Pani keke

I'm not the best at speaking Tongan or keeping the culture alive in our daily activity, but I try my best to do what I can for my kids and myself.

In the past couple of years I've tried my best to attempt some traditional dishes so that our kids would be familiar with them and that they would learn little by little, here and there, what's a part of our culture.

This is the best keke recipe that i have found ( that I've made) that was quick and easy and delicious to boot!

The interesting thing about keke, is that it's not just a part of Tongan culture, but the rest of Polynesia makes this or their version as well. You know what else? Europeans (Germans and swedes & I'm sure others)  make this, Okinawans have their version and guess who else, Nigerians! They call it Puff Puff, or Kpof Kpof. I watched a video of the Nigerian recipe and it's exactly the same as Tongans make it, right down to dropping it in the pan with their hand! Isn't that interesting?



I wonder where the recipe originated and how it happened to end up in vast countries around the world?

Here is the recipe, which I doubled .  I got it from  panipopos.blogspot.com. Hope you have as much fun making them as you do eating them.  I sure did!


Panikeke (makes 13)
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup sugar
pinch of salt
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
water
oil for frying


Heat up your oil over medium heat, then as soon as it starts to get shimmery, turn the heat down low. If you have anything as fancy as a thermometre in your kitchen, heat the oil to somewhere between 320°F and 356°F (160°C to 180°C).

You don't have to wait for your oil to get to temperature before mixing your batter. It'll take you less than five minutes, so go ahead and sift the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Add the egg and milk, then mix everything up with enough water to form a thick batter. You know, I want to call this a batter because we're making pancakes, but it's actually more like a wet dough. See the video if you're not sure what consistency it should be.

Fry tablespoonfuls in the oil for 3-5 minutes until they're dark golden brown. If your oil is too high, the panikeke will be uncooked on the inside. If your oil is too low you'll have greasy panikeke. So every couple of batches, break one open to make sure it's cooked through, and eat it if you really must.

Beach bums

Searching for sea cucumbers.

Fishing for the guys.

Soaking up the sun. 

Fun had by all! 

Crockpot laulau

Mom stopped by to visit a couple days ago and since I had an extra pair of hands I started my second try at making crockpot laulau. The ingredients are simple:

6lb pork butt roast
3 Tbs sea salt
3 Tbs shoyu
1/4 C water
Taro leaves

Cut the pork into 1&1/2 inch pieces. Add salt and shoyu to pork and mix. Put pork in heart of taro leaves and fold then place into crockpot. Add 1/4C water to crockpot, set on low for 8 hrs.

There are a few things I did differently this time.

1. I used ti leaf in place of the foil on the inside of the pot to help keep as much steam in as possible.

2. I wrapped the individual laulau in foil for freezing purposes.

Previously, I made the laulau and put them in the pot without foil and I definitely liked that way better. When it cooks, the liquid collects from the meat and leaves and moistens the laulau bundles when they aren't covered in foil. This time around I noticed that by using foil it kept a few of them dryer than normal and still itchy after the 8 hrs, which is no good.

Crockpot Laulau

Mom stopped by to visit a couple days ago and since I had an extra pair of hands I started my second try at making crockpot laulau. The ingredients are simple:

6lb pork butt roast
3 Tbs sea salt
3 Tbs shoyu
1/4 C water
Taro leaves

Cut the pork into 1&1/2 inch pieces. Add salt and shoyu to pork and mix. Put pork in heart of taro leaves and fold then place into crockpot. Add 1/4C water to crockpot, set on low for 8 hrs.

There are a few things I did differently this time.

1. I used ti leaf in place of the foil on the inside of the pot to help keep as much steam in as possible.

2.  I wrapped the individual laulau in foil for freezing purposes.

Previously, I made the laulau and put them in the pot without foil and I definitely liked that way better. When it cooks, the liquid collects from the meat and leaves and moistens the laulau bundles when they aren't covered in foil. This time around I noticed that by using foil it kept a few of them dryer than normal and still itchy after the 8 hrs, which is no good.

In the video I found for the recipe, ti leaves were used to help keep the steam in.  I noticed no difference, it's really not needed.

I would recommend making this when the little ones are asleep as it does take time to prep (washing leaves and cutting meat) and it would take all day to "stop n go" cook. It can be cooked over night if you have a timer crockpot like I do , after cooking for 8 hrs it will automatically turn to warm.  If not, you can, like I did this time, make the bundles the night before and put them in a tray in the fridge overnight and then cook the next morning.

The next time I make this, I would place the bundles all in the bare pot (no ti leaves) , without the individual foil wrapping, but after piling them in the pot I'd put a sheet of foil over the top of the crockpot right under the lid to help keep the moisture in.


Trial and error are fun when you get to eat the results.  Have you tried anything new or different in your cooking lately?

Happy eating! 

Twinners!!

2 very special celebrations to honor today!  A birthday and anniversary. TWINNERS!!

 

 Happy birthday to our sweet sister, Lusinita Friberg, she is 30...something (oops) today.  We'll leave it at that ;)  I won't out you sis. Ha! Lusi, if we were with you, we'd bake you a chocolate cake!  I found pics from a past bday Lusi had in Vegas. She is genuinely kind and has the biggest heart of anyone I know.  She reminds me much of Dad in that way. I love you, Happy birthday Lusi!    

 Happy Anniversary to the Clark's!!  I think it's been 6 yrs for the handsome couple?  Here are a few pics of their big day.  I'm so happy that I was able to make it for the wedding.  We had so much fun and Siu made a beautiful bride.  4 kids later and they still look this good.  Just take my word for it cause I don't have a pic to prove it. haha! If we were with you, I'd make you some cookies and have the kids over for a sleep over.  ;) Bow chik a bow wow.  I love you Matt and Siu, Happy Anny!!!

ps- it's still April 4th 10:34 pm Hawaii time.  I made the dead line.  :)

Brothers

My two boys are so different from each other. Sai Kingsley, my 4 yr old and Baby Bryan aka "Bubba" are total opposites! Sai is quiet, shy, easy going, friendly, very sweet, kind, likes to be kissed, likes to snuggle, usually plays it safe and patient. He usually listens to what he's been told and is my "good kid".  Bubba on the other hand, loud, doesn't listen, is more daring, likes to get into everything, is a bully, beats up on his older brother and sisters, he's very outgoing...did I mention very daring?? Lol. Yes, he sounds like a brat, but really, he's a sweetheart!  He's a risk taker and isn't very afraid of much. He doesn't like to cuddle much---unless it's me. Yup, he's a mamma's boy! Lol. When Sai was born, I wanted him to be a Mamma's boy so bad, but he wasn't. I was so sad :-( So when I had Bubba, I didn't get my hopes up too high.  But to my surprise, he's the BIGGEST Mamma's boy I've ever seen! Sometimes it drives me up the wall...but I got what I asked for! Lol.

So this is a short video of Bubba making trouble to his big brother, while Sai's trying to take a nap. It's cute, and I can totally see the two different characters in the short 15 seconds. I love my boys so much! I hope that regardless of their different personalities, that they'll remain close and always get along. Of course  it's a wish, but that's ok, wishes are meant to come true ;-)

Lunch with Dad

Back in the day, before all the grand kids blessed us with their presence, Dad used to meet or call me n the gals (who ever was living at home at the time) up for lunch. It's One of the many things that I love about him.
He'd be working at a site, with our husbands usually, leave and call us to go to lunch. 'Member those days, Lus? They were both fun and hilarious because the guys thought dad was at another site or at Home Depot when in reality, we were grubbing!

It's been a long time since that has happened. Once the kids came into the picture I no longer get calls for lunch, the kids do. I still get lunch, cause I'm the driver and dads too nice to leave me hanging, but the invite is always for the kids, boo hoo. I guess I can't complain, this side buster is still getting a free meal and most of all, my kids are feeling the love.

I was in town running errands with Jeremy a few days ago when dad called and asked if I could bring the kids to meet him for lunch. "Sorry dad, the kids aren't here, but I am!" Just like old times again..even if I was a sloppy second! ;)