Dinner getting a little ho-hum lately? Enliven your meal with something new, something tropical – a DIY luau with these luau-themed party food ideas. Have your kids help you mix up a pitcher or two of Caribbean cooler. As the main course, offer an assortment of island-inspired dishes like fruity grilled shrimp skewers, mini Hawaiian sandwiches and Hawaiian tortellini salad. For dessert, serve up big slices of coconut cake and chocolate liliko’i parfaits. Besides helping you make the meal, you might have your kids create decorations like big flowers made from tissue paper and leis made with silk or paper flowers.
Caribbean Cooler
Capture the flavor of the islands with this Caribbean cooler from Kraft. Mix together lemonade flavor drink mix in cold water. Stir in pineapple juice and a cup of cream of coconut. To add a bit of pizzazz cut up chunks of fresh pineapple to float in the pitcher.
Fruity Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Whisk together fresh lime juice, olive oil, garlic and crushed red pepper. Toss with shrimp, mango and pineapple pieces. Marinate and then thread the pieces onto skewers. Heat over a hot grill until the shrimp is cooked through. Serve these fruity grilled shrimp skewers from All You over rice.
Mini Hawaiian Sandwiches
These mini Hawaiian sandwiches from Rachael Ray are quick and easy to make. Start with chopped rotisserie chicken and add in macadamia nuts, canned lychees, red grapes and mayonnaise. Put some of the mixture in miniature cocktail rolls or even purchased Hawaiian rolls.
Hawaiian Tortellini Salad
Here’s a cool spin on Italian pasta and fresh island ingredients: this Hawaiian tortellini salad from The Slow Roasted Italian. Cook a bag of frozen cheese tortellini pasta according to the package directions. Stir in chopped bell peppers, cucumbers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, ham and pineapple tidbits. As a dressing, use some of the canned pineapple juice, mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, garlic, ginger and a dash of sugar.
Incredible Coconut Cake
This coconut cake recipe from Taste of Home takes time to put together but it’s worth the effort – there’s creamy coconut in every bite! Stir flaked coconut into the vanilla-flavored batter and bake in cake pans. Smooth a frosting of cream cheese, butter and coconut extract between the baked layers and top with toasted coconut.
Chocolate Liliko’I Parfaits
Layer brownie pieces in clear cups along with a passion fruit-infused custard and fresh whipped cream – that’s the base of these pretty chocolate liliko’i parfaits from Sunset. The final touch is a generous helping of chocolate sauce.
