Events and News Foodies can Use

Gaylord's Sage Mojito made with Koloa Rum. Daniel lane photo

There’s a lot of news foodies can use and fun foodie events for Kauai this month. Bowling for charity while enjoying local food from Mark’s Place, new products from our favorite food makers, an exciting new beer on tap at The Feral Pig, the Prince Kuhio celebration, drag racing and more! And don’t forget to cast your vote for your favorite food growers and makers, you might win a trip to Vegas! Read on to learn more.

Saturday, Lihue Bowling Center, 3 to 9 p.m.

Bowl For Kids’ Sake has become an important annual fundraiser for Kauai Big Brothers Big Sisters. In 2011, this event raised over $21,000 to support one-to-one youth mentoring programs, helping children who are most at-risk, while inspiring them to become confident, competent and caring individuals in our community. Entertainment, food from Mark’s Place/Contemporary Flavors Catering, signature “Totallly Awesome 80’s” T-shirts, bowling, prize drawing. Advance reservations of bowling lanes required.

Farming Course begins tomorrow

Ken Lindsey at Ono Organics. Daniel Lane photo

Ken Lindsey is the owner of Ono Organics, part owner of Kauai Roots Co-op, and instructor at the Kauai Community College. His Sustainable Gardening and Farming course provides the necessary basic knowledge and skills for a successful start at gaining food independence. Starts March 3 and ends on May 12, every Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m. $275. To register for the course call 245-8318.

Malama Kauai

Tasting Kauai's Hawaiian Paella with Kauai Shrimp. Daniel Lane photo

Whether you are a visitor or resident, a fun way to spend the day is by participating in interactive cooking demonstrations, and garden tours facilitated by Malama Kauai’s new Garden Network Coordinator Colleen Carroll. Malama Kauai is also putting together a free online cookbook. Submit your recipe, and it may end up on the menu at a local restaurant! They are taking recipe submissions now. Contributions include our Hawaiian Paella, Tom Pickett’s Mac-Nut-Aroons, Hukilau Lanai’s Warabi and Sausage using  Kanishiro pork and local fiddlehead fern, Collard Pie from Pat Grenz, owner and operator of Pat’s Tacos, and Jackfruit Salsa from Sun and Lisa of One Song Farm. Call 808-652-7890 for details.

News:

The Feral Pig

Ken Lindsey at Ono Organics. Daniel Lane photo

We just spoke with Dave Power, owner of The Feral Pig in Nawiliwili. He called to say he has a new beer on tap. This is exciting news because just last week, we had a taste and it’s something special! The barley wine has a burnt malt flavor, and at 10 percent alcohol (double the normal amount for a beer), it packs a punch! Life and Limb is a rare beer, and Dave says he’s the only one in the State to sell it. 11 ounces cost $9. If you’re not a beer person, he makes old-fashioned cocktails handcrafted to order. Try The Feral Pig burger with Kauai beef, ground pork and topped with seared pork belly. It’s Dan’s favorite burger on the island.

MidWeek Kauai

Hanalei Taro & Juice Co. Plate Lunch. Photo by Daniel Lane

It’s time to start voting for your favorite Island companies, plus you can win a trip to Las Vegas just for filling out the ballot. On the back cover of MidWeek Kauai you will find a ballot. Once you fill it out, you can mail it in or drop it off at Longs Drugs, Foodland, Times, Big Save, and Kukuiula Market. Deadline is March 5. You can pick up extra copies at Foodland. There are so many great places to eat here, but with 25 categories in the Food and Dining section, we have plenty of options. Favorite plate lunch? Hanalei Taro & Juice Co. of course! Favorite Farm to Table Restaurant? The Garden Cafe. Favorite Farmers Market? Kauai Culinary Market at Kukuiula Shopping Village. But, don’t let us influence your vote!

Garden Island Chocolate

Grand Cru Kauai with 80 percent Garden Island Chocolate

Speaking of favorites, we love the fact that owner Koa Kahili grows and makes his own chocolate. He’s the only chocolatier on Kauai to do so, and the second in the United States. GIC has just released the “Grand Cru Kauai” a 85 percent plain chocolate bar. Right now, our favorite is the Mayan Spice, but the Grand Cru sounds like it could take first! You can find these bars at most health food stores on the island, or meet Koa at the Waipa farmers market on Tuesday.

The Right Slice

The Right Slice Apple Banana Pie. Daniel Lane photo

Too bad there isn’t a “Favorite Pie” category because we would give owner and baker Sandy Poehnelt our vote. When we know we are going to be in Lihue around lunchtime, we call ahead and pre-order a pot pie. She has it ready for us when we get there. Of course, we could take a frozen one and cook it at home, but we like eating on her quaint lanai. Sandy has just added two new pot pie flavors, Garden Variety for veggie lovers and Creamy Italian for meat lovers. Of course, she has sweet pies filled with Kauai tropical fruit also!

Monkeypod Jam

And then there’s our favorite jam maker. Owner Aletha Thomas is celebrating National Marmalade Week with fresh batches of Meyer Lemon and Tahitian Lime Marmalade, Caracara Marmalade, Meyer Lemon and Sage Marmalade, and a Citrus Medley using Caracara navel oranges, Ruby grapefruit and Meyer Lemons. You can find her and her delicious tropical fruit spreads every Friday at Hanapepe Art Night; Saturdays at the Kauai Community Market and Namahana Market, and Wednesdays at the Kauai Community Market. If you can’t make it, check out her online store.

Anahola Granola

We’d like to congratulate Anahola Granola on their 25 year anniversary, and today, Hawaiian Airlines will feature them on their in-flight menu. Our favorite way to enjoy the Mango Ginger is over Greek yogurt mixed with local honey and mangos. Yum!

Kauai Island Brewing

We look forward to local beer brewed at Kauai Island Brewing. You can enjoy a pint, and some food at their Kauai Island Brewery and Grill in Eleele. The brewery is still in the process of opening, but you can keep up with their progress by liking their Facebook page.

Kauai Independent Food Bank, Spring Food Drive, March 1 – April  30

The Kauai Independent Food Bank hopes to raise 40,000 pounds of nutritious food and $40,000. Watch for the brown grocery bags and remittance envelopes in the Garden Island Newspaper in late February, fill them up, and take them to any of the following drop-off sites: Hanalei, Hanapepe, Kalaheo, Kapaa, Koloa, Lihue, and Waimea Fire Stations, as well as our Food Bank warehouse in Nawiliwili. Every dollar and pound of food donated will bring a smile to those in need.

Spam

Yes, it’s a state favorite. The attack on Pearl Harbor brought this “meat” to Hawaii when American soldiers needed familiar sustenance that stored well. Our favorite way to enjoy it is in a warm and portable Spam musubi snack. In fact, we could use one right now! Hormel is celebrating its 75 anniversary with “Sir Can-A-Lot, an animated “spokesperson” that hopes to can mealtime boredom. I wonder if they’ll put him on a surfboard…

Upcoming Events

Island School 33rd Annual Gala Auction, March 10th, 5 to 11 p.m., Kaua’i Marriott Kalapaki.

“An Evening in Paris,” will feature old-world charm, fine French wine and cuisine, unique entertainment, and spectacular live, silent, and dessert auctions. Proceeds support tuition aid for students in need. For more information, email auction@ischool.org or call 246-0233.

Garden Isle Racing Association, March 10

A new season of drag racing at Kauai Raceway Park begins. It’s strictly action for quarter-mile bracket racing for all classes: Jr. Dragster, Street Bikes, Street Class, Sport Compact, Muscle V8, Pro ET & Top Gun. All are welcome to this family event, and there are several food trucks selling ono grinds. Gates open at 11 a.m., timed trials from 2 to 6 p.m. Competition begins at around 7 p.m. For more information call Bobby Barros at (808) 635-6034.

2012 Prince Kuhio Celebration, March 11 – March 26

Prince Kuhio was born on Kauai’s south shore near Poipu Beach on March 26, 1872. His birthday is celebrated as a Hawaii State holiday. Kauai celebrates the man for two weeks with many free events including learning how to make salt at the Hanapepe Salt Pond. This salt can only be given as a gift, and can not be purchased in stores. If you can’t make the free demonstration, watch the video to see how it’s made. Click here for a list of events.