I've only had the pleasure of going to Hawaii once, with my husband's side of the family for his birthday a couple of years ago. We spent a week in Lahaina, on Maui. These memories now are so bittersweet. Last Fall this beautiful town was tragically hit by wildfires, leaving many people without homes, cherished land, friends and family. I am both grateful and heartbroken that I experienced this place prior to this devastation. Mostly grateful as I am reminded often to keep this special place and the beautiful people who call it home in my thoughts and prayers.
During the last couple of months in the PNW, I've had a hard time dealing with the lack of sunshine and so many grey skies. Before moving here, by this time of year the sun would be regularly shining where I was from. Long into March it's a blessing to get two days in a row with the sun. And even when it is - it can often still be windy and cold.
This March also brought with it my 30th birthday. One of my most cherished friends gifted me a candle and cash - my two favorite kinds of presents (consumables or cash...for consumables). I was spending the weekend on Whidbey Island with my husband and we went for breakfast at the Flower House Cafe - a darling little cafe nestled in gardens, with excellent coffee, pastries, and an incredible giftshop. I highly recommend a visit. While there, I spent a good hour thumbing through their large assortment of cookbooks and right before giving up on finding one that really spoke to me, I found one sole copy of 'Aloha Kitchen' at the bottom of a pile, waiting just for me. It was a love at first site experience that I have with cookbooks that I just know are one of "the ones."
This book is beautiful, thought provoking, and full of new and exciting flavors for you to try!
We are BIG fans of the Shoyu Chicken, the wontons, and the spam fried rice. Oh - and the mac salad is absolutely glorious. Links to the cookbook and Alana’s info can be found below!
Basking in the sun,
-sara
BAKEHOUSE RATING - 10/10
