February 1, 2013

Sweet Potato Pie

Posted by HI Cookery under 02 February | Tags: , , , , , , |
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Sweet Potato Pie

Sweet Potato Pie

February: Sweet Potato Month

As Valentine’s Day draws near, February focuses on sweethearts—and sweet potatoes! Islander follows the old adage that a way to her man’s heart is through his stomach and makes a southern-style staple as a dessert for Highlander. So she bakes a sweet potato pie for her sweetie pie! Instead of peeling, boiling and mashing sweet potatoes, this recipe is made even easier and quicker by using a canned casserole. Sweet potato pie is considered food for the soul—classic and comforting, it is a heartwarming treat to make and eat during Sweet Potato Month.

Recipe

(Adapted from Glory Foods)

Ingredients

  • 1 can (15 ounces) mashed sweet potatoes (we used Glory Foods brand sweet potato casserole)
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk (not quite a full 14-ounce can)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 9-inch deep dish pie crust/shell, raw and frozen

Directions

In a microwavable measuring cup, melt the butter and set aside to cool slightly. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the sweetened condensed milk. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Sweet Potato Pie

Add the melted butter. Stir in the cornstarch. Then mix in the mashed sweet potatoes until the batter is smooth. Pour into the pie crust.

Sweet Potato Pie

Place on a cookie sheet and bake in the center of a preheated oven at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, place foil or pie crust shields around the rim of the pie, return to the oven and bake at a reduced heat of 300 degrees F for another 40 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center of the pie (it should come out clean; if not, bake for another 5-10 minutes). Remove from the oven and cool the pie completely. Slice into 6-8 wedges and serve with a dollop of whipped cream (optional).

Sweet Potato Pie

Notes

  • Draw a heart on the sweet potato pie using the nozzle of canned whipped cream for a festive and fun Valentine’s food.
  • Search our blog for other recipes containing sweet potatoes as an ingredient.
  • Search our blog for more pie recipes.
 

May 10, 2012

Molokai-Mainland Sweet Potato Palau

Posted by HI Cookery under 05 May | Tags: , , , , , , |
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Molokai-Mainland Sweet Potato Palau

Molokai Sweet Potato Palau

May 10: Feast Day of St. Damien of Molokai

We took an inter-island trip with Islander’s parents and brother a few years ago when her Daddy turned 70. The family flew on a small plane from Oahu to Molokai to see where Hawaii’s recently canonized St. Damien served those who were afflicted with Hansen’s disease (leprosy).

Damien de Veuster came to Hawaii from Belgium in 1864 and was ordained a priest in Honolulu. A few years later, on May 10, 1873, Father Damien volunteered to minister to the people with leprosy who were exiled to Kalaupapa and Kalawao on the island of Molokai. He himself contracted the disease and, on April 15, 1889, died among those he lovingly served in the name of Christ.

During our family’s private pilgrimage to Kalaupapa and Kalawao, we were able to personally place floral lei at St. Damien’s gravesite on the grounds of St. Philomena Church that he built. We also toured the other solemn and historical areas where Blessed Mother Marianne Cope and Brother Joseph Dutton worked to support St. Damien’s mission to help the patients physically and spiritually.

Molokai Sweet Potato Palau

In honor of St. Damien of Molokai, Hawaii’s patron saint, we made Molokai sweet potato palau. As we do not have Hawaiian ingredients readily available on the mainland, such as purple Molokai sweet potato and Maui onions, we needed to make some substitutions for this side dish.

Serve sweet potato palau—Molokai or mainland style—on the Feast Day of St. Damien. Aloha!

Recipe

(Adapted from Chef Peter Merriman on Hawaii Magazine)

Ingredients

  • 3 large purple Molokai sweet potatoes (we used regular sweet pototoes)
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 cup Maui onion, diced (we used Texas sweet onion)
  • ¾ cup butter, divided use, softened
  • 1 teaspoon Hawaiian sea salt

Directions

Wash and peel the sweet potatoes. Dice into 2-inch cubes. Place in a large pot and cover with water. Simmer until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain the sweet potatoes.

Molokai Sweet Potato Palau

Place the sweet potatoes in a large bowl with ½ cup (1 stick) of butter. The heat from the sweet potatoes should melt the butter. Stir in the the coconut milk and 3 tablespoons of butter. Mash until smooth. Set aside. In a skillet, saute the onions with the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Cook over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent. Add the cooked onions to the mashed sweet potatoes. Season with salt. Stir well or whip with a hand mixer until creamy. Serve hot as a side dish.

Molokai Sweet Potato Palau

Notes

  • Palau is a traditional Hawaiian-style pudding made of sweet potatoes and coconut cream, which inspired the chef to adapt the cooking method for a savory side dish. It has a pudding-like texture similar to whipped sweet potatoes.
  • St. Damien was buried on Molokai but his body was exhumed in 1936 and brought back to Belgium, his home country and final resting place. Remains of his right hand were returned to Hawaii and re-interred in his original grave on the grounds of St. Philomena Church in Molokai. His relic (foot bone fragment) travels around the world for veneration.
  • St. Damien was canonized on October 11, 2009. In addition to observing his feast day on May 10, Hawaii also celebrates St. Damien’s Day on April 15.
  • The background fabric in the final food photo above is from Highlander’s aloha shirt showing motifs of St. Damien.