What We're Eating in Hilo, Hawaii - 10/26 to 1/1

Chicken Ropa Viejas

Last week's "menu post" went pretty well, so I'm going to do that, again.  Plus, it forces me to get my menus and grocery list together.

I hope you had a good week.  Mine went by in a flash because I was so busy.  After work on Tuesday, I headed out to the garden and was able to pick green beans and two eggplants.  We also ate bananas and avocados, which Mr. L grew. This is the longest our garden season has ever gone, and I am really enjoying it.

Lava entered the Pahoa area early this morning.  I feel like we are living through some (sad) history on this island.  When we go out to Kalapana to have lunch or walk, I am reminded of tales of what a beautiful area it was, pre-lava.  Our thoughts are with our friends who live in the Pahoa area, and we hope to offer support as they enter a major change in their lifestyle.  

Without further ado, the menus.

Sunday:  Ham-Tomato Strata, and fresh garden green beans.  This strata is a thrifty way to use stuff up, and it's also good reheated for breakfast.  I had "pinned" it on Pinterest, where it was quite popular.  

Monday: Local-style Beef Tomato, mashed potatoes, and tossed green salad.  The author of this recipe doesn't like peppers, but I do, so I add a half-cup of sliced green and a half-cup of sliced red ones.  Pork sirloin also works beautifully, if you don't want to use beef.  Mr. L likes it with mashed potatoes because it makes a nice gravy.  He's quite big on gravy.  :-)

Tuesday:  Coconut-Cilantro Grilled Chicken, rice, and cabbage salad.  Let's hope it isn't raining on Tuesday, because I am hoping Mr. L can fire up the grill.  This marinade is fantastic.  I plan to double the recipe because I really like the chicken cold, sliced, for lunches.

Wednesday:  Pasta with Pancetta and Leeks, french bread, and sliced tomatoes.  This may be my favorite recipe from The Pioneer Woman (talk about hard to choose).  I would eat anything she set in front of me.  What a cook!

Thursday:  Kalua Pork and Cabbage.  No recipe needed here -- it's so easy. I just add half a head of diced cabbage to butter, in a large skillet, saute' until tender, and add a tub of Kalua pork.  Stir until heated through. Serve with rice and shoyu.  COMFORT FOOD.  

Friday:  Chicken Ropa Viejas (pictured above), beans, rice, and  sliced avocados.  This is from a post I did for WiseBread.  I tested a lot of  Cuban recipes, and this (along with a Cuban pizza recipe) are two I make frequently.  I had friends who had recently visited Cuba and they made suggestions for the article.  I discovered that I love Cuban food!  Recipe note:  I add extra carrots and tomato, and I don't discard the vegetables -- I throw them back into the sauce, which I think is delicious (and I hate to waste). If you have extra cooking liquid, just freeze it and later make soup.  

Saturday:  Ahi with Wasabi Butter Sauce, noodles, and roasted broccoli.  Mr. L made this for my birthday about five years ago, and I licked the plate.  I'm not joking.  The sauce is THAT GOOD.  More things should be doused in Wasabi Butter Sauce.


There you have it, folks. My next task is to clean house, which I absolutely hate (but not as much as ironing).  Have a great weekend!