Hawaiian Holiday Feast: Bring the Islands to Your Celebration

Crisp Coconut Shrimp with Chef Carter

At Pure Joy, we appreciate and cook for our own families the traditional holiday food laden with cinnamon and extra butter, in basically everything. As the days get shorter, darker, and colder (yes, even in Santa Barbara!), we are craving a little extra warmth and something, yes, different.  

Kahlua Pork Sliders

Founding Chef and Owner, Lynette, Crowned Miss Waikiki, grew up on the beautiful islands of Hawaii and brought with her the cherished traditions and recipes we lovingly use for those custom menus for our clients. 

Here we explore switching up that honey-baked ham for something a little more unique and fun (like a delectable Kahlua Pork) for the holiday season. So, Mele Kalikimaka, as we are inspired by the aloha spirit, and, what better time to share that joy than during the holidays?

Drawing from her upbringing on island holidays, we’ve crafted a Hawaiian-Inspired Holiday Feast, perfect for warming up the coldest winter nights.

Seared Ahi

Beachy Bites

Golden Banana Fritters powdered sugar

Seared Ahi checkerboard of crisp wonton squares ginger wasabi dollop & alternating spicy tuna tartare 

Crisp Coconut Shrimp mango chutney

Garlic Ginger Chicken

asian chili peanut dipping sauce

Pork & Pineapple Sliders

slow-roasted Kahlua pork with pineapple napa slaw

Festive Island Style Grill

Teriyaki Glazed Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites

Hoisin Grilled Flank Steak

Grilled Fresh Ginger Teriyaki Boneless Chicken Breasts

pineapple mango salsa

Mahi Mahi

lemon basil butter

Miso Glazed Sea Bass

frizzled ginger & mango chop chop

Teriyaki Glazed Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bite

Mahi Mahi with Lemon Basil Butter

Tropical Fruit

Tropical Sides

Brilliant Fresh Tropical Fruit

on Green Bamboo

Coconut or Island Sticky Rice

Classic Hawaiian Potato Salad

in Banana Leaf Cones

Hawaiian Sweet Rolls

Ramekins of Sweet Butter

Platters of Fresh Grilled Local Vegetables Sweet Sesame Chili Vinaigrette   

Chef Manned Poke Station

A great interactive "Hawaiian Fresh Style" station where our chef prepares a couple of different kinds of Poke; Ahi and Salmon deliciously tossed together with Fresh Ginger, Scallions, Toasted Sesame Seeds, Maui Onion, and other Island Flavors presented in Cosmo glasses with Lettuce Cups and Crisp Wonton Chips   

Coconut Cupcakes

Aloha Sweets

Pineapple of My Eye

rum-poached pineapple topped with coconut sorbet toasted coconut

Macadamia Nut Tortes 

rich & tiny with Belgian chocolate

Cupcakes

white chocolate, coconut, and lemon cream

Pineapple Mojito

Sippin' on Sunshine

Pineapple Mojitos

fresh pineapple, limes & farmer’s market mint

Mai Tai

the original mai tai with house made fresh pineapple gomme

Strawberry Margaritas

local organic strawberries & freshly squeezed citrus

Banana Fritters Recipe

30 pieces

Beat together in a bowl;

1 egg

1/4 c milk

1.5 Tbl brown sugar

½ c flour

.25 Tsp baking soda

3 bananas, peeled & angle cut into 10 slices each

Heat 3 inches of oil in a heavy bottom saucepan or deep fryer to 375 degrees. Add the banana slices 5 or 6 a time to the batter, coating them well.

With a long slotted spoon remove the banana slices a few at a time and place them into the oil. Fry the bananas for 2 to 3 minutes, until lightly browned, turning them once. Drain them on paper towels and transfer them to a serving platter. Repeat the process until all of the bananas have been fried. Sprinkle them with the confectioners' sugar and serve warm.

As the holidays approach and we gather with friends and family to celebrate, we hope you’re inspired to add a tropical twist to your festivities. This year, switch up the usual theme and embrace a Hawaiian Holiday Celebration. Ditch the ugly sweaters and swap them for fun, festive Hawaiian shirts instead!

Let the warmth of the islands fill your home and your heart, creating memories that will last long after the season ends.

 Cheers to new traditions and the joy of sharing delicious meals with loved ones –

 Aloha~~~~

Written by Shayna Cogan

Pure Joy Catering & Santa Barbara Venues