Hawaiian Cuisine Offers Island Delights

The islands of Hawaii are one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. Beyond sun, sand and surf lies a range of culinary delicacies that blend native foods with the influences from the many different peoples who have visited this region of many contrasts.

Few people realize that there's more to Hawaii than its sugary-sand beaches and tall waves. Hawaii is believed to be the only one of the United States where one can experience so many different climates in one region, from tropical shores to snow-covered mountains and microclimates in between.

Say "lomi lomi" to tourists, and they're more likely to think first of deep-tissue massage. However, the phrase actually originated from a Polynesian-influenced dish called Lomi Lomi Salmon. The fish is rubbed – or massaged, if you prefer – with salt and other seasonings before it's cooked. Then it's cooled and refrigerated, and served most often as a side dish with tomatoes and onions.

Ask a Hawaiian surfer for his favorite breakfast and he'll probably say "Loco-Moco." This dish consists of fried egg and a beef patty over a pile of steamed rice, all topped with brown gravy. It's the ideal high-protein, high-carbohydrate breakfast for someone who's about to brave 20-foot-tall waves on a surfboard.

Asian influence in Hawaiian cuisine shows up in ahi poke (pronounced "pokey"), a dish resembling sashimi. Basically it's made from raw yellow fin tuna marinated in soy sauce, seaweed, sesame oil, wasabi and kukui nut, topped with cucumber slices and ginger. There are more than 100 varieties of poke throughout the Hawaiian Islands, with many versions salt-cured or smoked.

Finally, there's no more authentic Hawaiian entree than Lau-Lau, a succulent pork loin or pork shoulder stuffed with vegetables and another protein source such as chicken or rich-tasting butterfish. The stuffed pork is then wrapped in leaves from the tarot plant and tied up like a package to seal in moisture. Lau-Lau is then place in a fire pit underground, where it's pressure-cooked or steamed until ready. A luau dish for sure, Lau-Lau is one Hawaiian feast beloved by locals as well as visitors.

If you are in a hurry and don’t have time to do all the cooking then these dishes can easily be altered slightly and cooked in your crock pot. Crock pot recipes are great as you can prepare them in the morning and when you come home from work you have one of your fantastic pork slow cooker recipes ready to be dished up and eaten.