I've enjoyed being part of a book-club that rotates houses, giving everyone a chance to cook. We recently read a book based in Hawaii, and since it was my turn to host, I was able to make a Hawaiian-themed lunch. The following dishes would be great for any event - family dinner, luncheon, birthday party, etc. We enjoyed the following: fresh fruit kebabs, Hawaiian-slider sandwiches, pineapple fried rice, pineapple-coconut-banana smoothies, and hummingbird cupcakes with a toffee glaze. All recipes provided below! Make some or all for a fun, themed meal! Enjoy!
Hawaiian Themed Book Club Luncheon - Recipes and instructions below!
Fruit kebabs - I prepared fruit skewers the evening before the luncheon, covered and refrigerated until serving.
On wooden skewers, arrange in a nice rainbow order:
purple grapes (2 or 3)
blueberries (2 or 3)
honeydew melon (1 or 2 pieces)
pineapple chunk (1 or 2 pieces)
canteloupe melon (1 or 2 pieces)
watermelon chunks (1 or 2 pieces)
strawberry (1 for the end) (optional, since you already have the watermelon)
On wooden skewers, arrange in a nice rainbow order:
purple grapes (2 or 3)
blueberries (2 or 3)
honeydew melon (1 or 2 pieces)
pineapple chunk (1 or 2 pieces)
canteloupe melon (1 or 2 pieces)
watermelon chunks (1 or 2 pieces)
strawberry (1 for the end) (optional, since you already have the watermelon)
Delicious fruit kebabs with hummingbird cupcakes in the background.
Easy-cheesy Hawaiian sliders - place on a foil-lined pan:
Bottoms of rolls (Hawaiian rolls - for those not needing gluten-free and homemade gluten-free rolls for those with allergies)
Top with:
1 slice of sharp cheddar cheese
slice or two of honey ham
1 pineapple ring
Heat in the oven at 350 F for 15-20 minutes.
Remove from the oven and put the on the tops of the rolls.
Brush each roll with melted butter (make sure to start with the gluten-free rolls to avoid contamination. ***Make GF and non-GF completely separately (or just make all GF) when cooking for those with severe allergies.
Heat sandwiches at 350 F for an additional 5-10 minutes. Then serve!
Bottoms of rolls (Hawaiian rolls - for those not needing gluten-free and homemade gluten-free rolls for those with allergies)
Top with:
1 slice of sharp cheddar cheese
slice or two of honey ham
1 pineapple ring
Heat in the oven at 350 F for 15-20 minutes.
Remove from the oven and put the on the tops of the rolls.
Brush each roll with melted butter (make sure to start with the gluten-free rolls to avoid contamination. ***Make GF and non-GF completely separately (or just make all GF) when cooking for those with severe allergies.
Heat sandwiches at 350 F for an additional 5-10 minutes. Then serve!
Hawaiian sliders, prepped and ready for the first round of baking.
Pineapple Fried Rice
This is one part of the meal you'll want to make last minute, so it's fresh and delicious. Luckily, provided you've prepped all the ingredients in advance, it cooks up quickly!
Cook your plain rice a day in advance so it's ready. You can also have the vegetables and pineapple prepped the night before. Combined with the Hawaiian sliders, I don't add in chicken, only the eggs. When serving on it's own, you can add ham or chicken or shrimp to the pineapple fried rice for a full meal! The fresh pineapple diced and tossed in after cooking adds a taste of sweetness.
This is one part of the meal you'll want to make last minute, so it's fresh and delicious. Luckily, provided you've prepped all the ingredients in advance, it cooks up quickly!
Cook your plain rice a day in advance so it's ready. You can also have the vegetables and pineapple prepped the night before. Combined with the Hawaiian sliders, I don't add in chicken, only the eggs. When serving on it's own, you can add ham or chicken or shrimp to the pineapple fried rice for a full meal! The fresh pineapple diced and tossed in after cooking adds a taste of sweetness.
Pineapple Fried Rice, ready for eating!
Toffee-glazed Pineapple Cupcakes (hummingbird cake cupcakes)
Make a 1/2 batch of hummingbird cake batter. Fill cupcake liners ~1/2 - 2/3 full and baked 15-20 minutes. (Makes ~2 dozen, I believe, but it really depends how full you make them).
Glaze cupcakes while still warm with toffee glaze from toffee donuts recipe. (Or, just make donuts - everyone will be happy!)
This makes a lovely, light dessert accompaniment to this luncheon.
Make a 1/2 batch of hummingbird cake batter. Fill cupcake liners ~1/2 - 2/3 full and baked 15-20 minutes. (Makes ~2 dozen, I believe, but it really depends how full you make them).
Glaze cupcakes while still warm with toffee glaze from toffee donuts recipe. (Or, just make donuts - everyone will be happy!)
This makes a lovely, light dessert accompaniment to this luncheon.
Pineapple-coconut-banana smoothies
In a blender, combine:
1 cup unsweetened vanilla coconut yogurt
pineapple juice left in can from using pineapple rings + a couple extra pineapple rings
1-3 cups orange-pineapple juice (this tends to vary depending how thick/thin you want your smoothie, and how much pineapple juice/pineapple rings you had left from the sandwiches)
1 cup ice (or more, to taste)
1 frozen banana (not overripe, for smoothies, I freeze them when they are nice and yellow - just peel and freeze)
3-4 frozen strawberries
5-10 frozen blueberries
I made one full blender of smoothie, which I served 10 in smaller cups.
In a blender, combine:
1 cup unsweetened vanilla coconut yogurt
pineapple juice left in can from using pineapple rings + a couple extra pineapple rings
1-3 cups orange-pineapple juice (this tends to vary depending how thick/thin you want your smoothie, and how much pineapple juice/pineapple rings you had left from the sandwiches)
1 cup ice (or more, to taste)
1 frozen banana (not overripe, for smoothies, I freeze them when they are nice and yellow - just peel and freeze)
3-4 frozen strawberries
5-10 frozen blueberries
I made one full blender of smoothie, which I served 10 in smaller cups.
Enjoy!
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