July 4, 2009 Lobster Fest

I live with a Pakistani. This man does not get some of the holidays. This has its good side and bad side. Would I like hot dogs and hamburgers or maybe brat’s for the 4th. Yes I would. But then he comes home with these treasures to prepare. Syed found live Maine Lobsters. (ON MAUI) Not Maine Lobsters that are grown on Kauai. He came home with the real deal. We have this gentleman down the road who grows and teaches organic gardening. He sells us produce once a week when our garden is resting. It is his chard and red white and blue potatoes on the plate. All I did to prepare the lobster was boil a large pot of water with lots of salt and put the lobsters in the pot. Once it gains a boil again set the timer for 12 minutes. The Lobster came out perfect! We had a bottle of Chateau Montelena 2005 Zinfandel from our last Napa Valley trip. I know what you are saying “What Red” I love red. For me it is Red, Red, Red with everything.

Hope you all had a great holiday!

Earthquake on Maui June 28, 2009

The island of Maui had a jolting earthquake Sunday evening…measuring magnitude 3.4 on the Richtor Scale. It occurred 3 miles south-southwest of the summit of the Haleakala Crater. It occurred approximately 2 miles deep, and was felt across all of Maui. We were sitting around watching TV. It sure got me up and off the couch fast it was at 8:39pm. It definitely got my heart racing, and must admit…scared me!

Free Concert-Willie K

Willie K will be at The Lahaina Cannery Mall Monday June 19 at 7:00pm. At the Hula Stage right next to Maui Showcase Properties. If you go to the concert stop on in to get the latest hot deals on Timeshare Resales.

Maui Film Festival June 17-21, 2009

The Maui Film Festival takes place at the Wailea Resort and at the state-of-the-art Maui & Arts &Cultural Center in Kahului. A signature feature of the festival is its under-the stars Celestial Cinema, an open air, Dolby Digital equipped outdoor theater, with a 50-foot wide screen located at the Wailea Gold & Emerald Golf Course. This is an experience not to be missed! We have gone several times.

In addition to the Celestial Cinema, The Maui Film Festival offers four other distinct venues for attendees to enjoy. Additional outdoor venues are the Oceanside SunDance Theatre on Wailea Beach, below the Four Seasons Resort and The Maui SkyDone on the rooftop of the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. Indoor screenings take place at The Castle Theater and the McCoy Theater at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center (MACC) in Kahului.  Maui Activities and EventsNow in its 9th year, the Maui Film Festival will carry on its tradition of presenting great film and great film artists, events, panels and more on one of the world’s most beautiful islands.The Celestial Cinema. Always Hawaii’s Best Entertainment Value! Kids 12 & under FREE on Opening & Closing Nights!
www.MauiFilmFestival.com

Kapalua Wine and Food Festival : Carnival 28th Annual

On June 11, 2009, the longest-running and most prestigious festival of its kind in Hawaii, celebrates 28 years of fine food and wine with a four-day culinary extravaganza.
Inspired by innovation, excellence and intimacy, the 28th annual Kapalua Wine and Food Festival explores some of the most exciting trends in the gastronomic world.
Festival Host, Master Sommelier Fred Dame brings together world-renown winemakers, top Master Sommeliers, celebrating chefs and industry insiders for a long-weekend of daily culinary exhibitions, interactive wine tastings and evening gala events. The Grand Tasting, Kapalua Seafood Festival, In the Kitchen and Fred Dame’s Rare Wines Dinner are but a few of the highlights of this trendsetting event.
Schedule of Events

Thursday, June 11, 2009 Welcome Reception
This invitation-only affair includes Master Sommeliers, winemakers, celebrity chefs, media, sponsors and 4-day pass holders for an intimate kick off to the 2009 Kapalua Wine and Food Festival.

Read more

Maui Restaurant Discounts

Duo Steak and Seafood and Ferraro’s Bar and Ristorante in Wailea Maui is offering a Three Course Dinner which includes Choice of Appetizer or Salad , Choice of Entrée and Choice of Dessert for $49.00. These are both great restaurants. Valid through June 30, 2009. Reservations: 808-874-8000

Kheere ka Raita

Cucumber and Mint Raita
A cool and refreshing relish, Raita is always the perfect partner for very hot dishes. Some cooks also like to serve it as an accompaniment to mildly spiced foods, claiming it helps indigestion.
2. cups plain yogurt
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely diced.
1/3 cup thinly sliced onion (sweet Maui is nice.
1 tomato thinly sliced
½ teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint or 2 teaspoons dried.
1 small garlic clove, minced
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin, plus ¼ teaspoon for garnish.
I always toast my spices before I grind them. It brings out the flavor.
In a medium bowl, beat the yogurt until it is smooth. Add the garlic, and the 1/8 teaspoon cumin, salt, pepper,and mint. Stir until well blended.
Add Cucumber,tomato and onion, Turn the Raita into a serving bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. Just before serving, sprinkle the Raita with concentric circles of the cumin and paprika, for garnish. Makes 2 ½ to 3 cups. Make when you are ready to serve. Does not keep well overnight.

Masala Murgha – Spicy Whole Baked Chicken

Masala Murgha – Spicy Whole Baked Chicken
This simple roast chicken-flavorful but not too fiery is a lovely light supper or lunch dish.

3 large garlic cloves, halved
1 medium fresh hot green chili, seeded
One 2 inch piece fresh ginger, peeled & coarsely chopped
¼ C fresh coriander leaves
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 ½ teaspoons sweet paprika
½ teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
One 3-31/2 pound chicken, skin removed
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
For Garnish:
6 sprigs fresh coriander
2 lemons, sliced
2 large tomatoes cut in wedges
½ cucumber, thinly sliced
1 small onion, thinly sliced

In a blender, combine the garlic, chili, ginger, coriander, and lemon juice, and process to a fine paste. Transfer to small bowl and add the turmeric, cumin, paprika, salt, and oil. Stir to make a coarse paste. Using a sharp knife, score the chicken in several places and place in a shallow baking dish. Rub the spice paste over the chicken, spreading it into the crevices, until the bird is evenly covered: rub some of the paste inside the cavity. Cover the chicken with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 3 hours, or overnight. Preheat the oven to 400. Place the chicken on a rack in a roasting pan. Dot the surface with the butter. Bake, basting with the pan juices several times, 1 ½ hours, or until the juices run clear when the chicken is pierced with a fork. Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and garnish with the coriander sprigs, lemons, tomatoes, cucumber, and onion. Serves 4.

Syed’s Birthday 2009

After more than 20 years together, Syed and I have celebrated many birthdays together! For Syed’s birthday this year I wanted to make it even more special – not with just a pretty gift wrapped box but by sharing something special and unique. So we started the big day at 5:00am and drove to the top of Haleakala for the sunrise. We arrived just as the sun began to peak over Haleakala and clouds. It was breathtaking and absolutely beautiful watching the sky come alive with the reds, golds and yellows. We enjoyed the serenity of the moment and then drove down to Kula Lodge for a delightful breakfast before returning home, walking the dog and then set off to the beach at Wailea for some paddle boarding for Syed. What a day!

That evening we made dinner together as we do most Sundays.
A special day for a very special man. Happy Birthday, Baby,

Ginger, Lemongrass, Lemon and Maple Syrup drink

When my son visits he likes to make ginger tea. From this tea I have added a few more ingredients. My vegan and health nut friends love it!

I had a spa day recently and served this tea cold in wine glasses. For the main dish using a potato peeler I peeled squash into strips like a wide pasta with a fresh macadamia nut pesto.

This drink can be served hot or cold. The ginger is very good for digestion and the lemon is cleansing. It is nice to use maple syrup and stay away from the processed sugars. I like a lot of ginger. If you like less ginger, just add more water after it is finished.

You will need:

Large pot

4 inches of ginger, peeled

2 stalks of lemongrass cleaned down to the white inside, about 5 inches long.

4-6 Lemons- I use Meyer lemons

Maple syrup to taste

With a zestier or food processor, grate the ginger into a pot filled with filtered water. Add the lemongrass. Turn the pot on low and simmer for a few hours. Once cooled strain and add the lemon and maple syrup.

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