Kalua Pork

      I've been fortunate enough to be able to go to Hawaii twice now. Thank you little brother for living there! The first time I went I was 3 months pregnant with my youngest daughter and was traveling with our oldest (then the only, in her mind) who has about 18 months old. It was hands down one of the worst experiences of my life. Smells and sounds were overwhelming. I was fatigued  and irritable. I was trying to make the best of it but really I just wanted to be home. I was also getting extra grumpy because I could see the awesomeness around me but felt restricted and unable to fully enjoy certain things.

 

     Kalua Pork was one of those things. Even in my weakened state I could see it was something I was definitely missing out on. I even tried to keep some down but with no luck. So when I returned on this last trip, flying solo and feeling well, it was on the top of my list.

 

 

 

     There are a ton of recipes that you can find with a quick Internet search. But as with any good meal, what makes it truly special is the culture around it, the history behind it and the tradition it keeps. Kalua pork is no different. Traditionally it is slow cooked in an underground earthen oven lined with banana leaves. Like every little old Italian woman and her marinara recipe, every true Hawaiian seems to have his/her own Kalua recipe. The blend of herbs and spices is usually a secret and though not many still use the underground oven (except in tourist luaus) the slow cook process and time is usually maintained.

 

 

     Brother brought me to one of his favorite spots for Kalua Pork out on the infamous North Shore of Oahu. Kono's is small, breezy, super relaxed and AMAZING! A small counter with a few smiley staff greets you and you order a "plate lunch" (standard with small salad greens, sticky rice, and a pineapple slice...of course) off the menu boards on the wall. Your meal is up in minutes and you're free to take it to go or eat in.

 



 

 

      Their style was right up my alley so I was doubly pleased when we opted to eat it and soak up the experience.

  

 

  

     The flavor and texture far exceeded my expectations, and the visit with my brother on the North Shore made it a truly epic day!

 

 

      It was so good I even had it with my poached eggs for breakfast a few mornings later!

 

 

 

I'm already scheming a way to create my own version of Kalua Pork, because there is no way I'll be able to go long with out that flavor! I'll definitely keep you posted.

 

Simple City Sam

 



Pallet Window Boxes

      Spring is in the air! I am really looking forward to planting this year. I am in love with my urban garden. Last year we made our first venture into pallet gardening and did pretty well! We certainly had our pitfalls but overall had tons of veggies all summer. This year we will again be pallet gardening, and making some much need adjustments and improvements to the plan. There will be more on this when we actually get to planting, probably around the Memorial Day weekend.

 

     One new thing we are doing this year is pallet window boxes. I love to upcycle and recycle, you all know that by now! So pallets are great. These are beat up and worn, which I personally love. They have enough spacing to allow for adequate drainage while also having enough support to withhold the weight of the soil and plants. I salvaged these from a "free pallet" stack. I asked my hubby to cut the bottom and top off of one pallet and BAM!, I had 2 window boxes.

 

     

     My oldest has been begging to plant flowers this year again. I love this idea! So, Daddy put one of the window boxes right outside the window that the kid table is next to, so every time they sit down for a meal or snack at their table they will see the flowers. She is thrilled and already making a list of the flowers she wants!

 

 

     My window box is right outside the kitchen window and will be filled with fresh herbs. In the past I have kept fresh herbs in pots, which is a great method that I am happy to have employed. I could walk outside and get fresh herbs for cooking easily. Now I will be able to actually reach out of my window while cooking and grab what I need!

 

 

     Total cost was $0 and I am over the moon. Fresh herbs are a big money saver and a favorite of chefs everywhere. Also, allowing my oldest to explore, plant, and nurture all through her own desire is fantastic. I can't wait!

 

It really is the little things...

 

Simple City Sam 

Pearl Harbor Historic Sites

 

     On one of my random weekday adventures I decided to check one thing off my "must see" list and visit Pearl Harbor. I have a degree in archaeology and an enormous love of history and respect for the military (probably due to both parents serving, just a guess). It's not really a big surprise that visiting a historic site would actually, in fact, be my idea of a good time. What is more is that I actually prefer going to museums and such on my own. I'm the kind of person who wants to read every placard, study every hand written card, and experiment with every "hands-on" exhibit they have to offer.

 

     I was not prepared for the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites...

 

 

Looking toward the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial

 

Looking toward U.S.S. Bowfin Memorial

      

     The vastness of the site itself is awesome. The harbor is huge in comparison to the small fishing harbors of New England that I am used to. One can imagine the expanse there on land of military buildings easily. The surrounding area, known as Pearl City, is still bustling with multi-cultural offerings and amenities that one would expect near a military facility. 

 

U.S.S. Arizona Memorial

   

Middle of the Visitor's Center

 

     But the entirety of the grounds were silent. It was actually a very busy day. Tours for the U.S.S. Arizona and U.S.S. Bowfin were sold out and the museum and gift shop were full of people. But still, everyone was quiet as if we all had the same sad feeling of... remorse, perhaps.

 

 

    

     The museum itself was beautiful. It is split between two small buildings with open concepts and structures. One building focuses on and details life on Oahu and in the world prior to the war and the attacks. The second building focuses on the attack itself and the very immediate aftermath. Throughout the exhibits one is surrounded by the fragrance, temperature and feelings of the breeze and overall being of  the Hawaiian landscape you are now a part of. It is difficult not to imagine yourself there on December 7, 1941. Above is the original draft of the "Date That Will Live in Infamy" speech, complete with presidential notation. Pretty amazing.

 

 

     The curators did an amazing job trying to detail the roles of all citizens affected during the attacks, from women, to children, Japanese immigrants to surviving servicemen. It was some of the most difficult information to get through, yet of course, some of the most compelling.

  

 

 

 

     This collage welcomes visitors to the first building. It is here that I was ultimately struck with the notion that some, many or all of these folks may not have made it to December 8th. 

 

 

     This collage bids you farewell as you leave the second building. Here my suspicions were confirmed and I was able to learn a little bit more about those who had welcomed me in at the onset. I read of those whose lives were lost and those who had survived. It was often difficult to determine who had (or has) suffered more.

 

 

 

     I spent just over 3 hours in the museum, which was a cost free visit (I'm still me!). I did not take either tour out to either wreckage. I had a difficult enough time on land. I knew I would not be able to withstand the connection to those lost out over their watery tombs. I found myself with teary eyes on more than one occasion, overwhelmed by my surroundings, as it was. In addition, it saved me money.

 

     I will never forget this trip. It was powerful, humbling, amazing, awe-inspiring, eerie, beautiful and so much more all at once. I am truly thankful to have been able to experience some small part of the energy there.

 

It is a place I wish we could we all visit in our own time.

 

Simple City Sam

Brussels Sprout Chips

 

     Do you remember those delicious kale chips we made a while back? Well here is family favorite that are made just the same way. Kale chips may be the favorite of my oldest, but my youngest loves the Brussels sprout chips.

 

     In the late summer and fall we will buy 2-3 stalks a week at the Farmer's Market and use them in lots of meals. Chips are easily our favorite way to prepare them. If they are on the stalk still, carefully use your knife to cut them from the stalk. If you've purchased them off the stalk you're already ahead of the game. 

 

 

     Clean and remove any unwanted leaves from the Brussels sprouts. Then cut them down to bite size pieces, usually we just cut them in half. We've gotten pretty good at being able to dis-assemble these guys buy hand, but it's not exactly a skill everyone possesses. So, for a time saving tip, after you have them halved, pop them into a large Ziploc bag and add 1-2 tablespoons olive oil (depending on the amount of sprouts you're making), salt and pepper. Seal up the bag and shake vigorously! Make it a game. Give it to the kids for a turn, dance across the kitchen with it...I find "Shake Senora" to be my most effective accompaniment...just so you know. Make cooking fun!

 

     Once the sprouts are fully coated they will have also been "roughed up" enough to lose several leaves. This is good news, the more leaves the better. In fact I pull as many leaves off as I can. The leaves will be what crisp up and get the most chip-like, the sprouts will toast up but will never get fully crispy like a chip. So free leaves are good!

 

     Put the sprouts and leaves onto a baking sheet or glass baking dish and proceed as you would with the kale chips. Have the oven at 350 deg F and check/toss them about every 15 minutes until they get to your desired crispness. They will take a bit longer than kale chips, ours usually go for about 45 minutes. They are an amazing side dish that can be served hot or cold, and have converted many Brussels sprout haters to lovers. I love converting haters, too, it can be so gratifying! To amp up the side dish we will often add crumbled bacon to the process. This preparation is a big hit at picnics and BBQs.

 

Good luck, I hope they become a favorite of yours, too.

 

Simple City Sam

 

Pineapples...in Hawai'i

      Alright, well, I'm back. I'm just beginning to feel more human and less zombie-like. I am super excited to get back to my blog, which I missed very much, and to share some of my trip too! So let's get cracking.

 

 

     As you know we are experimenting with growing our very own pineapple. So I was sworn by oath of an almost 5 year old to "visit the pineapple farm". Being that I was under oath I made it a priority. I got to spend a delightful afternoon with my brother driving through the pineapple fields and exploring the island. There were literally fields as far as the eye could see, all in various stages of growth. The fields above are all new, very small plants (like our back home...minus the cat teeth marks).

 

 

     There is obviously a ton of information to be found and scoured about Hawaii's pineapple industry. Reports vary widely as to the significance of it's size globally. One site reports a mere 2% supply to the world, while another boasts 60% of canned pineapple supply to the world. Sites even vary as to when the fruit, indigenous to South America, even reached the islands, with dates varying from the mid 16th century to the early to late 19th century. Regardless, all sites note it's importance in Hawaiian history and present economy. My visit to the Pearl Harbor Memorials and Museum (which will be shared soon) even highlighted the significance of the fruit. After the attacks on the bases nearly all field workers were pulled from the fields and brought into service to help with the war effort and re-stabilization of the island. School children were given time off from school to tend the fields and help in the cannery so that they could in turn help the war efforts too! The reach and scope of the industry and the plant itself is truly amazing.

 

 

     Slightly more mature plants are seen in these fields. The acres and acres of growing land are mere yards from the road. This picture was taken from the car. The large, dug ditches are the only real deterrent to wayward motorists drunkenly taking out a whole field.

 

 

     The Dole Visitors Center was enormous and a lot of fun. The huge indoor market is gorgeous and filled with individual local vendors, as well as just about any tourist- type gift you could possibly want. Including pick your own pearls, leis, of course farm fresh pineapples and locally grown (some at Dole) coffee, and t-shirts of any variety. A person could get lost in there and be perfectly content.

 

     The outside was exquisitely manicured and well maintained. We found amazing "ornamental" pineapples used throughout and I was blown away by these really cool red pineapples. Apparently they are not edible (or used that way, I guess) but are vibrant and beautiful and favored in many of the vacation home landscaping locally.

 

     There was also a pineapple field maze for kids. Of course I didn't have mine with me, but from the shrieks of laughter I could here through the living wall, it sounded awesome!

 

 

 

     I sent pictures, reporting back to the girls. They were thrilled to see the fields and couldn't believe their eyes! Neither could I for that matter. It was a great day spent (especially with my little brother) and even better memories made!

 

You'll see more from this day in the up coming posts. Thanks for sticking around, it sure is nice to be back!

 

Simple City Sam

 

Earth Day

    

     Earth day is every day, for us anyway. We take great pains to recycle, cut down waste, and live as organically as possible. We don't do this because we're trying to prove anything. We do it because it matters, to us and everyone. If you're waiting for "the other guy" to care about your environment for you, you'll be waiting a long time.

     Take charge of your life and how you live in your world. Use today as a spring board. Start something you've been meaning to start. Start making laundry soap, log on and sign up for Garbage  to Garden composting, start planning out your garden and then just roll with it.

I promise it will make you feel empowered, it will make you feel like a contributing member of our world and it will make you feel good!

Good Luck!

Simple City Sam

Bougainvillea

     It's not terribly fragrant, but ever since I was small, living in the Caribbean, it has been one of my favorite flowers. It is simple in appearance, yet complex in structure, beautiful, yet rugged. It is also one of a few 13-letter words in the English language, I think that's pretty cool. All in all, I'm very happy to have so much of it around!

Simple City Sam