[Gummy-Bear]

My friend is hosting a party with a Polynesian theme. She is having Polynesian foods as well. I have no idea what that includes and she doesn't really have an idea either. What do you guys know about Polynesian foods? I'm doing some research but I was also looking for opinions. Thank you for your help, Gummy-Bear

[Dirk Skene]

The first thing that comes to my mind is a pork roast with pineapple Grilled Mahi Mahi would be nice. If you go for the fish I'd suggest getting some nice grill marks & finishing it ogg in the oven. About 450 for 8-10 min. should to do it.

Don't forget the mai-ties.

[Gummy-Bear]

Is Polynesian food interchanged with Hawaiian or is this the completely wrong signal that I'm getting?

[Dirk Skene]

Originally Posted by Gummy-Bear

Is Polynesian food interchanged with Hawaiian or is this the completely wrong signal that I'm getting?

Weeelllll. We may need some advise on this one I have always thought of it as one in the same . But before I went to Singapore I lumped Chinese food together too

I am sure somebody with a good answer will chime in.

[Gummy-Bear]

Also, the research I have done shows that spam is used often. How on earth can you make Spam edible?

[Dirk Skene]

Originally Posted by Gummy-Bear

Also, the research I have done shows that spam is used often. How on earth can you make Spam edible?

I just checked their web site. There are a few recipes there. spam.com. You might give it a shot. Got nothin to lose

[jbd]

Tropical fruits come to mind as does taro root, although many mainlanders won't care for it. Pork is a common island food throughout Polynesia. Seafoods are commonly used. If I recall correctly, which I might not, breadfruit is common.

Spam is a common food item amongst native Hawaiians due to it availibility during WWll. There are places in Hawaii that feature Spam on their menus and the some of the chefs there are quite creative in using Spam.

Items in the vegetable group don't come to mind readily other than the taro.

Much of what would be considered island cooking would have been done in banana leaves etc.

Might want to skip the mai tai's for now :

[Fishmonger Ran]

Spam Musubi is one of my absolute favorite snacks. Super easy to make too.
Go to: cookingcute.com and look it up.
for the perfect recipe. Almost exactly how we prepare in my home.
You may also want to do Poke. Here is a very basic recipe:

1 lb fresh fish (Ahi tuna, Albacore Tuna, Salmon)
2 tsp hawaiian rock salt (the Red Salt is better than the Gray if you can find it) You may also use a coarse kosher salt
2 Tbs Sesame Oil
1 tsp red pepper flake
1 tsp rooster sauce (Chinese Hot sauce)
1 Tbs Ogo (purple seaweed)(nori works just fine if you can't find the ogo)

Hint: You can find the Hawaiian rock salt at Trader Joe's and many oriental stores. As well, you can find the Ogo/Nori and rooster sauce there too.
Cut the raw fish in 1/2 to 3/4 inch squares. Set aside. Ogo only comes dried unless you gather it yourself, so you must soak it for about 2 minutes in cold water. Cut it into 1/2 inch lengths and add to fish. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix with your hands so your fish doesn't get mushy. Refrigerate for about an hour. Right before you serve it, chop some green onions and sprinkle on top. Serve and enjoy!

Fishmonger Ran

[OregonYeti]

Hawaiian food is one type of Polynesian food, however, a lot of it now isn't traditional Hawaiian, but who cares, right? They now have a LOT of influence from Japanese, Korean, other Polynesian, and mainland USA food (others too, maybe?).

BTW I started a thread asking about Hawaiian cuisine just last night

[Fishmonger Ran]

It is my understanding that most Native Hawaiian food comes about how most native foods come about. That is to say that they live off the land and sea and whatever is caught is what is eaten.

Influence from many cultures obviously play into the menu's of today's Hawaiian food. But again, if you look at the more popular (the stuff the locals eat in their homes, not the restaurants) foods, it is always using what is found locally; either grown or harvested from the sea. Importing food is expensive and most locals go to market (still to this day, Saturday Market is probably where the larger percent of the food is bought).

I am definitely not a historian, but you have to take 3 years worth of Hawaiian history in school before you can graduate.

fishmonger ran

[OregonYeti]

Yeah I don't know much. And who draws the timeline when new foods were no longer traditional.

If you go back far enough, even pork isn't traditional Hawaiian

My ex-wife was born and raised in Hawaii and I had some close Hawaiian friends in college, and I learned some things from them. My cousin also married a Japanese-Hawaiian guy and he gave me a great tour when I visited. That's when I got to taste so much of that good stuff.

[MikeLM]

Don't forget to have some "long pig!"

Mike

[KYHeirloomer]

In my experience, when most people say "Polynesian" what they have in mind is a Trader Vic's, Don The Beachcomber" type theme---lots of tiki lamps, and poo-poo platters, and mai-tais to wash it all down.

If that's the case here, check out the book "Trader Vic's Tiki Party," by Steve Siegelman. It's published by 10 Speed Press, and available through Amazon.

While there are other books on the subject, Victor Bergeron (Trader Vic) started the whole thing, and kept it going, lo those many years. So his original drink- and food-recipes would make sense.

To fully carry out the theme, check out Tiki Mugs - Tiki Farm, Inc. for a selection of serving ware, mugs, and bowls.

[Dirk Skene]

Originally Posted by MikeLM

Don't forget to have some "long pig!"

Mike

OK Mike, What is long pig I GOTTA know.

[KYHeirloomer]

He's gotcha, Mike. Now you're gonna have to use the dreaded "C" word

Were they in polynesia? I know they were in micronesia, but don't have a clue about the folk further north.