Chocolate-Peppermint Thumbprints

Even though Christmas has been at Costco for the last 5 months and the holiday is now only a mere 12 days away, I'm still waiting to feel "holidayish".  We've hung our lights with care, wrapped presents, printed the annual Christmas letter, and decorated the tree.  But I'm still not feeling it.  Somehow the days seem to blur into one another as I write my lists and check them twice, but they are just days... not "holidayish days".

What better way to get me into the spirit than baking cookies?  Cookies with crushed candy canes - even better!  Chocolate-Peppermint Thumbprints have been on our holiday platters for a couple of years and are always well received.  With only a few ingredients to put together, they don't require an extended amount of time (though they do pack an "extended" amount of calories!).  A mint enhanced chocolate ganach-like filling topped with crushed candy confections provide the ultimate Christmas mood enhancer!

Shopping at our local Henry's the other day I stumbled upon (and had to have!) this canister of E. Guittard Cocoa Rouge, an unsweetened rare red dutch process cocoa which provided a robust, rich chocolate flavor that I haven't had with many other cocoas.  Beautifully dark in color, but with a deep cinnabar hue, this cocoa is not only lovely to look at, but definitely a bonus when it comes to baking.  I recently discovered Gittard chocolates when I made our White Chocolate Pumpkin Pie Cups  for Thanksgiving using the white chocolate chips which melted like a dream.  Heading back to World Market where I had just happened to pick up a couple of packages because it was handy I've been faced with empty white chocolate shelves, leading me to believe that Guittard chocolates are not only popular with me...

Here's hoping that you are feeling "holidayish"!  I'm headed to the kitchen for a cup of coffee and a Chocolate-Peppermint Thumbprint.

Whole Grain Pancakes with Buttermilk, Oatmeal and Banana

Except for the occasional sleepover, my kids are always home for the night.  6th grade, though, brings something called "Sixth Grade Outdoor Education", or 6th Grade Camp.  Not something I experienced growing up in Northern California, it seems to have been the norm here in Southern California with most of my local friends telling me it was one of the most fun weeks of middle school.  

My son left for his camp experience 3 years ago with a bundle of mixed emotions.  He wanted to go, then he didn't want to go, then he wanted to go, etc.  The day of camp arrived and he wasn't too happy to be going, but luckily it was only for 2 nights (budget issues had cut it from four to two).  An empty spot sat in my heart for those two long nights, and I was fairly certain that he was homesick.  And he was... his experience was anything but "fun" and he was extraordinarily happy to be home.  He did however, talk about many of his activities and adventures for hours end, leading me to believe that it was not all bad.

Last week, Liv attended her own 6th grade camp and thankfully had a wholly different week doing what she does every day, she "Lived Life" at camp.  Not only did she have no reservations about attending the camp and being away from home for the now 4 night/5 day camp, but she literally counted the days until she left.  She has never been away from home for more than one night and while she did show a slight reservation about the length of time, she popped out of the car the morning of and was off in a flash.

Somehow seeing her leave so happy made it easier for me... for the first 3 days anyway.  Then I really, really started to miss her.  The house was far quieter, albeit cleanier, my schedule opened up without all the dance driving requirements, and we were all a bit more sedate... boring even.  Life was simply different and all of us noticed an emptiness and our days weren't anywhere near as fun.  Something was surely missing.

Liv had a wonderful week filled with night hikes, rock climbing, all day adventures and really, really bad food.  Apparently the pancakes at breakfast were "edible", but the scrambled eggs (which tasted "powdery") were "disgusting".  The only good part about the Sloppy Joes was the bread, and the pizza had no taste.  Even the ice cream was "just ok".  In essence, she said she lived on "edible pancakes, odd tasting chocolate milk, salad and bread" for most of the week.

Definitely needing to get some decent food into her we immediately got to making one of her favorite meals, pancakes.  My mom-instincts kicked in and I felt a need to load the pancakes with healthy nutrients as we began filling the mixing bowls.  Out of the pantry came whole wheat flour, wheat germ, flax meal, rolled oats and cinnamon all combined with a touch of brown sugar.  Then we opened the fridge and pulled out fresh milk, eggs and buttermilk.  Luckily we even had an over-ripe banana on the counter and we were set!

Hungry eyes watched eagerly as I mixed everything together and set the batter onto the griddle.  All the while, my more grown up than ever girl chatted to me about her camp adventures, never once mentioning being homesick.  As happy as I was that she had such a good time and that my girl is confident enough to go off on her own, I have to admit that my heart was just a touch sad that she didn't seem to have missed me at all.

Her eyes lit up as I placed a plate filled with freshly cooked pancakes in front of her and then filled her favorite little pitcher with syrup.  She hungrily attacked the plate of food and actually groaned with pleasure at the flavors and tastes proclaiming this the "best meal in the world!".  Going back for seconds, she finally began to relax and her eyes grew a bit heavy.

Turning to get started on the dishes I suddenly felt something behind me and then felt my heart begin to melt as my little girl's arms wrapped around my waist.  She rested her head on my chest and said those words that I had been feeling myslef, "Mom, I love you so much...  You can't believe how much I missed you."  With tears in my eyes I admitted how lonely it had been without her and how much we had missed her too.

Living Life to the fullest is a good thing... but it's always nice to come home.  All is now right in my universe.

Beef Stew with Red Wine and Mushrooms

I'm not usually one to plan ahead, but this morning had a busy day in front of me and I actually put a Beef Stew on the stove shortly after breakfast.  Letting it simmer away while I finished up the dishes and other little chores, I got a head start on dinner.  I do have a crock pot, however, I frequently forget to use it - as I did this morning!  But I'm certain that this would be one of those crock pot recipes that would come out perfectly.

Browned beef, sauteed onions and garlic enhanced with a robust red wine and a touch of thyme give this simmering stew a mouthwatering scent that meanders its way throughout the house.  A side of crusty bread to sop up the juices is a nice addition to this one pot chill chaser!

A forgiving recipes that works well with what you have on hand, I have to admit that I have never really measured what I toss in, but the results have always been just fine!

 

Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons

OK... I'll admit it!  I'm still suffering from a bit of the Island Fever.  Thoughts of warm ocean breezes, surfers lining up for the Pipe Master Competition, and smiling waiters not only serving my food but whisking the empty plates away are filling my head.  I'm having difficulty settling back into my regular routine, and I'm really not enjoying endless sinks full of dishes...

Knowing that the dishes weren't going anywhere, I turned my back on them yesterday and quickly whipped up one of our favorite treats, Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons.  Better the day after they are made, these little coconutty mounds are year round treats in our household.  Minimal ingredients and effort have them ready for the oven before it reaches its preheat temp.  About an hour later a quick dip in a few ounces of melted chocolate finishes them off.  

Bursting with coconut and therefore the essence of any tropical location, our Coconut Macaroons just might ease your Island Fever.  In addition they will make a lovely tropical addition to your Holiday Cookie Tray!

Coconut Granola

Air travel, solo, always gives me just a moment of concern in the "who will be sitting next to me?" department.  Not that I have bad luck, on the contrary, nearly every one of my solo trips has provided enjoyable, nice and even downright entertaining seatmates.  The most memorable being the two 60+ year old men flying on Southwest who make it a practice to choose the aisle and window seat and then sort of hand choose someone to take the empty middle seat.  As I was flying standby, I was one of the last to enter the plane and the kind gentlemen waved to me as I was scanning the empty seats.  I gratefully sat down and was subject to a very entertaining couple of hours!  They admitted to their seat choosing practice about half way through the flight saying that they usually tried to wave some young, good looking female between them to help pass the time.  Somewhat flattered that they thought I was young and good looking (I think they exaggerated!), I fully enjoyed their banter back and forth and laughed nearly the entire way.

On my recent trip to Honolulu I was once again lucky in the seatmate department.  Barbara-Ann, a lovely lady from Hilo, and I boarded the plane at the same time and smiled as we sat down together.  Conversation flowed easily throughout the flight and I was very interested to find that she runs a Bed and Breakfast on the Big Island. 

Shipman House Bed and Breakfast Inn , a luxury and historic accomodation, is conveniently situated in Hilo, sitting just over the town on a knoll.  Having her laptop with her, she showed me photos of the gorgeous historic Victorian House that she remembers playing in as a child, incredible plates of fresh tropical fruits that are part of their breakfast and stunning scenes from around the island.  Later that evening I perused Barbara's site and read review after review on Tripadvisor with most of the reviewers gushing about their stay.  After spending such an enjoyable few hours with Barbara and reading about the establishment I know where I will be staying next time I visit the Big Island!

Loving food as I do, I was interested in the breakfast portion of her Bed & Breakfast and from what I saw in the photos, anyone staying there is in for a treat!  Plates laden with seasonal tropical fruits including mango, papaya, apple bananas, and so much more that I can't even remember were served with Portuguese Sweet Bread, her own homemade Macadamia Nut Granola, yogurt, juices and other treats of the day.  Being lactose intolerant, Barbara understands how difficult it is for people with dietary restrictions when they are away from home.  As such, if she is given enough notice she will prepare and serve foods to the best of her ability to meet the restrictions.

Barbra mentioned that her granola recipe is a favorite of most guests and that she is in the process of making it available for purchase.  While I haven't tried it, I can say that the tropical mix sounded extraordinarily tasty.  I will keep my eye on her site for the launch of the product and order some when available so I can report back!

Thinking about Barbara's granola gave the me the inspiration to make my own.  I have a number of recipes that use granola as an ingredient and I'm a fan of a few spoonfuls over yogurt in the afternoon.  Unfortunately, many of the store bought granolas that I find are very high in fat and contain "other" ingredients that sometimes I can't identify.  Homemade suddenly seemed like a good idea!

Perusing the internet for some sort of Coconut Granola I found numerous recipes.  Some with as much as a cup of butter and some with just a mere Tablespoon of oil.  The ingredients varied widely and I chose what sounded good to me.  For my first try, I think it turned out pretty darn good!  Not quite as "coconutty" as I would have liked, but I think I can fix that next time by simply adding a bit more.  My husband felt that the coconut flavor was just fine, so perhaps it's just me still trying to hang onto my island flavors!

All in all, granola is exceedingly easy to make and the ability to use ingredients to suit your tastes makes it a sure bet.  One note on the cooking... know that if you leave it in too long the edges and top will begin to burn!!  (this is me admitting that I found this out first hand!!  =)   )

Oahu & Waikiki... Onolicious!

Waikiki!

Boarding Flight #16 from Honolulu, west-bound home to San Diego, I finally found my Five-0.  The familiar Hawaiian theme song greeted me as an old friend as a flight attendant directed me to my seat.  Smiling as I sat down, I was ready to head for home.

Relaxed in my seat as we crossed the Pacific, I had a chance to review our photos, smiling as I reminisced with myself about our whirlwind 3 days on the island of Oahu while viewing our travels along with the smiling faces of new friends.  More meals than we needed were still fresh in my mind along with gorgeous panoramic views, endless surf and a true feeling of Aloha.

In the few days before our trip my husband and I both emailed friends and scoured the internet for restaurants suiting our tastes.  Ending up with a special meal that is "just OK" is always so disappointing and even more so while on vacation.  As such, we worked hard to find places that would raise the bar and become memorable.  Fellow food bloggers Felice (All That’s Left are the Crumbs) and  Deb (Kahakai Kitchen) gave similar tips and advice and had us on our way to delicious dining.

As a special treat I actually met with Felice at Roy’s in Waikiki on my first evening in town enjoying an amazing meal of Hawaiian style Misoyaki Glazed Butterfish served over carrots and a tasty black rice.  On her recommendation we shared Roy's Melting Hot Chocolate Souffle for dessert.  Gushing just about as much as the souffle itself, we brought out our spoons savoring each and every bite.  The bittersweet “lava” flowed from this decadent dessert melting into the side of vanilla bean ice cream and the taste of raspberry sauce lining the plate.  I’m so thankful that Felice came to join me, she is truly a delight!  Chatting for hours we felt as thought we had long been friends, discovering we have similar tastes and much in common.  I can’t thank her enough for making my first night in Oahu such a memorable one!
 

Hawaiian Style Misoyaki Glazed Butterfish

Roy has five other locations in Hawaii and numerous others around the country - most exciting for me is the location just 20 minutes down the road in La Jolla, CA!  A meal here is well worth a visit if you are given the opportunity.

My husband and I actually returned to Roy’s the following evening, the waiter, remembering me, brought a complimentary appetizer as a thank you for returning.  Not wanting to duplicate my meal with Felice, I chose the Macadamia Crusted Ono served over new potatoes and asparagus.  While it was good, it didn’t make me gush like the Butterfish of the prior evening.  Luckily my husband had ordered the Butterfish and kindly shared with me!  As an appetizer my husband sampled a sushi roll.  Not being much of a sushi fan I only sampled a piece and while I liked it, he truly loved it.  After a day of me gushing, the Melting Hot Chocolate Souffle was again a must have with my husband in full agreement that the decadent delight is indeed “gush-worthy”!

The Farmers Market at the Kapi`olani Community College (KCC) was also a must visit on my short trip.  Having visited (sans camera!) 4 years ago, this market has remained a vivid memory.  Time changes things however, and while the market was still a treat, filled with Hawaiian delights, local produce and an amazing array of tropical flowers, it is now extraordinarily crowded with busses actually dropping hoards of tourists.  As we entered the market a line of Japanese tourists no less than 60 long waited for Fried Green Tomatoes.

Familiar Dole Pineapples fresh from the fields!

Fresh Hawaiian Papaya

Felice had thoughtfully provided me with a printout of attending vendors which I in turn highlighted so as not to miss any of my favorites.  Meandering the rows of treat-filed stalls we enjoyed chatting with vendors as we stocked up on our local treats.  Whole bean Kona coffee was a must along with Macadamia Blossom honey and a sampling of Oahu grown Mac nuts.  The Malie Kai Hawaiian grown chocolate was also high on my purchase list with the dark espresso earning a spot as my favorite!  Turns out the vendor, Nathan, went to La Jolla High, just down the road from our home.

Mary Liles, of Hawaii's Best Ever Nuts & Brittle, had an amazing assortment of nuts, brittles and confections (the Mac Nut Brittle had me reaching for seconds!).  Nut flavors ranged from Spicy Glazed Almonds to Cinnamon flavored walnuts.  In the true feeling of Aloha Mary kindly allowed me samples of each and every flavor, smiling as she described in detail the processes she used to make them.  Truly a highlight of our visit to the market!

Mary Liles of Hawaii's Best Ever Nuts and Brittles with me!

Just around the corner from Mary's tropical treats we found a table laden with "spoonalicious" Hawaiian Fudge Sauces.  Once again the vendor was already scooping out a sample as I commented on the flavors.  The "plain" original had me swooning, but the Kona coffee fudge sauce put me over the top!  I can only imagine how wonderful this will be atop a frosty bowl of ice cream and topped with Mary's Macadamia Nut Brittle!

Hawaiian Fudge Sauces - Kona Coffee was my favorite!

Working up at appetite we found a table in the middle of the market with less of a line and chose the plate of garlic shrimp over rice with a side salad.  With the shrimp cooked to perfection smothered in a rich garlic/herb sauce my husband and I found a grassy place to sit.  I smiled as an Asian woman and her friend sat a few feet away from us with the same plate.  They hesitantly opened the plate, both took a shrimp and tasted.  Seconds later both of their eyes grew wide and they literally squealed in delight as they reached for more.  While we didn't squeal, we fully enjoyed our shrimp breakfast with a side of organic blueberry acai juice topped off with a couple of strawberry
scones.

Breakfast plates - our onolicious Garlic Shrimp choice is 3rd from the right!

Sufficiently stuffed and loaded down with treats we made our way back to our little rental car and headed to Pearl City!  In all his time in Honolulu, my husband had never visited the Arizona Memorial.  Without knowing it, we chose the perfect time to visit, in between school breaks and before the holiday rush we had no crowds, but were lucky enough to meet a couple of survivors who were in town for the December 7th memorials.  

Chatting with Alan from Pittsburgh, I literally laughed out loud as he emphatically declared that he "greatly dislikes" the Steelers and far prefers to watch Peyton Manning and the Colts.  However, listening to him reminisce about some of his experiences during the war had all in ear shot positively entranced.

What an honor to meet this man and to hear his stories first hand.

Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor

Part of the USS Arizona

Making our way to the Memorial was a moving experience.  Parts of the sunken ship are visible from the surface, and simply knowing the story of Pearl Harbor and standing over the ship made me somewhat emotional.  The Memorial is beautiful, with a wall listing those who perished.  Leis had been draped over the rails providing a lovely tribute.

Tickets to view the memorial are free, and you may purchase an audio tour for a small fee.  While we had no trouble getting our tickets (the boat left a mere 15 minutes after our arrival) I have heard that the wait can be hours long with no more tickets to be had after 11 AM.  We were advised to arrive early in the morning if traveling during busy seasons.  Also be aware that you may not carry anything other than a camera, cell phone or water into the Memorial area, however a bag check is available for $3.

Also in the Memorial area are tours to see the USS Missouri (the last battleship to be decommissioned), the Pacific Aviation Museum and the USS Bowfin submarine.  Not having unlimited time we chose the Missouri for our tour.  Walking the wood plank decks and then descending into the ship we got a peek at what life must have been like for those on the Mighty Mo.  Display cases can be seen throughout the ship with articles donated from past sailors.  Once again, an amazing experience.

The Mighty Mo (USS Missouri)

Signatures on the Instrument of Surrender

Working up an appetite we headed back across the island to one of our favorite restaurants, the Kona Brewing Company.  Some of you may have enjoyed a Longboard Lager or Firerock Pale Ale, but we were treated to a few stellar seasonal brews only available in the islands.  Ordering a sampler we particularly enjoyed a Pipeline Porter which is actually enhanced with 100% pure Kona Coffee.  I can just imagine the chili that I would make with this exceptionally rich and flavorful choice!  Our second favorite was a Ginger infused brew made with Big Island grown ginger root.  Not sure I would like this one I was pleasantly surprised with the warm, somewhat spicy flavors that had me quickly ordering a second!

Kona Brewing Co. sampler - from left to right:  Pipeline Porter, Wailua Wheat, Lavaman Red ale, Holiday Ginger Beer

Along with our samplers we enjoyed a roasted garlic pupu (appetizer) served with hot, fresh bread and a gorgonzola cheese dip.  Absolutely divine!!  The Strawberry Spinach Salad (which I totally forgot to photograph!) is the dish that had me returning to this restaurant.  Having had my first taste 4 years ago on the Big Island, I have long since yearned for another.  Spinach tossed with fresh strawberries and topped with a healthy dose of Gorgonzola, sliced Ewa Onions, chopped Macadamias and served with a side of a Strawberry Vinaigrette combines to provide one wonderful salad.  

Pizza, though, is the main fare at the Kona Brewing Company.  Selections are so wide that it is simply difficult to choose!  Luckily our server told us we could order 1/2 and 1/2.  With my husband choosing the Pepperoni Ali'I and the Pahoehoe Spicy Chicken (house-made ranch dressing base, whole milk mozzarella, diced chicken breast tossed in Frank’s RedHot sauce and Ewa onions. Topped with crumbled blue cheese and finished with a drizzle of Frank’s RedHot sauce) and I ordering the BBQ Chicken and the Kohala (garlic infused olive oil base, mozzarella, gorgonzola, roasted red peppers, fresh spinach, fresh garlic, parmesan sausage, macadamia nuts) we sampled 4 different pizzas!  The Kohala was our agreed upon resounding favorite.

Kona Brewing Company BBQ Chicken and Kohala

Staying at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach, we enjoyed a final breakfast at the Ocean House, located beachfront in the hotel.  Daniel, our delightful server, expertly reviewed the menu items and explained an exceptional special of Prime Rib Hash topped with eggs and fried onions.  Taking him up on his recommendation my husband smiled with pleasure at his first bite and had no trouble cleaning his plate.  My granola with fruit was an exceptional last meal, with Daniel kindly bringing me a slice of my beloved papaya in addition to the bananas, berries, melons and exotic Big Island grown Poha Berries.  The staff at this restaurant were a true delight, very attentive and exceptionally friendly.  Beachfront, the ocean breezes kept us pleasantly cool while we enjoyed the view of early morning surfers enjoying the waves of Waikiki beach.  Definitely worth a stop if you are in the area!

Prime Rib Hash topped with fried onions and eggs of your choice

Granola topped with fresh fruit

In our travels to all of the islands we highly recommend what we lovingly call the "Blue Bible".  Oahu Revealed was the volume we used this trip, but we have also used the volumes for the Big Island and find the author's reviews to be about 95% spot on!  Clear, easy to follow directions along with maps and sections on hotels, dining, attractions, beaches etc are invaluable.

Hawaii will always have a special place in our hearts... from the beaches to the soaring cliffs, and the reefs and the crashing waves, we love it all. Hopefully some of these reviews will be of help to those planning a trip to the island of Oahu and to Waikiki.  My prior post also highlights North Shore beaches as well as Haleiwa and Kailua with Matsumoto's colorful shave ice and Boots and Kimo's amazing Banana Pancakes with their secret Macamamia sauce.

May your visit to the island be filled with peace and Aloha!

Aloha!

Looking for Five-0!

It all started yesterday, as I boarded Hawaiian Flight #15 bound for Honolulu...

4 years have passed since I last boarded this flight, but not much has changed over time.  A few bumps over the Pacific, but otherwise an uneventful flight had me reaching my hotel in Waikiki a mere 9 hours after pulling out of my driveway.  A little chilly (I know... 72 isn't really chilly!), but it is December after all, so no worries!  Dinner was with Felice, from All That's Left are the Crumbs, and it was fantastic.  Even though we had never met in person before I felt as though we had been friends for years.  More on our amazing dinner at Roy's in the next post!

My dear husband flew himself over in his UPS 767 twelve hours after I arrived and we had a date in the lobby at 8 AM, Hawaiian time.  Picking up our car we began the search for Danno... or Five-0.  (Can I just admit that I might have a slight crush on the Hawaii Five-0 Danno charachter??!!)

Off and running we drove our "luxury" rental to Boots & Kimo's in Kailua for an amazing breakfast of omelettes and Banana Pancakes with their signature Macadamia Nut topping.  A little on the sweet side, but delicious none the less, the creamy Mac Nut topping was a special treat and one that we both truly enjoyed.  I love that most breakfasts in Hawaii are served with a side of perfectly cooked sticky rice - something that I just haven't been able to master at home.  Unfortunately, Danno was not at Boots & Kimo's...

Banana Macadamia Nut Pancakes with Macadamia Nut Sauce!  MMMMM!

On our way to the surf spots on the North Shore we drove feet away from the beach, viewing picturesque scenery for much of the way.  In all my visits to Oahu and the North Shore I've never seen it "pounding", and I didn't see it again today.  The waves at Kammies and Sunset recorded at 2-3 feet with Pipelines checking in at about 4'.  Chatting with a few extraordinarily friendly locals at Sunset we learned that yesterday had the surf higher, at about 5 feet, providing "An awesome day, brah!".  But, even with the smaller surf plenty of surfers were out there riding the waves and fully enjoying this windy but beautiful Hawaiian day.  Danno wasn't one of them...

Waimea Bay, Oahu

Moving on to Hali'iwa for some souvenir shopping required a stop at the world famous Matsumoto's Shave Ice for a frosty treat.  The line was out the door and my husband fully enjoyed his Tangerine Watermelon Hawaiian Ice. (Danno was not taking a shave ice break today.)  My husband and I wandered through the sleepy little town picking up a few surf souvenirs for my surf minded 14 year old at home and then returned to the rental for our trip back to the hotel.  Passing fields of sugar cane and pineapple our trip to the H1 went quickly.

Currently I'm letting my husband catch a few "zzzzz's" (He did fly nearly all night and then toured me around the island all day) while I sit by the pool enjoying my Kona Brewing Company Pale Ale.  Tonight he and I are off to Roy's for a much needed romantic dinner for two.  Felice and Deb (Kahakai Kitchen) have filled me in on the top pics on the menu and I'm truly looking forward to spending the evening with my guy.... no kids, no dogs, no stresses of home, and no Danno.  Tonight is just me and my guy in Hawaii!

Aloha!