Among the Tiniest of Stars

November 07, 2023 by Amanda Barberis

I’ve spent my entire life dreaming of the tiny tropical islands of the Southern Pacific ocean. And no island so far has made an impression on me quite like Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. My first visit to the Cooks Islands was back in 2004. It was about 5 years after living in American Samoa and just 5 years after I moved to Hawaii. At this point in my life, I believed I had already “seen” paradise but it wasn’t until I woke up that first morning on Rarotonga did I finally “feel” it.

Rarotonga was my childhood vision board. Everything I ever dreamed about when I thought of the South Pacific was there. The vibrant colors, the dewy air, the fragrant flowers, the white powered sand, the crystal clear lagoon…I finally found it. That’s not to say that I didn’t find these things in Samoa or Hawaii, but in the Cooks, it just hit different. I still can’t quite explain it.

Soon after I discovered Rarotonga, Aloha Airlines was sold and sadly I had no longer had a direct route to the Cooks from Honolulu. I figured that another airline would quickly scoop up the the route so in the meantime my husband and I started exploring the rest of the South Pacific. Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti again, again, and again but still, no Cooks. I had finally decided that if there was no direct route by the time a big birthday came up ( still a few years from now ) then I would go back to the Rarotonga via New Zealand. Then suddenly out of nowhere, Hawaiian Airlines added Rarotonga to their destinations in May of 2023! And without much thought, I booked a flight immediately and I finally got back to my favorite island in the world…20 years after my first visit.

The famous Rito hats of the Cook Islands. I finally had to break down ( $$$ ) and buy one.

Plant-based eats at the Lucky Rooster Eatery in Avarua.

My husband REALLY enjoying his breakfast wrap at Kai and Co.

My favorite beach in the world. Titikaveka

Our absolute favorite place to eat on Rarotonga. Beluga. My husband said they had the BEST sandwich he’s ever had. and it was vegetarian!

Locally made pareu at the Saturday markets

Muri Beach in front of the Pacific Resort.

How to get there

Hawaiian Airlines currently flies to Rarotonga from Honolulu once a week. You can also get to Rarotonga on Air New Zealand through Auckland. I believe they have daily flights.

Where to stay

We stayed at the Muri Beachcomber ( Mid- Range $$ ) in Muri Beach. The staff, location, and the grounds exceeded all expectations! Included in the price were airport transfers, a daily simple breakfast, housekeeping, bikes, kayaks, SUPs, and snorkel gear. The only complaint we had was the bed. If you like a VERY firm mattress then you’ll be fine.

High End $$$

The Little Polynesian - aiming to stay here next trip!
The Nautilus
The Pacific Resort

On a budget $

Tropical Sands - Adorable. And the sweetest couple from Maui are the owners and also lifelong friends of mine.

Where to eat - In my experience, I found that the food selection was better in the Cooks vs. Tahiti. The dishes seem to be a bit “lighter”, plant-based was easier to come by, and the vegetables/greens seemed a lot fresher. Also, wine was much cheaper. Gotta love those New Zealand Sauv Blancs!

Beluga - Casual breakfast/lunch
The Muri Night Market - casual dinner - starts at 5pm, 4 nights a week
The Lucky Rooster Eatery - casual
The Pacific Resort - casual, happy hour, and fine dining ( dinner ) - open all day
Kai and Co. Eatery - casual breakfast and lunch

Where to Shop - I’ll be honest, there isn’t a whole lot of shopping on Rarotonga. At least not much for me, which is probably a good thing. However, do not miss the huge market on Saturday in downtown Avarua. Everything you would want from the Cook Islands will be there.

Punanga Nui Market on Saturday - The best place to buy the Cook Islands famous Rito Hats and Rito fans, Cook Island black pearls, locally made pareus, local coffee, vanilla, and wood carvings by local artists like Henry Tavioni.

Things to do - We’re not much into “activities” on vacation. We like to rent a car and explore on our own which is exactly what we did this trip. Unfortunately, October can we a bit “chilly” ( highs in the mid 70s lows mid 60s ) and windy ( tradewinds were at an unrelenting 20 mph the whole week ) which was my exact opposite experience when I went to the Cook Islands for the first time in late March. That being said, Rarotonga is all about the gorgeous lagoon and I love taking a SUP or kayak out to the motus in the Muri area. This is hands down my favorite activity to do.

Also maybe try…

Hiking - there’s a famous cross island trek worth checking out
Driving the old “inner” road around the island.
Visiting the Wigmore waterfall.
Whale watching - July through October is Humpback whale season in Rarotonga. We were lucky to see some incredible breaching from the beaches!
Long beach walks - I’ve spent a lot of time in the South Pacific and I have to say that Rarotonga has some of the most beautiful ( long ) white sand beaches out there. If you’re lucky, one ( or 3! ) of Raro’s many sweet pups will join you. My favorite places for a long beach walk include, the Muri area, Titikaveka, and Nikao/Black Rock Beach near the airport.
Spa Treatments - There a many spas to choose from on Rarotonga. I had an incredible massage at the Pacific Resort and my husband did as well at the Nautilus.

Helpful tips

The New Zealand Dollar - Gotta love the exchange rate in the Cook Islands compared to Tahiti. On this trip the exchange was only .59 NZD to the US $1. I ordered about $500 NZD from my local bank in Hawaii before our trip so I didn’t have to deal with the local ATMs on the island. Cash is great to have on hand because some of the local eateries and craft markets are cash only.

Rent a car - I personally have to have a car when I’m traveling but you don’t need one in Rarotonga. There is a bus that circles the island daily. I rented a small car from Avis and could pick it up near our resort but drop it off at the airport when we departed.

Go to Aitutaki - This is one thing we blew it on. We absolutely should have booked this in advance because by the time we got to Rarotonga the flights were full. On the next trip to the Cooks, we plan on staying on Aitutaki for a few days. But if that’s not in the budget, there’s the Aitutaki Day Tour with Air Rarotonga. This came HIGHLY recommended by several people we spoke with.

KIA ORANA!! xo

Holoholo - Oahu

October 07, 2023 by Amanda Barberis

About 10 days after the Maui fires we decided that we needed to go to Oahu.

Firstly, everything was feeling really heavy at home. Both my husband and I were suddenly out of work, and we found ourselves getting more and more depressed about our immediate future. Getting off Maui, even for just a couple of days, just sounded like something we really needed to do for our own sanity. Secondly, my husband has never been to Oahu. Anytime I’ve ever mentioned this to anyone the reaction was always, “What?! Like, how?! LOL”. This is primarily because my husband has lived on Maui for over 24 years so the thought that he’s never been to the “Big City” seems almost comical. Not knowing what our future holds currently on Maui, we have no choice but to look into possible alternatives. Oahu seems like the most obvious and practical move if it comes to that. That being said, my husband needed to at least see the place and even more importantly, sit in it’s famous traffic jams so he could at lease envision possibly living there. And lastly, we have really close friends that moved there a few years ago and we had yet to visit them.

So with miles, a place to stay, and way too much time on our hands, it was a no brainer. So off we went and I’m so grateful we did. Oahu is just like I remember it, crowded surf breaks, exhausting traffic, delicious food, clear blue water, dramatic green mountains, and still absolutely beautiful.

Here’s a small look into our four day island hop. We stayed in Manoa Valley and spent most of our time driving the windward side, checking out the north shore, eating way to much food, we even got a quick surf in. A hui hou…

Kailua Beach - Fun fact, my parents got married here in 1972. The day after Richard Nixon was re-elected. LOL

Favorite Oahu finds - I can only imagine how much we missed, but we’ll be back soon.

Don Quijote in Waikiki - This is the biggest discount store in Japan and they are also found on Oahu. I’m seriously obsessed! Incredible Japanese candies and snacks and really inexpensive but cute ceramics and so much more.

Arvo in Kakaako - Cutest little coffee shop in a cute part of town. Worth a stop.

Morning Brew in Kailua - Another cute coffee shop that we stumbled into. Everything that came out of the kitchen looked delicious too.

Down to Earth in Kailua - Down to Earth is a popular health food store located in several locations around Hawaii but the one in Kailua is so well done. I love grabbing their Summer Rolls or Tofu Musubi for a quick beach snack when I want something easy and cheap.

Guava Shop in Haleiwa - I’ve followed this cute Northshore boutique for years on Instagram and finally was able to see it in person. SO CUTE!! Full of great brands like Acacia, Spell, and Seafolly. Loved everything in there.

Marugame Udon in Waikiki - This is a must visit. My husband is completely obsessed now with Muragame’s huge noodle bowls and large tempura selection. So much so, that we are going there for lunch in 2 weeks during a long layover in town. It’s that good and CHEAP!

Waioli Kitchen and Bakeshop in Manoa Valley - Beautiful but hidden gem with a delicious bakery and breakfast cafe.

Wildfire

September 29, 2023 by Amanda Barberis

Aloha

On August 8th 2023 life on Maui changed forever. I’m not quite ready to go into much detail regarding the devastating wildfires right now but as most of you already know, Lahaina Town is gone.

I moved to Lahaina as an optimistic 22 year old after a brief stint in American Samoa in early 1999. I lived on Front Street in a nice condo that I shared with two of my co-workers at the time. My rent was only $350 a month. I didn’t have a car, but I could easily walk to my retail job just 5 minutes away. Eventually, I bought a bike and I would ride from one end of town to the other for exercise. When doing so, I would practice my Hawaiian by reading the names of the streets out loud as I past by them… Papalaua, Wainee, Luakini…Makes me so sad just thinking about that now.

Fast forward 20 years to 2018.

My husband and I decided to move from West Maui to the Windward side. The move was a big one for us since we still worked in Lahaina and had to commit to a long daily commute. But we wanted our own home with a yard, something large enough for family to visit, and I wanted to live where it just rained more. If you’ve ever spent time on Maui, you know that the westside is quite dry and has been getting drier and drier over the years. Especially since the sugarcane industry has been shut down.

Wildfires have been getting more common and leeward Maui was starting to remind me more and more of the drought land I grew up in. Any native Californian ( sadly ) knows that dry brush, strong wind conditions, and power lines are a recipe for disaster. I can’t tell you how many wildfires I have personally experience on Maui in the last 15 years but the frequency is starting to get alarming. A notable fire was back in 2018 when Hurricane Lane passed south of the Hawaiian islands and Lahaina Town was threatened by massive inferno. Luckily, structure damage was kept to a minimum but some homes were destroyed. Still, it was nothing compared the fire sparked by Hurricane Dora this summer. Knowing what we know now, 2018 should have been a major wake call.

By a stroke of luck, my husband and I weren’t working on August 8th. I shudder to think what would have happened if the fire occurred on a normal work day for us. With no cell service and no power, I would have probably left my office in Kaanapali and tried to make my way down to my husband’s place of business in Lahaina. Just like I’ve done countless times in similar situations. Especially if I knew the road to get home was closed. But we weren’t working that day, so we didn’t have to experience the absolute hells cape that so many of our friends had to endure. The first hand stories I have heard of the frantic rush to escape the wildfires are absolutely unbelievable. So many of our friends lost their homes, a few lost family members and some lost pets. Almost everyone I know lost their livelihood, including us. Many of those that didn’t lose their homes are still in the “burn zone” and can’t return because there’s no power, no water, and no sewer service. It’s all just so sad and some people have no choice but to move off island for now.

So where do we go from here? I honestly don’t know. I don’t think we’ll know for awhile? Do we leave? We definitely don’t want to. I’m hoping the answer will eventually present itself. As of now, we plan on staying and hopefully we can.

I’m trying to keep this post brief but I want to thank you all for the love, support, and aide that our country ( and the world! ) has given to this small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. We most definitely feel it. And please come visit Maui soon. we need you more than ever right now.

Mahalo and a hui hou…

Baby Beach in Lahaina, Summer of 2022. One of Lahaina’s many lost gems. #lahainaforever

Return to Paradise

June 06, 2023 by Amanda Barberis

French Polynesia is truly stunning. Obviously, this is no secret but every time I go, it still blows my mind. Moorea is the last place we went before the world shut down in 2020 and I was worried at the time that it would be several years before we would be able to get back. Luckily, this wasn’t the case and Moorea is up and running and very open for business.

In fact, this was the busiest I’ve ever seen the islands. Nothing compared to what I’m used to on Maui but definitely busy for Tahiti. Hotels and pensions had been booked up for months this time. We grabbed what we could, but unfortunately, we were not very happy with what we saw when we arrived. So, on the first day, we spent hours looking for alternative lodging but had no luck. Everything was booked. Not the biggest deal but it was a bit of a bummer. That being said, we didn’t let it ruin our trip because we really don’t spend much time in our accommodations anyway.

Some big plus points this trip…

We had a chance to check out two new properties on the island that were really beautiful, The Moorea Lodge and the Island Beach Hotel. We’re really looking forward to possibly staying at one of these on our next trip down to Moorea. We also spent a lot of time at the Hotel Hibiscus dining at their restaurant, Le Sunset. Always a favorite place of ours. We’ve stayed and dined at the Hotel Hibiscus on previous trips and the staff there is seriously the best.

Eimeo Clothing - I typically don’t shop much in Tahiti because so much of what I see there is easily found in Hawaii. However, I have to say that I was very impressed with the selection of island-style clothing at Eimeo. Luckily they will ship internationally because I definitely need more of it.

Favorite ways to spend our days…

Temae Beach - I can’t get enough of this place. You have to see it in person to see what I’m talking about but there’s something magical in the water there. Absolutely stunning snorkeling and the color of the water is what South Pacific dreams are made of.

Paddling around the Motus - Directly off the shore near the Les Tipaniers resort lie a few small islands that are easily reached by kayak, SUP, or small boat. We typically rent some SUPs from the Tipnautic and spend a few hours cruising the lagoon.

Driving around the island - We rent a car from Avis every time we go to Moorea. I love having the convenience of easy transportation, and the ability to grab groceries at the supermarket when we need them. The Avis rental agency is across the street from the ferry dock which makes things super easy when you arrive on Moorea. Other places worth checking out, are the Haapiti area, Mount Belvedere, Cook’s Bay, and Ta’ahiamanu Beach at Opunahu Bay.

Photo Journal…

Casa Vincenzo. Incredible Italian food in the middle of the South Pacific.

Before you leave

Check with your local bank to see if you can order some local cash ( XPF ). I found this to be super handy for a few reasons…

Most international flights arrive fairly late at night. On this particular trip, 4 jumbo jets arrived within 1.5 hrs of each other ( ugh ) and customs took almost 2 hours to get through. That being said, we would have taken a chance with ATMs at the airport and we needed cash immediately for a taxi. I usually take at least $500 US in XPF ( Pacific francs ) for a week. A lot of small local businesses have a minimum $ purchase requirement for credit cards. I’ve also found on past trips that the ATMs on Moorea frequently run out of cash.

Arrival Night

If you are not planning on staying on Tahiti Island and are planning on traveling to an outer island the next day, you will need to book somewhere to stay the first night on Tahiti Island. As I mentioned before, most international flights get into Papeete pretty late at night and for the most part, you just want to get somewhere quick so you can get to bed. If you are flying out of the Faaa airport the next morning, a lot of people opt for the Tahiti Airport Motel. I have yet to stay there but it is literally across the street from the airport so it’s really convenient. If you decide to take the ferry, I highly recommend staying at the Hotel Kon Tiki in Papeete. It’s nice and modern and right across the street from the ferry building.

Other places to stay near Papeete

The Hilton

Tahiti la Ora Beach

If you are unable to arrange an airport transfer with your hotel, you can catch a taxi at the airport. When you exit the airport, you will see taxis lining up to your right. A taxi to downtown Papeete was approx $25-$30 this time.

Getting to Moorea

When I’m traveling on to Moorea, I prefer to take the ferry vs flying on Tahiti Air. By taking the ferry, you avoid dealing with the airport again for just a 15 min flight and the ferry gets you to Moorea pretty quickly ( 25 min fast ferry or 45 “slow” ferry )

Ferry options - Armeiti or Terevau

***I have never bought tickets in advance for the Aremiti Ferry and I have never had any issues getting them just prior to checking in. There is also a nice cafe at the ferry building ( closed on Sundays I believe ) as well as a cafe on board the boats.

Places to stay on Moorea

Highend

The Sofitel

Mid-range

Moorea Beach Lodge

Moorea Island Beach Hotel

Hotel Hibiscus

Les Tipaniers

Places to eat on Moorea

Places to Shop

Eimeo - Moorea

The Papeete Markets - Tahiti Island

Lendroit - Moorea

Chocolate Strawberry Cheesecake

April 01, 2023 by Amanda Barberis

Chocolate Strawberry Cheesecake ( Vegan, 6-inch pie )

For chocolate the crust

1 cup pecans or walnuts
1 cup ( pitted ) Medjool dates
1.5 Tb cocoa powder
1 Tb maple syrup
pinch of sea salt
Mix all ingredients in a food processor until well combined (dough should look like a crumble). Press into a 6-inch springform pan. Please make sure you de-pitted all the dates before blending.

For the strawberry “cheesecake “filling

1 cup of raw cashews soaked (for at least 4 hours or up to overnight)
1.5 cups fresh strawberries, destemmed, rinsed and dried
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup coconut oil (raw, extra virgin)
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
Drain and rinse cashews. Then, with a high-speed blender, blend all ingredients until a thick “yogurt-like “ consistency is formed. Pour filling on top of the crust in the spring form pan. Add whatever topping you like ( vegan chocolate chips, fresh fruit, or nuts ) Place in the freezer to set overnight. To serve, remove from freezer 30-60 minutes before slicing to defrost. Refrigerate any leftovers for up to 3-4 days.

Kauai Staycation

March 05, 2023 by Amanda Barberis

Two and a half weeks on Kauai…

This was the longest vacation that we’ve ever taken in our home state. So no need for a long haul flight, the inevitable jet lag, and complicated currency exchanges. Instead, it was just a couple of small suitcases and then a quick island hop before landing on one of our favorite islands in the Pacific.

We stayed at two locations in Princeville, the Westin Villas, and then on to a VRBO after that. I would say that we ate in at least half the trip this time. Restaurants are sparse and busy on the Northshore so having accommodations with a kitchen was very helpful.

We spent most of the trip traveling between Kilauea and Haena just surfing, free diving, hiking, and eating packed lunches out of our broken cooler. It was exactly what we needed.

We did a lot of shopping too. We always do when we visit our neighboring islands. I came home with new muumuus, shell jewelry, and some nice additions for the home. Here’s a short list of our favorites…

Ohana Shop
Hunter Gatherer
Sway Hanalei
Aloha Xchng

And we ate at all of our favorite places…

Ama
Baracuda
Trilogy Coffee
The Bistro
Sushi Girl
Kauai Juice Co.
Nourish Hanalei
The Hanalei Gourmet

If anyone has any questions about Kauai, please feel free to reach out. Same with Maui of course.

Aloha XOXO

Huge sushi burrito at Sushi Girl in downtown Kilauea

GF Ginger Snap Cookies

June 15, 2022 by Amanda Barberis

These are so good! Packed with fiber, healthy fats, and yummy plant protein. I’ll admit, sometimes I eat a few of these for breakfast!

GF Ginger Snap Cookies - makes about 10

1 can ( 14 oz ) chickpeas - drained but not rinsed, you want a little bit of the aquafaba left on the chickpeas
1/2 cup almond flour
1/3 cup almond butter
1/4 cup maple syrup or local honey
1/4 cup gluten-free flour ( I like Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour )
2.5 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 inch fresh ginger root, skin removed
1 Tb coconut sugar for dusting ( optional )
*Add all ingredients to a highspeed blender ( except flour ) and blend until smooth. Scoop out the dough and place it in a medium-size mixing bowl. Next, fold in the flour and then place it in the refrigerator to thicken up a bit ( at least one hour ).
*Pre-heat oven to 350F
*Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
*Take about 2 Tbs of the cookie dough and place it onto the cookie sheet and form a ball. The dough might be a little soft so use a spoon to shape it. Sprinkle with coconut sugar and bake at 350 F for 20 minutes.
Enjoy!

Crispy Sweet and Sour Brussel Sprouts

June 06, 2022 by Amanda Barberis in Healthy Lunch, Salads, brussel sprouts

As I mentioned last week, I had TWO delicious dishes at Ama in Hanalei. The Burmese Salad and then this dish, their Nuoc Cham Brussel Sprouts. Since Nuoc Cham contains fish sauce, this is my best attempt to not only re-create but to veganize this insanely good appetizer.

Crispy Sweet and Sour Brussel Sprouts - makes a great appetizer portion for 2 or 3, an air-fryer was used for this recipe. An oven can be used as a substitute. See instructions below.

3 cups rinsed and trimmed Brussel Sprouts cut in half lengthwise
1/3 cup de-stemmed cilantro
1 Tb chopped fresh mint
2 Tbs chopped salted and roasted peanuts
1 red Thai chili sliced
1 tsp avocado oil
1/3 cup pickled onions - recipe follows
3-4 Tbs ginger dressing - recipe follows
Pickled Onions - makes a large batch. I store this in a 32oz Mason jar in the fridge
1 large red onion, thinly sliced into half-moons
1.5 cups white vinegar
3/4 cup water
3 tsp salt
1.5 Tbs cane sugar or coconut sugar
10 black peppercorns
This is a great condiment to have on hand in the fridge. Pickled onions go great on so many things! Especially Asian-inspired salads and Mexican food.
*Slice a large red onion into half-moons and place in a large Mason jar. Add peppercorns.
*In a small saucepan, add vinegar, water, salt, and sugar, and then bring to a simmer over low heat. Once sugar is dissolved, pour the liquid over the sliced onions and then cover. Place the sealed jar in the fridge to chill. Pickled onions should keep for a couple of weeks in the fridge.
*It’s best to make the pickled onions at least a day ahead
Ginger Dressing - makes a little over 1/2 cup of dressing
1/4 cup avocado oil
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1.5 Tbs cane sugar or coconut sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 Tb grated fresh ginger
*Mix/shake all the ingredients until the sugar is dissolved.
Brussel Sprout Base
*Rinse, trim, and cut Brussel sprouts lengthwise and toss with 1 tsp avocado oil in a medium mixing bowl.
*Make the ginger dressing. You should have plenty of leftovers. This goes well on so many things. cold rice vermicelli bowls, rice bowls, Asian-inspired salads, and a tofu marinade just to name a few. The ginger dressing will last in a jar in the fridge for at least 1 week.
*If using an air fryer, pre-heat to 400F. Once preheated, toss the Brussel Sprouts in the air-fryer and fry for 8-9 minutes. I check the Brussel Sprouts about every 2-3 mins and shake the tray until they look crispy, golden brown, and tender. Careful, not overcooked. If using an oven, pre-heat to 400F. Place Brussel Sprouts on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes until crispy, tender, and golden brown.
*Once the Brussel Sprouts are done, place them back in the mixing bowl and add cilantro, mint, peanuts, pickled onions, and chili pepper ( optional ) and toss with the ginger dressing. Serve immediately.

Burmese Salad

May 27, 2022 by Amanda Barberis

Aloha!

I just returned from another incredible trip to Kauai!

We spent almost three weeks taking beach walks, surfing, free diving, beachcombing, ceramic hunting, muumuu shopping, and drinking a ton of green juice. It was amazing!

On this trip to Kauai, we finally opted for accommodations with a kitchen. We love eating out on vacation but over the years we have found that we are more comfortable making the majority of our meals at home. Especially on longer trips. Not only is it more affordable but we generally feel so much better when we do this. Plus, Kauai has some pretty amazing farmer’s markets so it makes it even more enjoyable to make meals at home.

However, we did make a few exceptions…

My favorite place to eat on Kauai’s Northshore is an upscale ramen restaurant named Ama. Not only is the food absolutely delicious but the airy building and general esthetics are so on point! Beautiful dark wood interior, open-air with garden seating, an incredible view of the waterfall abundant mountains of Hanalei, beautiful Balinese teak furniture, bamboo lanterns, and a generous amount of orchids. Seriously, EVERYTHING I LOVE! Check out their website HERE.

I think we went to Ama maybe five times on this three-week-long trip? I basically ordered the same exact thing every time…Fried Brussel sprouts ( minus the fish sauce ), ramen with a vegan spicy miso broth, and a Burmese salad with a ginger vinaigrette that I’m completely obsessed with!

As soon as I returned to Maui, I did my best to recreate the Brussel sprout dish and the Burmese salad and honestly, I think I nailed them both! Or at least made a very passable version of them.

So here’s my attempt at Ama’s incredible Burmese salad. I’ll post my version of the Brussel sprout dish in another post. If you make it to Kauai, make sure to make a reservation ahead of time at Ama so you can try the real deal!

Burmese Salad - two entree size salads or 4 small

Roasted Lentils - Pre-heat oven to 350F

1, 14 oz can of brown lentils. Drained, rinsed, and patted dry on a paper towel
garlic powder and salt
avocado oil spray
Spread drained, rinsed, and dried lentils on an oiled parchment-lined cookie sheet making one layer. It’s important to use pre-cooked lentils when making this recipe. I used canned lentils for convenience but you can easily cook your own. After spreading the lentils on a cookie sheet, spray lightly with avocado oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, shake, add a sprinkle of garlic powder and bake for another 10 minutes until slightly crispy. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature. I use about half the cooked lentils for this recipe and save the rest to snack on or to add to other salads for veggie bowls.

Ginger Dressing - you will have leftovers

1/4 cup avocado oil
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1.5 Tbs cane sugar or coconut sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 Tb grated fresh ginger
Mix/shake all the ingredients until the sugar is dissolved.

Salad Base

Romaine lettuce ( 1 medium head ) finely chopped
Napa Cabbage ( 1 medium head, tender green part of leaf only ) finely chopped. If you can’t find Napa cabbage you can just add extra chopped romaine.
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/3 cup sliced sushi-style ginger ( I used the Ginger People brand )
1 Tb sesame seeds
1/3 cup chopped peanuts ( or almonds if avoiding peanuts, cashews would work too )
2 Tbs sunflower seeds ( optional )
1 red Fresno thinly sliced or Thai chili thinly sliced ( optional ) These chilies are HOT so be careful.
Place all the salad-base ingredients in a large bowl. Add about 1/2 of the prepared roasted lentils and 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup of the ginger dressing. Toss everything together and enjoy!
***Cubed and baked teriyaki tofu make a fabulous addition to this dish. Add a side of sticky rice and you got a great filling meal.

Spicy Black Bean + Corn Salad

January 31, 2022 by Amanda Barberis

I’ve run into a really bad habit lately when it comes to the food I bring to work. I’m up crazy early ( 5am! ) but I’m also done by 1 or 2pm. Because of this, I don’t take a lunch break and I have been basically living on GoMacro Bars or sourdough/almond butter sandwiches until I can get home to eat some greens or something more substantial.

THIS IS NOT OKAY

Because of this, my recent goals are to come up with some recipes that are healthier than sourdough, something really portable, high in fiber and protein, and something I can get 2 to 3 work lunches out of. So far, this spicy bean and corn salad has been a great solution.

Spicy Black Bean + Corn Salad - makes 2-3 servings

one 14oz can of organic black beans rinsed and drained
one 14 oz can of organic corn kernels, rinsed and drained
1 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/3 cup red onion, thinly diced
1/2 cup vegan feta crumbles ( I like “Follow Your Heart” Feta ) or an organic sheep’s milk feta if not vegan ( or omit entirely )
1 Tb plus 1 tsp red wine vinegar
1 Tb avocado oil
juice of one lime
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp black pepper

*Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Taste, and adjust salt, spice or lime juice if needed.