brother set them off.
They were extra careful this year because it has been so dry. have had up to 9 fires going on around the state and 6 are still a threat. Many homes have been lost this summer. I think more than in past years. We finally got some rain last night.
My hanai son Metua Ngarupe and his family are in the process of moving here and they came over for and ate with us. the younger ones swam in our above ground pool. I got to see and hold Metua's month old granddaughter, Jane for the first time. She is of course adorable. He lost his wife to cancer a year ago and it has been difficult for him and the 4 boys. The youngest is only 15. I hope things work out for them to live here. I think it would be good to get Will out of the California schools and into one that is safe. Metua's cousin Mary helped him drive over. I had met her at a few parties in the past but never really had time to talk as their were large groups around. I know she has been a great help to him. Family is so important. Nobody really cares or helps like they do.
The kids did fireworks outside after dark and Phoenix was beside himself with joy. Of course he is too young to do anything but pop pops or sparklers but he does love watching his dad and older brother set them off.
They were extra careful this year because it has been so dry. have had up to 9 fires going on around the state and 6 are still a threat. Many homes have been lost this summer. I think more than in past years. We finally got some rain last night.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Introduction
I have long wanted to start a blog both for me and my mo'opuna.(grandchildren) I was born in Nebraska but married a wonderful Hawaiian who converted my heart to the culture of Hawaii.
Though I was educated to be a teacher I soon discovered that profession was not for me and eventually found my calling in the kitchens of universities. There I worked for 30 years doing thing from cooking to managing. I retired recently from a career that was fun and satisfying. Because of this love affair with food I hope to pass on some of my expertise to the first love of my life FAMILY.
I am the mother of 4 children and 8 hanai children. (unofficially adopted children of my Heart) I will have 17 grandchildren soon we are anxiously awaiting the birth of twin boys. Steeler and Stryker. ( as you can see my daughter and husband are big sports fans). My h
anai children have provided me with 36 grandchildren and so far 14 great grandchildren. This my sound like a lot but my Mother-in-Law has over 300 descendants so far from her 14 children.
In 1971 I made the best decision of my life. I left my home in Arizona and married Howard Keawe Lua. I was the only daughter among the 3 children of a warehouse worker/truck driver from Phoenix. Howard was the third of 14 children of a firefighter and a cook\waitress from Laie, Hawaii. We met at a wedding in Arizona. When I saw him walk out of the Mesa Arizona Temple of the Church of Latter Day Saints I was hooked. With his regal bearing and beautiful smile I knew hat this was going to be my husband. Just over a year later we were married in the Laie Hawaii Temple. Sadly, my husband, sweetheart and best friend passed away at the young age of 48. However my love and loyalty to him has never waivered.
Howard and Toni in 1972 with eldest son Jeremey.
Well this is the important part of my story. From now on I will post mostly recipes that have worked even though some of my picky family members have not eaten much of them.
Though I was educated to be a teacher I soon discovered that profession was not for me and eventually found my calling in the kitchens of universities. There I worked for 30 years doing thing from cooking to managing. I retired recently from a career that was fun and satisfying. Because of this love affair with food I hope to pass on some of my expertise to the first love of my life FAMILY.
I am the mother of 4 children and 8 hanai children. (unofficially adopted children of my Heart) I will have 17 grandchildren soon we are anxiously awaiting the birth of twin boys. Steeler and Stryker. ( as you can see my daughter and husband are big sports fans). My h
anai children have provided me with 36 grandchildren and so far 14 great grandchildren. This my sound like a lot but my Mother-in-Law has over 300 descendants so far from her 14 children.
In 1971 I made the best decision of my life. I left my home in Arizona and married Howard Keawe Lua. I was the only daughter among the 3 children of a warehouse worker/truck driver from Phoenix. Howard was the third of 14 children of a firefighter and a cook\waitress from Laie, Hawaii. We met at a wedding in Arizona. When I saw him walk out of the Mesa Arizona Temple of the Church of Latter Day Saints I was hooked. With his regal bearing and beautiful smile I knew hat this was going to be my husband. Just over a year later we were married in the Laie Hawaii Temple. Sadly, my husband, sweetheart and best friend passed away at the young age of 48. However my love and loyalty to him has never waivered.
Howard and Toni in 1972 with eldest son Jeremey.
Well this is the important part of my story. From now on I will post mostly recipes that have worked even though some of my picky family members have not eaten much of them.
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