Zippy's Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

My husband served his LDS Mission in Hawaii and he loves Zippy's Macaroni Salad. I have come to love it as well. We were really excited to find this recipe a few years back. We always serve it when we make Kalua Pork or Shoyu Chicken.

Ingredients

1 small package small elbow macaroni
1 cup mayonnaise (best foods is best)
1 tablespoon finely minced onions
2 tablespoons finely minced celery
1 small carrot finely minced
salt & pepper to taste.

Directions

Cooking Process:

Cook macaroni according to package instructions. You want the macaroni cooked but not soggy. Rinse cooked macaroni with cold water, drain and put aside in refrigerator until completely cooled.

Mince onions, carrots and celery until extremely fine. I like to use a food processor. Once macaroni is completely cool (cold is best), add mayonnaise, salt, pepper and onion, celery, carrots. Mix well. Add additional mayonnaise if necessary, especially before serving.

Notes

• Do not overcook macaroni.
• Be sure to rinse, drain and cool macaroni before mixing
• Only use best foods mayonnaise, that is what Zippy's uses...no miracle whip!!
• Before serving, always finish salad by adding more mayonnaise if necessary, salt and pepper.

Loco Moco (Hawaiian Soul Food)

If you have not had Loco Moco you are in for a treat. Loco Moco is classic Hawaiian soul food. This Dish consists of 4 components: a hamburger patty, rice, egg, and brown gravy. This is one of Brandon's favorit dishes he had in Hawaii on his LDS Mission. He loves Hawaiian food and has shared that love with our family. Our Kids absolutely love this. It may sound like a unlikely combination but it tastes amazing.

This is what you will need...

1 Pound Hamburger

1 Onion

Eggs

Rice: Use regular medium grain white rice (Sticky Rice).

Gravy: I sometimes make my own gravy, tonight I cheated and used Kroger Beef Gravy

This is the steps to prepare each part of this yummy Hawaiian dinner.

Burgers: 1. Gently mix the hamburger, grated onions and salt/pepper. Form either 2 big patties or 4 smaller size patties. 2. Heat frying pan until very hot. 3. Place hamburger patties on the pan/grill and let sear just until juices start appearing on the top. Flip over and cook for a couple more minutes. You will want the burger slightly charred but still tender on the inside. 4. Place burgers on the side.

Gravy: (I cheated and used Canned Beef Gravy) 1. Pour a little broth into the same pan and incorporate the yumyums, then pour in the rest of the broth. 2. Bring to a boil and let reduce for about 3-5 minutes or so, depending on taste, for a more potent gravy. 3. Turn down heat to a simmer. 4. Add couple dashes of worcestershire sauce. 5. In a seperate bowl, mix flour with some water. 6. Using a whisk, slowly whisk in the flour/water mixture until gravy is nicely thick & smooth. 7. Turn off heat and mix in the butter until well blended.

Eggs: Traditionally, the eggs should be sunny-side up. The secret to a good fried egg is to fry the egg slowly on low heat until it’s cooked… just don’t overcook it! It also helps to have the eggs thawed to room temperature before cooking them.

Assembly (bottom to top): Rice on bottom -> Burger -> Egg -> Gravy all over

It is so good! Brandon taught me that I should say it is ono! Ono (OH-no) is a Hawaiian word, meaning delicious. Trust me when I tell you that this is a recipe that you must try. I thought when Brandon explained it that it sounded strange, but then I tasted it and fell in love. My kids usually want a second helping. Do your family a big favor and take them to Hawaii for dinner tonight. Their plate will look just like this...

Let me know how you like it by posting in the comments below.