Hawaii trip, take four

Captain’s Log, Supplemental

So, I’m back from visiting my family in Hawaii. I was a very relaxing trip—I didn’t do much of anything, to be honest.

Saturday was Girls’ Day, a Japanese festival celebrating being a girl. :)

When I was a baby, Mom dressed me up in a special kimono for Girls’ Day. My grandmother also made chi chi dango, which is soft pink mochi dusted with cornstarch. Here’s a recipe.

This year, we invited my mom’s side of the family for dinner. Dad made huli-huli chicken—rotisserie cooked over an open fire of mesquite wood. It’s to die for—smoky, crispy, juicy. We tear off the wings and eat them as soon as Dad takes the chicken off the fire.

My grandma made shrimp tempura. Very yummy—her batter uses panko crumbs so it’s light and crispy

We also had sashimi—raw fish, usually tuna. It’s become kind of traditional to have sashimi at parties, at least in Hawaii.

Mom also made her famous Chinese chicken salad—lettuce, shredded boiled chicken, fried wonton strips, and her salad dressing. She also adds cilantro on top, which not everyone likes, but I think it’s fabulous.

Camy’s Mom’s Chinese Chicken Salad Dressing

3 tablespoons vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ cup salad oil
1 tablespoon sesame oil

Whisk together and toss with salad.

For dessert, Mom made crème brulee, and we also bought chocolate cream pie and apple pie from Sunnyside, a bakery/diner in my hometown.

Sum up: I at a LOT. But it was great food!