For National Macadamia Nut Day, enjoy them raw, roasted, or chocolate-covered.
Or try them cooked into a favorite bread, muffin, square, or fudge. They’re also great on chicken, fish, and pork, or tossed on a salad. Or try a little decadence, like my Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Bread.
Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Bread
Here’s a great way to enjoy the Polynesian flavors of Hawaii any time!
1 c flour
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
½ c butter, softened to room temperature
½ c sugar (not a substitute)
¼ c brown sugar
2 lg eggs
2-3 T sour cream (full fat)
1 c mashed ripe banana
¼ c milk
1 T grated fresh orange peel
1 T pure vanilla extract
½ tsp almond extract
1 c flaked, unsweetened coconut
1 c crushed pineapple, drained
1 c chopped macadamia nuts
Topping:
¾ c coarsely chopped roasted macadamia nuts
¼ c finely chopped macadamia nuts
¼ c flaked, unsweetened coconut
2 T brown sugar
Combine flour, salt & baking soda in a small bowl; set aside. Cream butter and sugar together in a large bowl. Then beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the sour cream, banana, milk, orange peel, and extracts. Stir flour mixture into butter mixture just till combined. Then fold in coconut, pineapple, and nuts. Spoon batter into well-buttered (or parchment paper lined) 9×5” loaf pan. Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle on top, pressing down into the batter slightly. Bake in center of oven at 350°F for 1 hour. Test doneness by inserting a wooden toothpick into center. If it comes out clean, it’s done. (If not, let cook another 10 min. Test again.) Let cool 1 hour on wire rack; then remove from pan and let cool on the rack to room temperature. Store in refrigerator, wrapped airtight.
KISS Tip: I prefer roasted, salted macadamia nuts, but you can use raw, if you prefer.
“The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”
Various days throughout the year have been established to recognize the blight on mankind’s history that slavery has been. Today is one of them… International Slavery Remembrance Day. Most of us are well aware that for hundreds of years, millions of Africans were captured, sold, and transported across lands and oceans to serve as slaves. In truth, humans have been enslaving each other since long before recorded history. Lauding power over other people in such an inhuman fashion is just one despicable part of our earthly existence. There are likely no people on this planet whose heritage does not include suffering at the evil hands of others. And this slice of man’s inhumanity to man continues today… worldwide. Yes, even in America. As I find myself saying far too often, we humans are very slow to evolve. Yet, we must keep trying. Never give up the fight for equal dignity for all people and a world without racism, discrimination, bigotry, and hatred.
My actions and words have told you who I am for years. (Love me or hate me, but you know me.) Now… If you were paying attention and saw that I suddenly advocated in opposition to what I have already done and said, you would rightly wonder what on earth was going on with me. Just saying, though it’s not happening.
“Learn from yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not stop questioning.”
Celebrate National Rum Day with a favorite rum cocktail. Great for summer is an icy cold punch.
Super Simple Truffle Fries
On August 7th each year, National Sea Serpent Day commemorates the sightings of sea serpents, sea dragons, and sea monsters. Sea serpent lore may have been inspired by oarfish which can grow to be 50 feet long, but they are rarely seen because they live thousands of feet below the ocean’s surface. But, who knows!?!
“If you want to fly, give up everything that weighs you down.”
Friends always have our backs, whether we know it or not. On the International Day of Friendship and every other day, I am thankful for a wealth of dear friends. Thank you dearly. I am grateful for all relationships worldwide that promote and encourage compassion and friendship.
KISS Tip: For Blazin’ Buffalo Wings, follow the above recipe, but after dipping the cooked wings in the sauce, place them all on your foil tray and sprinkle with a combination of 2 T chili powder and 1 T cayenne pepper. Return to the grill as directed.
