07 July


Hawaii Mac Salad

Hawaii Mac Salad

July 14
: National Macaroni Day

There is a lot of mayonnaise in macaroni salad, scoops of which are staples in Hawaii plate lunches. While non-locals may think adding stereotypical slices of pineapple  or shredded coconut in the pasta make it more Hawaiian-style, it simply is just the creaminess and moistness of the mayonnaise that locals like and appreciate. Although more mayo in a mac salad is not that healthy, it is considered a delicious side dish that balances other favorite flavors (such as marinated meats or fried foods) when served together with a scoop of white sticky rice. Make Hawaii mac salad for a marvelous mixed plate meal on National Macaroni Day. Aloha!

Recipe

(Adapted from Recipe Matcher)

Ingredients

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni
  • ¼ cup carrots, grated or finely chopped
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1+++++ cup of mayonnaise
  • 1 egg, boiled and chopped (optional)

Directions

Boil the macaroni in water and cook al dente (or according to the guidelines on the package). Drain and rinse the pasta with cold water. Grate or finely chop the carrots. Mix the carrots with the macaroni.

Hawaii Mac Salad

Salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the milk. Add at least one cup of mayonnaise. Chop the boiled egg and add to the macaroni salad (optional). Refrigerate for at least an hour to allow the flavors to blend. Before serving, mix in more mayonnaise. Use a scoop to serve.

Hawaii Mac Salad

Notes

Oven-Fried Chicken

Oven-Fried Chicken

July 6: National Fried Chicken Day

Islander loves fried chicken—so much so that she gave it up for Lent one year. After the 40 days of fasting were over, we celebrated her weeks’ long “sacrifice” and ate at a fast food chicken chain for our Easter brunch!  Perhaps she could have satisfied her cravings for fried chicken if it were baked?!? Oven-fried chicken is just as juicy, tender and tasty but less greasy and messy to make at home. It really is not bad for being baked so she can have her guilty pleasure during Lent and on National Fried Chicken Day!

Recipe

(Adapted from Betty Crocker)

  • 6-8 chicken legs (or 3 pounds favorite chicken pieces)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2/3 cup flour (we used Bisquick Heart Smart low fat brand)
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper

Directions

Line a baking pan with foil. Put the butter in the pan and bake in a preheated oven at 425 degrees F until melted. Keep the pan hot. Meanwhile, combine the flour or Bisquick with the paprika, salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken pieces in ths mixture.

Oven-Fried Chicken

Place the chicken in the buttered pan. Bake for 35 minutes, then turn the chicken to the other side and bake for another 15 minutes or until cooked through.

Oven-Fried Chicken

Notes

Anisette Cookies

Anisette Cookies

July 2: National Anisette Day

Little Italy in New York City was just about an hour away by train+subway+foot from our apartment in New Jersey. We only lived on the East Coast for two years (due to Highlander’s job), so we tried to take advantage of visiting various Manhattan neighborhoods on the weekends whenever we could.

In Little Italy, after eating pizza or pasta dishes, we indulged in different desserts—delicious dolci (sweets)—from cakes and cannoli to coffees and cookies. One of the latter, anisette cookies, looked festive with candy sprinkles. They are soft, crumbly and buttery with a distinct aroma and unique flavor of anise.

Whenever we bake anisette cookies at home, it brings back good memories of us roaming around Little Italy in New York City. Try these traditional Italian treats for National Anisette Day.

Recipe

(Adapted from Italian Dessert Recipes)

For the cookies

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, fresh squeezed
  • 1 teaspoon anise extract
  • 3 cups flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 egg

Directions

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until smooth. Stir in the lemon juice and anise extract. In another bowl, combine the flour, salt and baking powder.

Anisette Cookies

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ones and mix to form a cookie dough. Moisten the cookie dough by beating in the egg. Roll into one-inch balls and place about two inches apart on a foil-lined cookie sheet that has been lightly greased.  Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely. Meanwhile, prepare the glaze.

Anisette Cookies

For the glaze and topping

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • colorful non-pareils

Directions

Set the cookies on a wire rack over a lipped pan beneath it to catch any drips. In a bowl, mix the powdered sugar with milk to make a thick glaze. Gently dip the tops of the cooled cookies with the glaze a few at a time. Sprinkle with colorful non-pareils immediately before the glaze dries.  Yield: Approximately 3 dozen.

Anisette Cookies

Notes

  • Anisette also refers to an Italian anise-flavored liquor.
  • Sprinkle red, white and green non-pareils on top of the glazed cookies for an Italian or Christmas theme.
  • Search our blog for other Italian or cookie recipes.

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