Hawaiian Food and Recipe

WHAT IS MANJU?  YOU ASK

Hawaiian Dessert Recipe, Manju

IMAGINE a soft, fluffy steamed bun, about the size of your palm.  Its fresh and hot, it’s just out of the steamer. So take a careful bite, surprise, it’s filled with a sweet, tasty bean paste.  That’s what Manju is, a steamed bun, with a sweet bean paste, not overly sweet, but just the right amount of sweetness.  

But that’s just the beginning. Take a closer look around any shop that sells Manju and you’ll find many variations. Apples, coconut or even sweet potatoes. It might even be a filled with pumpkin. If that’s not enough, how about peanut butter, yes peanut better!  I know it sounds freaky, freaked me out too and it still isn’t my favorite, but the kids love it! 

Baked flakey crust Manju, is another variation, and a whole other treat. When you make your own Manju, think of this as a little pie, that you can hold in your hands without making a mess. For the filling it can be any one of the mentioned. Or if you have a favorite pie filling, use that.     

WHEN TO ENJOY MANJU

The perfect time to enjoy Manju is anytime, as a snack, as a dessert, family gatherings, Hawaiian parties, luaus, any time you want a tasty Hawaiian dessert treat. Traditionally it is severed at special Japanese celebrations, such as New Years.  Manjus are so popular that it can also be bought at 24 hour Conveniences Stores, as a quick on the go snack.  For parties, it is the perfect no fuss, no mess dessert. No plates, forks or spoons to wash. Mingling in the crowd or sitting at the table chatting with friends and family, Manju  makes a great finger dessert.  It can’t stain your favorite party outfit, the kids can’t spill it so make some Manju for your next Hawaiian party!

MAKING MANJU RECIPE

 The Manju recipe is really easy to make. I know, I know you heard that a thousand times!  But listen to this, I am no talent in the kitchen, I tend to made stupid blunders, over and over, I am not a professional baker. So if this dessert recipe was easy for me, it should be a snap for you and anyone else. Maybe one day I tell you about some of my more major “oops” moments. It is a good laugh. “If Yan Can Cook, So Can I” is my adaptation of Martin Yan’s catch phrase from his Chinese cooking show.   

Manju Recipe Tips

 Ok so my mother won’t think I am a total idiot and to show her that I did figure out something for myself. If you don’t have a steamer, get a pie pan, make a whole bunch of holes in it, enough holes in it so that water won’t collect in it. Get a pot that the pie pan will fit in. Also get a tuna can or any other can that is short and wide enough to balance the pie pan on top of. This is your steamer, a pot of steaming water with a tuna can on the bottom with a pie pan balancing on it. Now go make your own Manju.   

Better yet, get a wok and you can fit two maybe even three stacks of Manju at once!  That should be enough to feed a gaggle of family and friends, right?!   

Oh and if you always wanted a Wok, now it the perfect time to get it!  Have I got some Hawaiian Stir Fry recipes for you! 

Did I ever tell you about the “Koho Girls”?  They all work at a bar/restaurant, they are my friends, they are my taste testers and they have to kiss me with joy before I am happy with any Hawaiian dessert recipe! So many kisses from this Hawaiian dessert recipe!

So take the Manju recipe and a Wok and make a Hawaiian Dessert recipe that will thrill everyone at your Hawaiian party.

PART THREE, THE MANJY RECIPE

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