kruizing with kikukat

Toaster Oven Food: Layered Date Bars

2026-08-17T12:00:00.000-10:00

Last weekend, sAnother one for the toaster oven.

Tried a recipe which was way too sweet.

Layered Date Bars

Filling: 2 c chopped dates

2 tbsp brown sugar, packed

1 c water

1 tbsp flour

1/2 tsp vanilla

Topping: 2 c flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 c quick oatmeal

3/4 c brown sugar, packed

1 c butter, melted

Combine dates, 2 tbsp brown sugar, water, and flour in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Add vanilla. Set aside to cool. Preheat toaster oven to 350 degrees. Combine all topping ingredients thoroughly. Press 1/2-2/3 of mixture into a 9" square pan. Pour cooled date filling over crust. Spread evenly. Sprinkle remaining topping mixture over filling. Bake 30 minutes. Cool and cut into bars to serve.

Secret Spaghetti

2026-08-10T12:00:00.001-10:00

You will never guess the secret ingredient in this sauce.

The Help put in his 2 cents and said this would go well with andouille sausage. I wouldn't know because I don't particularly care for sausage.

Miso Spaghetti

2 tbsp olive oil

2 c chopped celery

2 c chopped bell pepper

1 clove garlic, minced

3 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped (about 4 cups)

2 tbsp honey

2 tsp fresh oregano leaves

2 tsp pesto or basil

1/4 c white miso

1/2 c chopped nuts

1 lb strand-type pasta

shredded parmesan cheese

Heat oil in a large skillet or medium saucepan. Saute celery, bell pepper, and garlic for 10 minutes. Add tomatoes, honey, oregano and pesto or basil. Simmer for 30 minutes. Add miso and nuts. Serve over pasta and top with shredded parmesan cheese.

Mini Scones

2026-08-10T12:00:00.000-10:00

My gosh, it feels like ages since I posted anything. It HAS been ages! I am still around, but I am cooking a lot less since I got into knitting. Today was a little different. I made scones!

Bake at 400 degrees for 16 minutes on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.

Oxtail Stew

2026-07-27T12:00:00.000-10:00

I'm still not a fan of beef stew, but when it's made with oxtails, even I have difficulty resisting.

Oxtail Stew

2-3 lbs oxtails

garlic salt

2 tbsp vegetable oil

water

1 large onion, chopped coarsely

1 stalk celery, chopped in 1/2" pieces

1/2 tsp sugar

1/4 tsp pepper

2 tsp rock salt

12 oz tomato paste

2 carrots, chopped into 1" pieces or 1/2 lb baby carrots

2 large potatoes, chopped in 1" pieces

Sprinkle garlic salt over oxtails. Heat vegetable oil in a medium Dutch oven. Brown oxtails. Oxtails may also be browned in an oven set to 375 degrees. Flip oxtails as needed to brown multiple surfaces. Add water to Dutch oven until oxtails are just covered. Add onion, celery, sugar, pepper, and rock salt. Cook oxtails for 2 hours. Chill overnight and remove hardened fat the next day. Add tomato paste and cook for 1 1/2 hours. Add carrots and potatoes. Cook for another hour, or until vegetables are cooked through.

Kikukat Mom: Mahogany Chiffon Cake

2026-07-20T12:00:00.001-10:00

I have known my mom for close to a half century, and this is, hands down, her favorite cake.

Mahogany Chiffon Cake

     3/4 c boiling water
     1/2 c cocoa (I use natural, not Dutched)
     1 3/4 c cake flour
     1 1/2 tsp baking soda
     1 tsp salt
     1 3/4 c sugar, divided
     1/2 c vegetable oil
     7 eggs, separated
     2 tsp vanilla
     1/2 tsp cream of tartar

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine boiling water and cocoa. Let cool. Sift cake flour, 1 1/4 c sugar, baking soda, and salt together into a bowl. Make a well and add oil, egg yolks, vanilla, and cooled cocoa mixture. Mix until smooth. In a large bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until almost stiff. Gradually add 1/2 c sugar, and beat till stiff. Pour chocolate mixture in a thin stream over entire surface of egg whites, gently cutting and folding in with a spatula until well blended. Pour into an ungreased 10" tube pan. Bake 55 minutes. Increase heat to 350 degrees and bake an additional 10-15 minutes or until toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean. Invert and cool completely.

Almost Hilo Yacht Club: Salad Dressing

2026-07-20T12:00:00.000-10:00

When I was a more frequent patron of the Hilo Yacht Club, I would often order a spinach salad to accompany my entree. The main reason for ordering the spinach salad was the dressing. It was thick, creamy, and unlike any other dressing.

Almost Hilo Yacht Club Salad Dressing

1/2 c oil

1/4 c white vinegar

2 tbsp mayonnaise

2 tbsp sugar (double this if you prefer it sweeter)

1/2 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Combine all ingredients using a whisk or blender. Chill before serving.

Redux: Warabi Kamaboko Salad

2026-07-13T12:00:00.000-10:00

This is the warabi you make when you don't have shiofuki konbu.

Warabi Kamaboko Salad #2

     1 bunch warabi
   2 tsp vinegar
     1 kamaboko, julienned
     2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
     1 small onion, sliced thin
     1 1/2 oz fubuki tara (shredded codfish)
   1/2 c dried shrimp
     1 tbsp sesame oil
     1/4 c shoyu
     1 tsp rock salt

Clean warabi and chop in 1 1/2" pieces, separating thick stalks from tops. Boil water. Add vinegar. Add warabi stalks and set timer for 3 minutes. When timer has 1 minute left, add tops. Drain and plunge into bowl of ice water. Drain. Combine warabi with remaining ingredients. Allow to sit at least 2 hours prior to serving.

Bread Machine Food: Hybrid Baguettes

2026-06-15T12:00:00.000-10:00

Baguettes

     1 c + 2 tbsp milk (or water)
     2 tsp olive oil
     2 1/4 c bread flour
     1 c whole wheat flour
     1 tbsp sugar
     1 1/2 tsp salt
     1 3/4 tsp yeast

Place ingredients into bread machine pan in the order specified by the manufacturer of your bread machine. Set bread machine to dough cycle. Grease a large baking sheet. Remove dough and place on floured surface. Divide in half and shape each half into a long cylinder. Make diagonal slashes on top surface. Let rise 40 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake loaves for 20 minutes. Remove to rack to cool completely.

Almost Pike Place Chowder: Smoked Salmon Chowder

2023-02-21T12:00:00.000-10:00

Pike Place Chowder is THE place to have chowder when you are in Seattle. I made girlichef's copycat version of the smoked salmon chowder. It was good, but I omitted the garlic and added salt. I also tried to lighten it up a bit by using less butter and 2% milk. It still turned out great.

Smoked Salmon Chowder

1 lb white or red potatoes

1 lb smoked salmon

5 tbsp butter, divided

1 small onion, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

1/2 c flour

3 tbsp tomato paste

3 c water

3 c milk

4 oz cream cheese, diced

6 tbsp capers, rinsed

1 1/2 tsp rock salt

Cook potatoes in a pressure cooker at high pressure for 17 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally. Remove skins from potatoes and cube. Set aside. Rinse smoked salmon pieces and pat dry. Scrape off skin and dark meat (if desired) and discard. Cube. Set aside. Heat 2 tbsp butter in a Dutch oven. Saute onion and celery for 10 minutes. Add remaining butter. When melted, add in flour, and stir well. Cook for a minute. Combine tomato paste and water. Gradually add to Dutch oven. Add potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes. Check potatoes to be sure they are not hard. Add milk, cream cheese, capers, salmon and salt. Heat gently until cream cheese has dissolved and soup is hot. Do not allow to boil.

Hearty Italian Dressing

2021-11-22T12:00:00.000-10:00

This dressing tastes great on mixed greens and shredded cabbage.

Hearty Italian Dressing

1/4 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp cumin

3/4 tsp garlic salt

3/4 tsp sugar

dash of black pepper

1/3 c grated Parmesan cheese

2 tbsp water

2 tbsp EVOO

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1 1/2 tbsp red wine vinegar

1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Combine all ingredients using a hand blender. Chill until ready to serve.

Makes about 1/2 cup of dressing.

I Heart Tarts 4: Pumpkin Custard Tarts

2021-11-08T12:00:00.000-10:00

Perfect for Thanksgiving

Crust (makes 20 2 1/2" tarts)

1 1/2 c flour

1 tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt

1/2 c + 2 tbsp cold butter

1 egg

Combine flour and sugar in the bowl of a food processor. Add cubed butter and Crisco. Pulse until pea-size grains form. Add egg and process til dough begins to hold together. Turn onto lightly floured surface and knead til smooth. Divide into 20 pieces and press into tart shells.

Pumpkin Filling

1 c cooked, pureed pumpkin
6 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp warm water
1/2 c milk

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine pumpkin puree, sugar and warm water. Stir until sugar has dissolved. Add milk, eggs, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice. Use a whisk to ensure spices are evenly distributed. Divide among lined tart pans, filling almost to the top. Place filled tart pans in flat pan. Bake for 25-27 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before attempting to remove tarts from pans.

coffee mochi

2021-10-25T12:00:00.001-10:00

Coffee Mochi

1/2 c butter
1 lb mochiko
2 1/2 c sugar
1 t baking powder
2 c coffee (brewed)
1 c half-and-half
4 eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter, cool. Combine mochiko, sugar, and baking powder. Combine remaining ingredients and stir into ochiko mixture; mix well. Pour into 9 x 13" pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool

D2's Harvest: Ribollita

2021-10-25T12:00:00.000-10:00

Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa) does soups so well. Her ribollita is just fantastic.

Recently, D2 worked in the school garden and brought home a tiny beet with green attached. I was planning to make ribollita anyway, so I diced up the beet and added it with the vegetables.

Ribollita

1/2 lb dried cannelini beans

2 1/2 tsp salt, divided

1/4 c EVOO

1/4-1/2 lb bacon (anywhere from 4-8 Costco maple bacon slices), chopped

2 onions, chopped

1 c chopped carrots

1 c chopped celery

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1 28 oz can plum tomatoes, chopped/pureed

4 c coarsely shredded savoy cabbage

4 c coarsely chopped kale leaves (rib removed)

1/2 c chopped fresh basil leaves

1 can beef broth

2 cans chicken broth

4 c sourdough bread cubes (3/4"), crusts removed

shredded parmesan cheese

Beginning the night before, cover beans with cold water (water level should be at least 1" higher than beans). Cover and store in refrigerator overnight. Drain beans and place in a large pot with 2 quarts of water. Bring to a boil, lower heat, and simmer uncovered for 1 hour. Add 1 tsp salt and cook an additional 15 minutes. Set aside to cool. Heat EVOO in a stockpot (6 qt or larger). Add bacon and onions. Cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes. Add carrots, celery, garlic, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes. Add tomatoes, cabbage, kale, and basil. Cook 10 minutes. Remove half of cooked beans and 1/4 c of bean cooking liquid and puree in food processor (or use immersion blender). Stir into soup. Add remaining beans and cooking liquid to soup. Add beef and chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer 20 minutes. Add bread cubes to soup. Simmer for 10 minutes. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Sandy's Pickled Mango

2021-10-18T12:00:00.001-10:00

I worked with Sandy around a decade ago in the office of human resources. She has since gone on to bigger and brighter things.

She shared some pickled mango with us, and it was the best pickled mango i had ever tasted.

Sandy's Pickled Mango

6 medium size green mangoes*

2 c sugar

1 c white vinegar

1/4 tsp salt

2 red li hing mui

Peel and slice mangoes. Place in a clean jar or container, adding li hing mui among the mango slices. Heat sugar and vinegar in saucepan unti sugar is melted. Add salt. Pour sauce over mango slices. When cool, refrigerate. Mix occasionally to distribute color from li hing mui. Ready to eat in 2 days.

Almost Kuhio Grille: Creamy Dressing

2021-10-18T12:00:00.000-10:00

Creamy Dressing

     1 c mayonnaise
     1/4 c cubed onion
     2 tbsp red wine vinegar
     1 tbsp sugar
     1/4 tsp salt
     1/4 tsp garlic powder
     1/16 tsp black pepper

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Chill 2 hours before serving.

Poor Man's Contessa: Baked Macaroni and Cheese

2021-10-11T12:00:00.000-10:00

I love the food Ina Garten (of Barefoot Contessa fame) makes.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

1 lb elbow or cavatappi (cellantini) pasta

4 c milk, heated in microwave for 2-3 minutes

6 tbsp butter, divided

2 tbsp olive oil

1/2 c flour

4 c shredded cheese (mac and cheese blend or a cheddar blend)

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/8 tsp nutmeg

1/3 c bacon, optional

1 c dry bread crumbs

Boil pasta according to package directions. Drain and return to cooking vessel. While pasta is cooking, melt 4 tbsp butter and olive oil in a medium saucepan. Stir in flour and whisk until thick. Gradually whisk in heated milk. Remove from heat and add black pepper and nutmeg. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Pour sauce over cooked pasta. Add cheese and bacon (if using). Stir gently till well combined. Pour into 9 x 13" baking pan. Melt remaining 2 tbsp butter. Combine with bread crumbs. Sprinkle bread crumbs evenly over macaroni and cheese. Bake for 35 minutes.

Steamed Buns

2021-09-27T12:00:00.001-10:00

Peach Butter Frosting and Cake

2021-03-15T12:00:00.000-10:00

I remember seeing this cake a lot when I was growing up. I don't remember eating it much because, believe it or not, I didn't like cake all that much when I was younger.

Peach Butter Cake

1 yellow cake, baked and cooled in a 9 x 13" pan

1 block butter, softened

3/4 c sugar

1 egg

1 can (15.25 oz) sliced peaches

Pour peach slices into a mesh colander and drain 20 minutes. Using a spoon, mash peach slices against surface of colander until slices are broken up and smashed. Drain for 45 minutes, stirring and pressing peaches against colander periodically. Cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer for 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add in egg and beat until thoroughly incorporated. Stir in drained, mashed peaches. Frost top surface of prepared yellow cake. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Bruschetta

2021-02-22T12:00:00.002-10:00

Bruschetta

     2 lbs tomatoes, seeded and chopped small
     3 bell peppers, seeded and chopped small
     1 tbsp basil, chopped
     1/4 c chopped onion
     1 small can olives, drained and chopped small
     1/4 c grated Parmesan cheese
     3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
     1/4 c extra virgin olive oil + additional for bread
     1/2 tsp garlic salt
     1/2 tsp salt
     baguette, sliced in 1/2" thick slices

Combine all ingredients except for baguette and additional olive oil. Toss gently. Set aside or refrigerate until an hour before serving. Grill baguette slices, brushing one side with olive oil. Spoon vegetable topping onto baguette slices and serve.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

2021-02-22T12:00:00.001-10:00

Forget the other chocolate crinkle cookie recipes. This one will knock your socks off!

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

     2 c flour
     1 c unsweetened cocoa powder
     2 tsp baking powder
     1/2 tsp baking soda
     1 tsp salt
     3 c light brown sugar, packed
     6 eggs
     1 tbsp instant coffee granules
     2 tsp vanilla
     8 oz unsweetened chocolate, broken into pieces
     1/2 c butter
     3/4 c granulated sugar
     3/4 c powdered sugar

Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. In a 2-cup measuring cup, microwave butter and unsweetened chocolate for 2 minutes (50% power) until chocolate is melted. Stir periodically during melting process. Set aside. Stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, stir together, brown sugar, eggs, instant coffee granules, and vanilla. Add melted chocolate mixture and stir until combined. Add flour mixture. Mix until flour is incorporated. Set aside for 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place granulated sugar in a wide bowl. Place powdered sugar in a wide bowl. Use a #50 disher (2 1/2 tsp) to scoop dough, and plop into granulated sugar. Roll to coat. Roll in powdered sugar next. Place on parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove to wire rack to cool

Auntie Kathy's Carrot Cake

2021-02-22T12:00:00.000-10:00

This recipe was given to me by my aunt over a decade ago. She declared it was the best carrot cake, and she was right.

Auntie Kathy's Carrot Cake

2 c flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cinnamon

2 c sugar

1 c oil

4 eggs

8 oz carrots, grated (about 2 cups. . .may use up to 4 cups)

1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13" pan. In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well. Pour into prepared pan and bake 40 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 c butter, softened

8 oz cream cheese

2 c powdered sugar, sifted

2 tsp vanilla or 1 tbsp orange juice

Beat butter and cream cheese. Add powdered sugar and vanilla or orange juice. Beat until smooth. Frost top of cake.

If you prefer to remove cake from pan and frost top and sides, increase amount of powdered sugar to 3 1/2 cups.

Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte Mini Loaves

2020-08-17T12:00:00.000-10:00

Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte Mini Loaves

     1 c butter, softened
   1 c sugar
   1 c brown sugar
   5 eggs
     3 c flour
     1 tbsp pumpkin spice chai Latte mix
     1 tsp baking powder
     1/2 tsp salt
     1/2 tsp baking soda
     3/4 c vanilla yogurt
   1/3 c water or milk
   1 c powdered sugar
   1 tbsp water
   1/4 tsp pumpkin spice chai latte mix

Grease and flour 5 mini loaf pans. Sift 1 tbsp pumpkin spice chai latte mix, baking powder, salt and baking soda over flour. Set aside. Combine yogurt and 1/3 c water/milk. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs, one at a time. Add flour and spice mixture alternately with yogurt mixture, beginning an ending with flour. Divide evenly among prepared pans. Bake for 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan 5 minutes. Turn out onto wire rack and cool completely. Combine powdered sugar, 1/4 tsp pumpkin spice chai latte mix and water. Drizzle over loaves.

Okazuya Meat Loaf

2020-08-17T10:34:00.002-10:00

One of the local okazuya's (now closed) would have meat loaf on their line. I don't remember meat loaf being on okazuya offerings as a kid.

Panko Meat Loaf

click on recipe title for printable recipe

1 1/2 lbs ground beef

1/2 c panko

1 egg

1/3 c onion, finely chopped

1 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp salt

black pepper

1/4 c water

1 can condensed tomato soup, divided

Grease a 9" loaf pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients with 1/2 can of undiluted tomato soup. Reserve remainder for later. Place mixture into prepared loaf pan and bake 40 minutes. Remove from oven and spread remaining soup evenly over top of loaf. Bake additional 10 minutes.

Cupcake Surprise

2019-12-09T12:00:00.000-10:00

Sometimes, a dessert occasion calls for something a bit fancier than a plain cupcake.

Cupcake Surprise

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/3 c sugar

1 egg

1 box cake mix (to make 24 cupcakes), prepared according to directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin pan(s) with 24 paper liners. Combine cream cheese and sugar. Beat in egg. Set aside. Prepare cake mix according to directions on box. Fill each cupcake liner half full (a #40 disher works well). Place a scant tablespoon (#50 disher works well) of cream cheese mixture in the middle of each cupcake. Cover with remaining cake mix batter (again, a #40 disher works well). Bake for 19-21 minutes (whatever cake mix recommends for cupcakes). Cool in pans for 15 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.

Mocha Biscotti

2019-10-28T12:00:00.001-10:00

I spent a weekend trying to get this right.

Mocha Biscotti

1/2 c butter

1 c sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 c flour

1/2 c unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tbsp instant espresso powder

1 tsp baking powder

dash salt

1/2 c nuts, chopped fine

2 tsp turbinado sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Sift flour, cocoa powder, instant espresso powder, baking powder, and salt together. Add to mixture. Add nuts. Divide dough in half. Form each half into a log about 3" wide on prepared cookie sheet. Sprinkle each log with 1 tsp of turbinado sugar. Bake for 25 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes. Slice into 1/2" pieces. Place cut-side down on a low-rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for 15 minutes. Flip over and bake an additional 15 minutes.