Food suggestions for a Luau crop?

[Tink&Belle's Mom]

I thought that this might be the perfect place to get some ideas, what with cooking AND scrapbooking being subjects of this board. . .

A friend and I are hostessing an all-day crop in a couple weeks, and we were wanting to do a tropical/luau theme. But since neither of us has ever had the opportunity to attend a luau, we are kind of at a loss as to what to serve! We would like to be able to scrapbook in the morning, too, so would prefer something make ahead or not to difficult to put together.

Do any of you great cooks with more knowledge than we have any recipes or suggestions for us? ANY help would be greatly appreciated!!

TIA
Kim

 

[PamCo88]

You could make sweet and sour chicken ahead of time and just reheat it for lunch. Something you ccould have out all day would be fruit or even dried fruit.

Have fun.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Anything pork will work as a main dish. One idea I've used is to cook down an inexpensive piece of pork (or roast or rib leftovers when I have them) until they fall apart into shreds. Then mix in some barbeque sauce. Keep it warm in a crock pot. Either serve as is or if you'd prefer a more sandwich approach you can have bread or buns.

Also anything coconut flavored or with pineapple. We did a luau as part of a troop event about a year ago and I know we made a fruit platter with a variety of tropical fruits - papaya, mango, pineapple then served it with a caramel dip. Pineapple and caramel from O'hana's! Actually any of those foods would be great and I'd think a lot of them could be made ahead and either kept warm or reheated.

We usually put together a recipe booklet for the girls when we do a cooking event I can check that but probably won't get a chance until the weekend! Sorry

Deb

 

[mrp4352]

We just did a Luau for my SIL's graduation. We served pinapple chunks with yogurt dip and coconut to dip them in; chicken salad sandwiches, swedish meatballs (her request, actually, though, they went well with everything), 7-layer dip and chips, ham with pinapple and cherries on the outside, brisket and a veggie/relish tray. We had homemade ice cream and virgin strawberry daquiries for dessert (with the umbrellas in them, of course). Everything but the chicken salad sandwiches were make ahead (and if you just served the salad, you can make that ahead too, we just didn't want soggy bread).

BTW - we make chicken salad with just shredded chicken, mayo and toasted sliced almonds - delish! If you serve it as a salad, you might cut green grapes in half and stir them in also!

Good luck and have a fabulous time!