Chocolate PB Banana Wontons

 

 

Ugh...I'm so terrible at taking photos while cooking. But these are pretty darn yummy! Just use the ingredients or similar items you have at home. Sub the PB for Nutella if you like!

Banana
Chocolate Chips
Peanut Butter
Wonton Wrapers
Oil for frying

Optional: Cinnamon Sugar

Using a fork, smash the banana into pieces. Then place the banana, 3 chocolate chips, and a drizzle of PB at the center of the wonton wrap. You want to position the wonton square to resemble a diamond.
Fold in half and seal the edges with water. Should now resemble a triangle.

Fry each on medium heat in hot oil. Be sure to monitor these, 'cause they fry fast! Roll these in cinnamon sugar if you want and serve hot with your favorite ice cream. These are sure to be a hit!

 

Pork chops with Rosemary Apple Compote

There are days when I crave "man food". You know...the type of meal filled with carbs and tons of protein. It's the meal that sticks and leaves you satisfied and bloated all at the same time. I threw together this last minute meal since I had all these ingredients at home.

Ingredients:

2         Pork Chops (your choice)
           Salt/Pepper/Paprika

Simply season the chops on both sides and give each chop a quick sear in your sautee pan. A little olive oil on medium-high heat should do the trick; roughly a minute on each side. You want to create a nice crust on each chop. Cook time depends on chop thickness. Finish in the oven on 375 degrees for 6-10 minutes. During this time, you can cook your compote.

Apple Compote:

2             Apples (I used Gala Apples)
1/4 c       Orange Juice
1/4 c       Water
1/4 c       Dark Brown Sugar (Brown is fine, too)
1 T         Lemon Juice
1/2 T      Rosemary (I used dried)
1/8 t        Nutmeg (Dry is fine)
               Salt to taste


In a saucepot on medium-high heat, add chopped apples and all ingredients (not including salt). Simmer over medium heat until the apples are tender and the juices are thickened to a thin syrup, 10 to 12 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt. Serve compote directly over chops with fresh mashed potatoes. Enjoy!

$2 per serving

 

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Five Ways to Spend July 4th with a "BOB"

5. Finish your "to do" list

Photo by: Telegraph UK

Does the lawn need to be mowed? Has the car been washed? Been meaning to clear out your closet? Today is the perfect time to do it! It may not be a fun list of things to do, but it sure feels great to check off a few things from your already busy schedule. Time well spent is always rewarding. I personally started clearing out my old clothes today and plan to donate them to a local Hawaii charity.

4. Shop 'til you drop

Tip: Shop today only if you can afford it

Tons of sales are happening in-stores and online! This is a great time to get deals on things you might need for your home, for work, or for the kids. Well, furry kids in my case. Haha! I scored new discounted toys and clearance rack harnesses from PetCo in Hawaii Kai today. I try my best to plan purchases around holiday sales or when shops have special offers. It helps me get the most out of my money on things I always need.

Check out these places for sales or shopping passes:

Ala Moana Centerr

Pearlridge Center 

Kahala Mall
Windward Mall
Ward Centers

Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center

Kukui Grove Center 

Queen Ka'ahumanu Center

Maui Mall

Keauhou Shopping Center

Prince Kuhio Plaza Mall

3. Get out and play

Luck we live in Hawai`i

Hey, you...Take a hike! I mean that in the nicest way possible. Head to the beach and surf, set up the back yard for a kick ball tourney, or just hit the gym! The holidays are always about indulging in food and drink, but how about an endorphin binge instead? "I wish I didn't exercise today," said NO ONE EVER!

2. Plan a potluck party

Create and easy and inexpensive menu to serve

Round up the family and neighbors and ask everyone to make something to share. Encourage everyone to bring simple dishes that don't require too much money or work. Hamburgers and 'dogs are affordable in bulk at wholesale stores, but don't limit yourself to just "American" food. Consider making Vietnamese summer rolls, caprese bruschetta, or a vegetable platter with hummus. They might be considered non-traditional July Fourth dishes, but they're simple to assemble and require little to no cooking. WooHoo!

1. Find a free firework show

View from Ala Moana Center.
Photo by: latimes.com

What would July 4th be without fireworks? Find a free show in your neighborhood, bring a blanket, and pack a simple and affordable picnic dinner. Consider carpooling, walking, or biking to the event since parking will likely be limited and traffic heavy in some areas.Special thanks to KHON 2 News for providing the list of firework shows across the state.

Oahu Firework Shows:

July 4 Celebration
Turtle Bay Stables
Fireworks around 8 p.m.

Kailua Fourth of July 2013
Kailua Beach Park
Fireworks around 8 p.m.

Independence Day Maunalua Bay Festival
Maunalua Bay (East Oahu)
Fireworks around 8 p.m.

Ala Moana Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular
Magic Island, Ala Moana Beach Park
Fireworks around 8:30 pm

42nd Annual Fourth of July Spectacular
Weyand Field, Schofield Barracks
Fireworks around 8:30 p.m.
* Only Department of Defense ID cardholders: military members, their families, military retirees, DoD civilian employees, and their authorized guests

Kauai-Maui-Hawaii Island Firework Shows: 

Kauai

The 24th Annual Concert in the Sky in Lihue
Event from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Vidinha Soccer Field in Lihue

Kekaha Community 4th of July Celebration
Kekaha “Faye” Ballpark
Fireworks around 9:15 p.m.

Maui

Lahaina July 4 Fireworks Show
Front Street in Lahaina
Fireworks around 8 p.m.

Hawaii Island

2013 Hilo Bay Blast
Hilo Bay
Fireworks around 8 p.m.

Kailua-Kona Independence Day Parade & Fireworks
Kailua Bay
Fireworks around 8 p.m.

Family Fourth of July
Waikoloa Bowl
Fireworks around 8 p.m.

Be safe. Have fun. Keep it affordable!

XX

Blueberry Cream Cheese Scones

Have you ever been to Diamond Head Market & Grill in Honolulu? Well, they have a bakery that makes ah-mazing scones! I spent some time taking my favorite elements of the scones soft texture and fresh ingredients and created an easy recipe. My version isn't exactly like theirs, but my friends say it comes pretty close. I decided to whip up a batch today as party favors for a luncheon for a fabulous community leader and Hawaii native, Patricia Fae Ho. Shhh...it's a surprise lunch to celebrate her position as the new AAUW National President! I swear, the coolest people come from Hawaii. Be proud to be from here and share the aloha spirit...but make these scones first. Lol. Pre-heat your oven to 425 degrees and bake for 15 minutes or until slightly brown at the edges. Makes 9 to 10 scones.

What you need:

• 4 c.              all-purpose flour
• 2 T.              baking powder
• 6 T.              sugar
• 1 t.               salt
• 12 T.            unsalted butter; chilled, cubed
• 3/4 c.           fresh blueberries, rinsed 
• 1 c.              2% milk or whole milk
• 4 oz.            cream cheese

Ingredients: Fresh blueberries, butter, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cream cheese , milk

Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl, then add cubed butter. Use your hands to incorporate the
butter into the flour until it reaches a crumb like texture 

Toss the blueberries in the crumb like flour until fully coated

Add the milk a half cup at a time and mix the dry and wet ingredients with your hands 

Create tennis ball-ish mounds of dough and flour your work surface if needed 

Cube your cream cheese and create a small well in the dough to add
the cheese. Heck, put it wherever you want! Keep in mind the exposed cheese will brown and harden.
Avoid rolling the dough and try your best to keep it in it's natural look to provide more crispy craters while it bakes!

Press the balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and sprinkle extra sugar
on each piece before baking at 425 degrees

Keep an eye on these babies, 'cause they brown up fast! When done, remove gently from the
baking sheet and place on a cooling rack. Let 'em chill for a few minutes and serve hot with honey drizzle
or your favorite sugar glaze (1 cup powdered sugar, 1/8 cup milk, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract; wisk and slightly heat in the microwave for easy pouring)

Tuna-cado pita crunch

Quick lunch for one that packs protein and good fats. I'm not a health nut, but I like good and easy eats. All you need is one can of tuna, half a good size avocado, and black pepper.

Mix one can of tuna in water (drained), half freshly chopped avocado, black pepper.

Toast your pita bread and fill with tuna-cado. I like to add sprouts, tomatoes, or other
fresh veggies I get from the farmers market. Today I felt naughty and added potato kettle chips and tabasco!
(This is a half serving pictured here)


Try not to over mix your tuna-cado so you can have nice chunks of the green stuff in every bite. Get fancy and add curry powder or red chilli flakes if you want. Make it your own and tell me about it!

Cost: $1.50 per serving

XX 

Breakfast Pasta (Pasta Carbonara)

My house is never ever without bacon and eggs...ever! My family loves to eat bacon and eggs all the time. I often buy bacon in bulk at wholesale stores. Bacon is really affordable to cook with adding tons of flavor  and minimal meat to any dish.

I decided to make what we call "breakfast pasta" or Pasta Carbonara. I discovered that Tyler Florence has a great recipe online, AFTER I made this pasta. I just make up my own technique with whatever ingredients I have at home. To be honest, most of my meals are made up of whatever's available. Haha! I prefer this dish with spaghetti, but we had none. I hope you try this out. It's hearty and feeds four adults.

What you need:

• 1 box              Pasta (spaghetti is best)
• 1                    Onion (chopped)
• 2                    Garlic cloves (chopped)
• 1 c.                Shreaded/Grated Parmesan
• 3/4                 Green peas (frozen is fine)
• 8 slices           Bacon
• 2                    Large egg yolks
• 1 T.               Olive oil 
• 1 t.                 Black pepper and salt 

Ingredients: Onion, garlic, grated parmesan  cheese, frozen peas, pasta, bacon, eggs.

Chop the onions and two cloves of garlic.

Chop bacon. Separate two egg yolks from whites; for sauce.

Pan fry chopped bacon until slightly crisp over medium heat, then add garlic and onion;
onions should become slightly translucent and will cook in the bacon fat. When translucent, lower the heat of the pan.

Pasta should be cooked same time as the bacon and onions. Drain pasta, toss with olive oil and set on side for a minute.
Be sure to reserve 1/4 cup of warm (not hot) pasta water which will be used to beat with only the egg yolks.
Add pasta to the bacon pan, then the egg mixture to the pasta in the pan.
Toss with 1 cup parmesan cheese, then toss with black pepper and salt to your taste. Add green peas which should have been prepared in the microwave.

Serve immediate and offer more parmesan for your guests to add. Enjoy!

Cost: $1.25 per serving.

XX

OOTD: Mint Condition



When everything else is complicated, make your wardrobe simple. I went with mint, cream, and black for today's OOTD (Outfit of the Day).

Shorts: $15, Forever 21 | Boots: $15, Jeans Warehouse | Lace Top: $13, Jeans Warehouse | Necklace: $6, PacSun

 

 

xx

Noah and Allie go to PAM



The Pacific Aviation Museum (Pearl Harbor), held their "Wine Under the Wings" museum fundraiser in April. My date surprised me with tickets to the event and I was so excited to attend and thought I'd bring my 1940s inspired looks to the festivities. Everyday is a photo op in my world! With only a few hours to plan, I decided to pull inspiration from the actors in the Nicholas Sparks novel/movie, "The Notebook": Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling.

Left: Me  |  Right: McAdams

Rachel McAdams is such a timeless beauty in my opinion and I wanted to take a few details from her character, Allie. I focused primarily on the simple make up, 1940s hair, and the blue dress she wore in the famous scene in the rain when she and Noah realize it isn't over.

Thanks to the internet, you can learn to do almost anything on your own! I watched a quick YouTube hair tutorial by "The Cherry Doll Face". My look didn't come out as fab as I'd like, but I only gave myself 10 minutes to do my hair and five minutes for eyeliner and red lips...Eek! I found this great dress from Charlotte Russe for only $20 at Pearlridge Centers.

 http://www.youtube.com/user/Thecherrydollface



 

Left: Xavier dressed in a $12 shirt and tie set, $12 vest; Ross Dress for Less.
Right: Actor Ryan Gosling of The Notebook

My victim, sorry...my DATE wasn't too excited to hear about the idea. Mostly because I'm in love with Ryan Gosling and I adore him as Noah in The Notebook. I think he's absolutely delicious. Haha! Plus, my date's a local boy, born and raised on O'ahu, and works as a flooring contractor. His wardrobe mostly consist of jeans and t-shirts. After all, there's really no reason to own much more than that a few collared shirts for church and aloha shirts for other occasions. Alas he caved in and dawned these budget friendly threads. It didn't take long for him to totally dig the new look and he was comfortable posing for pics!


The rest of the evening was filled with good food, wine, and some dancing. If you get a chance, please visit this great museum. Enjoy the rest of the photos below from the night!

 



Left: McAdams as Allie
Right: Me, dressed in a high-low periwinkle dress

 

 

xx

Happy Hollandaise!

 

April 16th is National Eggs Benedict Day. I had no idea this holiday existed until now and I love it! Eggs Benedict is my all time Sunday Brunch favorite. Mostly because of the Hollandaise sauce! Smooth buttery goodness and egg on egg action. Sounds like #FoodPorn to me. *Giggidy*

 Here are some of my favorite EB creations I started in my own kitchen:
The Corny Potagee, Hum-must Have This, and Island Crabenedict.





Left: "The Corny Potagee"
Portuguese Sausage Benedict on Bacon Cornbread
Right: "Hum-must Have This"
Edamame Hummus Benedict on English Muffin




"Island Crabenedict"
Snow Crab Benedict with Papaya Relish

Not gonna tell you exactly how I made these EBs, but I will give you my easy blender recipe for hollandaise sauce that's cheap and extremely fast. Here's what you need:

 

2 large egg yolks
1 tablespoon warm water
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

 

Melt butter in the microwave. In a blender/food processor, combine egg yolks, water, lemon juice, and salt; blend until frothy. Add melted butter to egg mixture and blend until smooth. And yes, the hot butter will cook the eggs; don't heat the butter to high. Serve immediately. Makes enough for four pieces of Benedict.

 

Pour the sauce on veggies and other meats. Be sure to consume and serve right away; throw it out otherwise. Keep hollandaise in a warm water bath if not serving immediately; no more than an hour. Consuming raw egg products carry a risk of Salmonella contamination. Always use fresh products.

 

Checkout this fun video about the history of the Eggs Benedict.

 

xx

 

Things to do in Honolulu: April 4/19-4/21

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? I always encourage everyone to shop local and support local businesses in Hawaii.Check out these events and deals in the Honolulu area:

 

 

April 19th:

Aloha Friday Series at Cottage by the Sea. Get 50% off their selected beach inspired item. Must be following @CottageHawaii on Instagram to get the discount. Browse the store for more women's wear and checkout the sale rack, too!

 

April 20th:

Bishop Museum hosts the "6th Annual Grow Hawaiian Festival" and offers complimentary admission for Kama'aina and Military guests. Must have your idea upon entering. Bring the kids for fun and learn to pound poi and enjoy other exhibits! Follow them on social media for event updates: @BishopMuseum.

 

Honolulu Night + Market is a good time for art, music, and fashion! Indulge in the featured food trucks, browse local vendors and artists, and enjoy entertainment happening throughout the evening. Find the fun on Auahi Street in Kaka'ako. Street and lot parking available. Bring cash. Alcohol is served in designated area. Family friendly event. Follow social media for updates: @HNLNightMarket.

April 21st:
Eden in Love Boutique turns 3! The clothing store celebrates their third anniversary at Ward Centers  and is offering amazing discounts and an Instagram contest. You could win $200 to shop! Follow: @EdenInLoveBoutique and don't forget to checkout the good these divas do for our community.

 

 

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KHON 2 News: Creative ideas to use your tax return

 

There are two things you can guarantee in life: death and taxes. KHON 2 News asked me to share my ideas on how to use your tax return this year. According to online sources, the average return is $2700. Your financial advisor will likely tell you to save it and create a rainy day fund.

If you don't need to save it and have some wiggle room. Here are three ideas to focus on when trying to decide how to use your return. Key thing is to treat it like a paycheck that was owed to you. It's not extra money. It's your hard earned cash, so use it wisely and highlight these concepts: Spend, Invest, and Give.

Spend

-Buy the things you absolutely need, such as new tires for your car or repairs to your home. Taking care of your responsibilities will help to avoid potential issues in the future.

Invest

-Invest in yourself, especially your health! Use your return to purchase better food, a gym membership, new running shoes, or even doctor and dental appointments. Poor periodontal health can contribute to heart disease. You have nothing if you don't have your health!

Give

-Donate to your favorite local charity can be rewarding and satisfying. Plus, you can use the donation as another tax write off. WooHoo!

-You can also give yourself a break. Take the return and plan a weekend stay-cation for yourself and/or with the family. Re-discover the city, try new restaurants, or visit a hotel spa and unwind.

I encourage you to do all three ideas if you have a large enough return. Enjoy the photos I took in-studio with the news team!
 

Left: Ron Mizutani, Anchor

 

Left: Kanoe Gibson-Nitta, Weather Anchor

Right: Olena Heu, Anchor

 

Crispy baked mozzarella bites and marinara

Mozzarella sticks are usually deep friend at many restaurants. I love to indulge in these gooey bites, so I came up with a nice alternative that still tastes great! They're kid friendly, budget friendly, and very easy to make.

• 10          string cheese mozzarella sticks; halved
• 1            large egg; scramble for egg wash
• 1/2 c.     flour
• 1 c.        panko (japanese bread crumbs)
• 1 t.         Italian seasoning; you can also season to your taste

What you need: Panko (Japanese bread crumbs), string cheese, eggs,
Italian seasoning, flour.

Dredge cheese in flour, then the egg wash, followed by seasoned panko crumbs.

Breaded and ready to bake for 10 mins or less at 350 degrees!
Don't forget to freeze these first for at least an hour or they will melt into a
gooey delicious mess.

Puree canned tomatoes for mozzarella dipping sauce. Fewer calories than
other canned sauces. Serve it warm.

The finished product! (Don't mind the messy presentation.
My family was eating them so quickly, I had to take any photo op I could get!)

Makes 20 pieces, serves four, roughly $3.00 a batch.

xx 

Hwipped Cream and Cupcakes

Since spring is here, I decided to make some straw-lemon-berry cupcakes using two boxes of Betty Crocker flavored cake mixes. Thank goodness those mixes go on sale often (roughly $2 per box), 'cause making cake from scratch isn't always budget friendly. Just replace a few ingredients to make it taste like it's from scratch; sub the oil for melted butter, water for milk, and add an extra egg.

I swirled the mix to create a nice pink-yellow marbled look. The sweet and tart taste of the cakes didn't need any more sugar and definitely called for a smooth and fresh taste of whipped cream or as Stewie would say, hwipped cream. Who doesn't like whipped cream? It's great on cakes, pies, and people (TMI? Haha! #sorrynotsorry). The question is...how do ya get it to stay without melting or falling in this warm Hawaiian weather? The answer is, GELATIN!

Here's what you need...

 

 

 

• 2 c.  Heavy Whipping Cream
• 4 T  Cold Water
• 4 T  Confectioners Sugar
• 1 t   Unflavored Gelatin

 

 

Place the cold water in a large bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over the water. Wait a few minutes to soften. Heat 4 tablespoons of the heavy cream in the microwave and add to the gelatin mixture. Whisk until incorporated. Chill for 15 minutes until the gelatin-cream mixture thickens equal to an unbeaten egg white.

 

Take the remaining cream and add it to the bowl of your standing mixer if you have one (Fortunately, I have a Ninja blender and managed to whip this in half the time!). Use the whip attachment to whip the remaining cream and sugar. Once it starts forming soft peaks, whip in the gelatin-cream mixture. Be sure to stop and scrape the sides of the bowl a few times and continue whipping. Makes enough to frost 24 cupcakes. Use a plastic food storage bag to pipe the whipped cream by simply cutting one corner of the bag (see below).    

 

 

 Display your cupcakes on a stand! This is one from the Martha Stewart Collection at Macy's. It's on sale online today for $19.99. It's a great investment and something to help elevate your dessert table to impress your guests.
 

 

You'll notice my whipped cream doesn't look totally smooth. I actually rushed this batch of cream ('cause someone failed to tell me we had to be there an hour sooner...eek!) and I don't always measure, so there's more gelatin in these than what I noted in the recipe. Oh, well...still noms!

Here's proof that whipped cream IS great on people! Haha!

 

 

xx