Recipes

Step by step instructions for making iconic (and newly created) dishes from the islands of Oceania.

The call of the musubi – SPAM musubi!

The call of the musubi – SPAM musubi!

Every now and then, the stomach craves the foods of my childhood. Among the many – Spam musubi is ranked in the top three. This Hawaiian snack (with Japanese origins) is made in a variety of ways depending on the salivating taste buds of the consumer. Spam was a main...

Alaisa fa’apopo – Samoan coconut rice

Alaisa fa’apopo – Samoan coconut rice

Lots of Asian countries do a coconut and rice dish, but they don’t do it like Samoans do. (As far as I know.)

Alaisa fa’apopo literally means rice that’s been coconut’ed, which of course means that we’ve done something very coconut-y to the rice.

(I’m cracking myself up right now).

It’s all true, though.

How to make simple Cook Island style ‘Ika Mata

How to make simple Cook Island style ‘Ika Mata

If you're curious about what is 'ika mata' and what it taste like... then why not try out this simple, quick and easy recipe. But first let me tell you a bit about 'ika mata'. What is 'ika mata' and where does it come from? 'Ika mata' means 'Raw fish' in Rarotongan...

Why Samoan panipopo is food for the soul

Why Samoan panipopo is food for the soul

So… I have no idea how panipopo - those decadent buns soaked in sweet, velvety coconut cream - became a Samoan thing. I know that bakeries in Samoa are amazing, and have been for ages. Even my grandparents talked about getting up before the sun, seleni (shilling) in...

Samoan Style Chicken Curry

Samoan Style Chicken Curry

Here's a dish we most likely inherited from Asian settlers in the Pacific. Samoan curry is made with powdered Indian spices, but it isn't as strong or as fragrant as traditional curries. Instead it is creamier, with spices balanced in a soul-food kinda way by the...

Samoan Puligi (steamed pudding)

Samoan Puligi (steamed pudding)

We have a funeral in the family this week. My mom's beautiful Aunt lived a long, full life and was called a few days ago to rest in Paradise. Typical of many Samoan funerals, Auntie won't be buried until early next week. In the meantime, the family is spending a lot...

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Why Samoan panipopo is food for the soul
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