Photo by IGARSS 2010 of Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/igarss2010/

A Hawaiian feast, or luau, typically features a wide variety of fish and meat dishes with wine and entertainment. Though many people feel that entertainment is necessary for a modern luau, the food is actually the most important and traditional aspect. There are a number of ways to prepare traditional luau dishes and many of them feature teriyaki sauce, a soy sauce marinade that originated in Japan.

Combining Hawaiian, Polynesian and Asian Cooking

While many of the earliest Hawaiian dishes did not feature marinades or seasonings, many luau foods are actually created from a combination of Hawaiian, Polynesian and Asian cooking influences. Over time, teriyaki marinades became the most common form of marinade in luau cooking. Many traditional Hawaiian dishes, which are commonly served at luau’s, are made with teriyaki sauce.

Photo by IGARSS 2010 of Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/igarss2010/

Kailua Pua’a

One of the most common dishes at a traditional luau is slow-roasted pork, sometimes referred to as Kailua Pua’a. As the name suggests, slow-roasted pork takes several hours to prepare and, unlike many other luau dishes, does not feature a wide variety of seasonings. Typically, slow roasted pork is covered in sea salt and roasted for three to four hours. While traditional Kailua Pua’a is not made with teriyaki sauce, it is always served with long rice that has been cooked in teriyaki sauce. Because the two dishes are always served together, the teriyaki sauce is often available to apply to the pork once it has been plated.

Teriyaki Chicken & Shoyu Chicken

Teriyaki chicken is probably the most common meat alternative to slow-roasted pork at traditional Hawaiian luaus. This traditional dish is placed in a teriyaki marinade prior to grilling. After the chicken has been grilled, it is traditionally served with pineapple and teriyaki-flavored long rice. Shoyu chicken is another common luau dish. Like traditional teriyaki chicken, it is marinated in teriyaki sauce prior to grilling. The main difference is that shoyu chicken is also seasoned with sugar, garlic, and ginger.

PipiKaula

For those who aren’t fans of pork or chicken, or simply want a wide variety of dishes, another excellent teriyaki dish is PipiKaula. Pipi Kuala is a Hawaiian beef jerky that is made with strips of marinated flank steak. The strips are traditionally placed in a drying box with teriyaki sauce, ginger, chili peppers, and garlic. The strips should be left in the marinade for one to two days so that the meat soaks up a large amount of the teriyaki sauce.

Roast Pork and Ahi Poke: Photo by tweber1 of Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/tweber/

Ahi Poke

For those looking for a traditional Hawaiian seafood dish, one of the most common one found at luaus is known as Ahi Poke. Traditionally, Ahi Poke is used as an appetizer. Ahi poke is made with raw ahi tuna, which is seasoned with salt and onion. After seasoning, the tuna should be placed in a marinade of teriyaki or soy sauce and sesame oil and chilled until time for serving.

Two other traditional Hawaiian dishes with teriyaki sauce that are often served at luaus include sautéed teriyaki mahimahi and broiled teriyaki beef. Mahimahi, a naturally sweet fish, can also be baked with a teriyaki glaze.

Photo by Alaskan Dude of Flickr

Although many luaus today include such varied foods as sushi and macaroni salad, more traditional foods, including those that have been eaten in Hawaii, are still served at most luau events, both in Hawaii and on the mainland. If you’re visiting Hawaii, attend a large luau party for an exotic feast. On the mainland, throw your own Hawaiian-themed luau party as the perfect summer event. 

For the ultimate Luau feast, start with Kalua Pork. At the largest luau events, an entire pig may be roasted in a specially made pit oven all day long. For smaller luaus, combine a pork roast with water, liquid smoke, and Hawaiian rock salt. Cook in a crock pot or in the oven, and then shred it once it’s fully cooked. Most people think of a whole roast pig when they think of luaus, but you can closely approximate this delicious dish with a pork roast. 

Another popular meat for luaus is chicken with teriyaki sauce. The sauce gives the chicken the perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors. Serve your chicken with pineapple rings on the side. If you love seafood, Lomi Salmon would be a delicious choice for your luau party. This contemporary dish combines diced tomatoes, crushed ice, and shredded Salmon filet. 

Poi is a unique side dish that is found at nearly every traditional luau. This nutritious dish is made from the root of the taro plant. In some locations, you may be able to purchase fresh poi. To make it yourself, peel, steam, and mash the taro root. Then add water until the consistency is similar to pudding. Chill before serving. Another traditional luau food, which is actually known as “luau,” is chicken wrapped in the leaves of the taro plant, and then baked in coconut milk. Don’t forget about a fruit platter featuring coconut and pineapple, the perfect tropical side dish. Serve the meat with long rice cooked in garlic, soy sauce, ginger, or teriyaki sauce. 

Photo by norwichnuts of Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/veganfeast/

Luau food is often very creative, and this creativity often continues with the way the food is served. Often, the fruit is found in the shape of kabobs, or in a bowl made of a hollowed out watermelon. Many luaus incorporate the use of bamboo skewers or toothpick umbrellas, or use the various foods to create a uniquely shaped display on the buffet table. 

For dessert, nothing would be more fitting than coconut milk. To make Haupia, a traditional dessert, you’ll need three cups of coconut milk and a half cup each of cornstarch and sugar. Mix all of the ingredients except cornstarch in a saucepan over medium heat. Once warm, stir in cornstarch, which will thicken the mixture. Do not let it boil. Once thickened, pour the coconut mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle with shredded coconut, and chill until it becomes firm. If you don’t want to make your own dessert, coconut pie or lemon bread would also make great luau desserts. 

One of the most important aspects of a luau is the food. The modern luau party, a feast for the senses, combines both traditional Hawaiian dishes and newly created luau-style cuisine. To create your own luau feast, use plenty of teriyaki sauce and tropical fruits. Your inspiration for luau party food should come from the tropical environment of Hawaii; any number of tropically-inspired foods will complete the luau feeling.

We decided on Braswell’s Foods in Statesboro, GA.  They were the right size for us and could handle the smaller quantities we would need starting out.  When I say small quantities, I mean they would be making our sauce in 300 gallon batches.  That was a bit more than we were able to make in our kitchen!

Once we decided on Braswell’s we immediately begin the process of transferring our recipe that made about 30 ounces to their process that would make 300 gallons at a time.  So, just multiply each measurement, right?  Not so easy…

In my next post, we learn food math, and why multiplying a teaspoon by 30,000 just doesn’t work.