 I hope you had a nice weekend! We had a very wet one here in Hilo. Before I get too far, I have to confess that I strayed from last week’s menu plan because I found langostino. What is langostino? Well, it tastes remarkably like a lobster, but it’s actually a “squat lobster,” which is neither a lobster nor a prawn. Long John Silver’s, in 2006, marketed them as a lobster and got into a lot of hot water. (Yes, I was going for a sort of a pun, there.) At any rate, they are considerably lower-priced than lobster, and I think equally delicious. The ones I found (at ChoiceMart, Captain Cook) were of course frozen and from Chile. I had a sentimental moment because they were a favorite of my mother’s; something she loved to buy at the tiny fish market in Arcata. I am very sad that I didn’t buy all of the packages and freeze them . Anyway, I did stray from the menu plan, and made a to-do-for fettucine with the langostino, red peppers, and Portobello mushrooms . I’ll put a picture below. I’m also including a photo of the most recent squash recipe that turned up in the HELCO bill. It was yummy. So what’s on the menu, this week? Sunday: Guava-Sriracha Meatballs, Rice, and Salad Monday: Shrimp Pad Thai; Kabocha Squash Tuesday: Stuffed Peppers; Parmesan-Baked Zucchini Wednesday: Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Cream Cheese and Bacon; Noodles; Peas Thursday: Caprese Salad with Fresh Mozzarella, Tomatoes, Capers and Balsamic Vinaigrette over Angel Hair Pasta Friday: Baked Salmon, Israeli Couscous, and Green Beans Saturday: Fish Tacos Have a great week, everyone! – C. Ironing 
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 We are still a little full. We really ought to share lunches. Pictured above: The Mahina Cafe's Fish and Chips. Below, please see the fish sandwich (fish of the day was ahi). The Mahina Cafe is located at 82-6123 Mamalahoa Hwy., Captain Cook, Hawaii. Phone is 323-3200. This cafe used to be a Mexican restaurant that we just loved, and we were very sorry when it closed. I don't know if I was holding a grudge, or what . . . but I was finally like why haven't we tried this place, yet? Dummies. It's delicious. Go. The fish above was done like a tempura which make it shatteringly crispy. We're sort of picky about fries, too, and these were so hot and crispy that I had to help Mr. L with them. Lots of them. I had the fish sandwich (also ahi) and as you will see in the photo below, they did not skimp on fish. It came with a ripe tomato (I hate it when they are unripe), lettuce, onion and tartar sauce. I had the potato salad and it was great! I have never had potato salad with black olives and now I have to. It added a nice, salty element to it. The last delightful surprise was that the server brought us a malasada to share for dessert, free of charge, and it was really great. They can be very heavy and greasy -- this one was quite the opposite. We ate very late -- around 2:00 -- so that is why the place looks empty in the photo, but it filled up again as we were about to leave. Bathrooms were spotless. Kitchen looked spotless. The servers were really nice and efficient. It was 91 degrees outside, according to our car, but inside it was cool and quiet. The lemonade and iced tea hit the spot. This will be a new regular stop for us. I hope you stop in. Back to the business at hand: This week's menus.
Sunday: Pork Stew with Carrots, Potatoes, and Portobello Mushrooms Over Rice Monday: Couscous with Sausages and Zucchini; French Bread Tuesday: Ritz-Cracker-Coated Chicken, Yellow Squash, and Buttered Egg Noodles Wednesday: Portobello Mushroom Burgers and Fries Thursday: Tonkatsu, Rice, and Butternut Squash Friday: Salmon Patties and Buckwheat Noodles; Greens Saturday: Quesadillas with Cheese and Avocado; Pinto Beans Let's hope this rain stops, pretty soon! Have a great week, everyone. -C. Ironing  The photo above is from an old Richfield-Atlantic Hawaiian cook book a friend gave me, copyright 1965. I am intrigued by the island in the background. Mr. L thinks it is Coconut Island, pre-bridge. Anyone know? The cookbook contains such gems as “Gar Doo Gai” (Chinese Chicken) and “Seafoam Salad” (gag). Most recipes are winners, though, with the possible exception of “Luau Mayonnaise” (“Thin one cup mayonnaise with 2 T. pineapple juice and 1 T. maraschino cherry syrup. Blend to a smooth pink color.”). Bleck. It does not say what you’d use that for, but I don’t think I care.
Our menus are somewhat incomplete this week. Mr. L’s birthday is on Wednesday, and he has not yet decided what he wants for his birthday dinner. We are having spaghetti tonight, so it won’t be that (odds are, it would have been). He’d better decide soon, or it’ll be Chef’s Surprise. Sunday: Spaghetti ; Tossed Green Salad Monday: Cuban Chicken with Black Beans and Rice; Avocado Slices Tuesday: Pork Chops; Scalloped Potatoes; Peas Wednesday: ? Thursday: Chive-Risotto Cakes; Tossed Green Salad Friday: One-Pot Lemon Parmesan Pasta Saturday: Salmon; Summer Vegetable Tian Here’s to hoping things cool off a little! Have a great week. -C. Ironing   Pictured above: Taco Salad and Chicken Chimichanga from Los Habaneros in the Keauhou Shopping Center. They were delicious, but lesson learned – Mr. L and I could have easily split one item. Neither of us could finish our lunches. The location is very handy if you are planning to hit the movies at the Regal – just a few doors away. The cost was $28 for two entrees and two drinks, excluding tip.
Service was brisk but efficient. There were many “regulars” eating there, and for them, things seemed friendlier. We wished the menu had been posted on the window or entryway (or even online). Having to quickly scan a board puts pressure on to hurry up and order – I don’t want to keep others waiting. Fortunately, we chose well. I really liked the chicken in Mr. L’s chimichanga – I’d vote to split that, next time. I’d also get everything to go, and go sit on the rock wall facing the ocean. That’s a great view. Today we went to garage sales and I found more vintage yellow dishes. I am off of “dish restriction” somehow, so I snatched those babies up. We also found nice-quality wineglasses and a pristine casserole dish. That inspired me to clean out my cabinets at home (whew), wash everything, and put it back nicely. I don’t know what came over me. I had to have a nap, later. I’m also inspired to cook, because I have new stuff. Let’s see what we can come up with, this week: Saturday: Pork Loin, Pasta with Pesto, and Oven-Roasted Zucchini Sunday: Ribs, Twice-Baked Potatoes, and Carrots Monday: Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce; Tossed Salad Tuesday: Turkey Hoisin Meatballs on Skewers ; Rice; Coleslaw with Peanut Sauce Wednesday: Fajitas Thursday: Black Beans and Coconut Rice (cook rice in coconut milk); Shrimp Friday: Smoked Salmon; Toasted Baguettes; Cream Cheese with Capers and Sliced Tomatoes Have a great week, everyone! - C. Ironing |
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