Hapa is the Hawaiian word for ‘part’ or ‘half’ and usually refers to someone of mixed ethnicity. Unlike the ugly derogatory “half-breed” or “Mudblood” for Harry Potter fans, hapa is a positive moniker. Hapa kids, especially in Hawaii, are typically perceived as having the best of both worlds—particularly their good looks or names that honor their combined heritage--Tyler Kainalu, Melody Haruka or Kawika Johnson (really!).

And it is a growing demographic. Check out Everything Hapa for more information. Keanu Reeves, Tia Carrere, Apolo Ohno, Dwayne Johnson, Paul Kariya, Sean Lennon, Cheryl Burke, Devin Setoguchi, Bruno Mars, Mike Shinoda (of Linkin Park), Kelly Hu, Tiger Woods and some guy named Barack Obama are all hapa. 

This makes for diverse families, and by extension, diverse food. Amazing combos that are squarely cross-cultural. We should thank our lucky hapa stars for this goodness. In honor of Hapa Day, here are some of my favorites.

Spam mmmMusubi
Rice, nori (dried seaweed) and Spam. Nothing remotely Japanese about Spam. And there is no way you can make musubi using Uncle Ben’s. But spam musubi is marvy--a beloved go-to item at potlucks, graduation parties and beach trips.

Mochi Ice Cream
Sheer genius to the family who figured to swap out the traditional azuki or kuri in the mochi with ice cream. Not exactly good for the many lactose-intolerant Asians, but delicious anyhow.

Peanut Butter Beer Miso Chicken
Thank you Sam Choy for this odd yet ono combo.

Coconut Butter Mochi
Coconut, butter and mochiko (sweet rice flour) come together and play nicely in this sticky chewy goodness of a dessert.  

Sushi Variations
I'm certain that avocado, cream cheese, and lox are not traditional sushi ingredients. To be fair, these are named California and Philadelphia rolls, but still, you get the idea. Unlikely mixing improves the original concept 

Furikake Chex Mix & Hurricane Popcorn
Best. Snacks. Possibly Ever.

Teri-beef Sandwiches
Sweet/salty/juicy teriyaki meat on a hamburger bun slathered with with mayonnaise, plus lettuce, sweet onion and tomatoes. Drippy goodness.

Li-hing Anything
Shave ice, apples, barbecue sauce, high-concept Alan Wong's vinaigrette salad dressing. It’s all awesome.

Celebrate your inner-hapa! Eat Well. Be Well.

Standard Time brought cold weather and a hankering for some of my Mom's Portuguese Bean Soup. Bringing out the one-bowl meals this week.

Portuguese Bean Soup is total Hawaii comfort food. Like macaroni salad, every family has its own spin. If there is any 'secret ingredient' to soup, it's time. Making it is definitely a process that needs to start on the weekend. But it will make enough for a weekday meal plus a frozen one.

Pictures from Day 1

The first day is all about creating the stock and removing fat (See picture at right). Skim it and send it into the trash than through your arteries.

Sunday
Furikake salmon, two flavors, salad, roasted sweet potatoes and rice. Just crust salmon with furikake, cook in a bit of oil and eat over hot rice for a fast simple dinner.

Monday
Mom's Portuguese Bean Soup. My house is feeling warm and cozy and smelling very good.

Tuesday
Oyako Donburi. More comfort food for cold weather. Another warm bowl of goodness for dinner.

Wednesday
Pan-fried noodles. This is overdue as we haven't had it in quite awhile. Will use a bit of chicken, or perhaps go vegetarian altogether.

Thursday
It's hockey night. Spam musubi, li-hing apples and string beans with a goma shio-sauce. Go Sharks!

Friday
Chicken Tortilla Soup. With more rain forecast, tortilla soup sounds like a good way to end the weekend.


Eat Well. Be Well.

Every Sunday night, I ask my family, "What do you want to have for dinner this week?"  

First answer, every time, "Spam and String Beans"  

After back and forth banter about Spam eating frequency vs. relative health, what vegetables we have and what my deprived children never get to eat, we get to a set of options. I have final say, and this week is no different.

Monday: Number One Udon, miso variation (see left)
My first attempt at miso broth ended up being a little weak. Thankfully, the condiments compensated. I used the last of the bok choy, corn, shoyu/butter-browned enoki mushrooms, kamaboko, green onions, a hard boiled egg and a sprinkling of Japanese pepper. I've got work to do on a good miso broth.

Tuesday: Myles Last Resort Meatloaf, baked zucchini and rice
My husband's college-days comfort food, and good sandwiches or leftovers roulette for the rest of the week. Using a zucchini that is growing so fast it will attempt a hostile takeover of the planter bed if we don't eat it. 

Wednesday: Broccoli Cashew Chicken (using green beans)
I just got a bag of beautiful home-grown green beans from my neighbor, so I'm swapping green beans for broccoli. Should be good. Don't even mention the Pork Product That Shall Not Be Named That Rhymes with Glam.

Thursday: Practical Pad Thai, re-visited.
In this case, we've not eaten a home-made version of this in quite awhile. Thanks all for the suggestions. I think I can get closer this time.

Friday: Tandoori Chicken Sandwiches
Using more of our tomatoes for a good weekend meal.

And if all else fails, there's always Spam and String Beans! 

Eat Well. Be Well.