World Wide Vegan

Fresh Tropical Salad Recipe Below

I love fruit and when I travel I love to try the local fruit selections. Regardless of where I am, there is always something interesting at the farmers market or at roadside stands.

During this last trip to Hawaii I purchased some fresh picked fruits from a local, road side vendor to go along with the papaya we ate for breakfast each morning. The bright purple speckled fruit here is Dragon Fruit. I love Dragon fruit - but then I also love Kiwi and the bright magenta, seeded dragon fruit has a similar taste to kiwi.


As you can see from the picture the deep red color tends to bleed onto anything it touches including the white Lychee fruit laying next to it in the photo above.

The deep red color is so beautiful that it is often used to make wine as well as to color pastries, but I like it freshly chilled alone or with other tropical fruits. Be careful not to eat too much of it at a time as doing so can result in a reddish discoloration of the urine. The discoloration won't hurt you but it can be alarming.

Tip: Dragon fruit is a powerful antioxidant and it's medicinal properties include prevention of colon cancer and diabetes. Dragon fruit, neutralizes toxic substances such as heavy metals, reduces cholesterol and high blood pressure. Eaten regularly, it controls Asthma and cough.


Star fruit (Star Fruit, Star Apple, Carambola)is another common tropical fruit that is now sold in California and Florida as well as in Hawaii and other tropical areas. It's nickname is Star Fruit because when you slice it the slices are star shaped. This is a delicious, mildly sweet fruit with a waxy skin that is also edible. I love to slice it and use it in fruit salads as a beautiful garnish.

Tip: Star Fruit, Star Apple, Carambola is known to reduce elevated blood sugar when eaten regularly.


Lychee fruit is an under appreciated fruit that can take a little getting used to. But once you have tried it a few times you will want it every chance you get. Underneath the red bumpy skin is smooth, white flesh that is sweet and tastes a little like a tropical flower smells. Peel the fruit and discard the seed. Then either eat it or use it in fruit salads. Delicious!

Tip: Lychees are a rich source of Vitamin C, calcium, potassium, phosphorus and thiamine and are said to cure a cough and indigestion.

Many of these fruits are becoming widely available in your local grocery store, so when you have the chance to buy tropical fruit don't just buy the pineapple and mangoes, try something new and refreshing. You will be glad you did.

Tropical Fruit Salad

Chop or slice the following into a bowl:

1/2 ripe pineapple, chunked
1 mango peeled and seeded
6 medium lychees peeled and seeded
1 ripe banana
2 kiwi, peel, slice and then quarter the slices
6-8 large strawberries, sliced and halved
1 cup chunked papaya
1/2 cup guava juice
1/2 cup passion fruit juice
2 tsp. lemon juice
2 Tbs. coconut milk
3 Tbs. lightly toasted coconut
5 slices star fruit (with peel)

Mix fruit chunks (except Star fruit) in a bowl. Chill.
Whisk together juices and coconut milk. Pour over fruit and toss lightly.
Garnish with toasted coconut and star fruit slices.
Serve.

Labels: dragon fruit, Hawaii, lychee, medicinal, star apple

If you are planning a trip to Hawaii and you want to experience a Vegan Hawaiian Luau be aware that there are really only 2 options. Fortunately one of those options is the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu which is by far the most spectacular cultural event in the South Pacific. I'll expound later.

First let me tell you that Hawaiians are big meat eaters. And consequently the typical, touristy luaus are not vegan friendly. Nearly all Luaus include a traditional Imu (pig) ceremony where the tourists gather around the fire pit as the whole pig is dug up from the underground oven. My first luau was decades ago, before I was a vegan, and still it was one of the most grotesque experiences of my life. After seeing that poor pig being lifted from the earth and then torn to shreds for our consumption I wasn't able to eat anything at all.

We have traveled all over the South Pacific and have attended many luaus in Hawaii and none of them hold a candle to the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC). The PCC is an all day event in which you will experience the many peoples and cultures of the South Pacific. You will learn to do the hula, play Polynesian games, and see the best Polynesian shows offered anywhere in the world. And to make it just about perfect, the PCC offers a vegetarian luau which also offers many vegan dishes including: Vegetarian chili, white rice, baked island sweet potatoes, green salad, spinach salad, poi, pineapple and other local fruits and salads, cucumber/carrot salad, pineapple bars and more.


Not only can you enjoy the Ali'i vegetarian buffet but there are several other restaurants and buffets which offer even more vegan options including tofu dishes and island fare. I absolutely recommend visiting the PCC and experiencing the one of a kind entertainment and eateries. You get all of the entertainment, classes and shows regardless of where you choose to eat, making your culinary experience a personal choice.

The second vegan option is on the Island of Kauai. It isn't a luau in the traditional sense. In fact is it just a buffet featuring all vegan, island-style food at the Blossoming Lotus in Kapaa on the Coconut Coast. Once a month they feature an all-vegan luau style buffet which is an absolutely delicious way to taste island fare. There are no Hawaiian-style shows or cultural activities included, but the feast is well worth attending. Call ahead to see when they are having their monthly buffet and arrange your trip accordingly. Otherwise visit the restaurant anytime to experience their delicious, daily, vegan cuisine.

Tip: Most of the larger hotels offer free, Hawaiian-style entertainment at least one night a week. And in the evenings the malls and even the larger restaurants have hula dancers Hawaiian music and activities to enjoy. So I suggest you forgo the expensive, pig cooking, luau and get your fill of Hawaii in other ways.

If you still plan to attend a traditional luau I suggest eating before you go and spend your time enjoying the entertainment. And of course you should avoid the Imu ceremony or you may find yourself flying into a rage and causing a scene.

Labels: Hawaii, luau, Vegan, Vegetarian

Hawaii is the perfect destination for finding the best of vegan fare. The island of Kauai has a large population of vegetarians and so the local eateries cater to the vegetarian and vegan patrons by offering vegetarian and easily veganized meals.

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The Blossoming Lotus Fusion Cuisine in Kauai, Hawaii (and Portland Oregon) has got to be the nicest vegan eating establishment I have ever been to.

While in Kauai last week we visited the Blossoming Lotus in Kapaa on the Coconut Coast. The completely vegan restaurant is on the main road on the north end of town across from the ABC store. Now, I'm not talking about burritos or stir fry dishes, this restaurant offers a full menu of gourmet selections. Not only do the chefs create original recipes using fresh island ingredients, but they have foods inspired by popular dishes from around the world.

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I had Greek Spanakopita with tofu, falafel and spices. My husband had a huge salad with the best vegan corn bread I have ever tasted. The cornbread was served with fresh apple butter and sprinkled with cocoa and cinnamon. It was almost good enough to be a dessert. And my son ordered marinated tofu with a soy-yogurt topping that made the flavors burst fourth in your mouth.

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At the gift store you can buy a recipe book with all the foods offered on the menu. Click on the links above to go to the official site for the store and the restaurant.

Of course the meal was a bit pricey but this is Hawaii, and the experience was well worth every penny.

Labels: Blossoming Lotus, Hawaii, Kauai, Portland, restaurant, Vegan

This week I'm in Kauai, Hawaii. We are staying in a condo which not only is more comfortable than a hotel but it allows us to do our own cooking. Of course we eat out part of the time but it is nice to create nutritious meals that meet our dietary requirements as well.

Last night we came back from a very full day of fun in the sun (in November no-less) and I didn't feel like doing anything fancy so I threw together a fabulous taco salad. It is a family favorite while traveling or at home. We were so tired and hungry that I forgot to take a photo before we devoured it. Just imagine a bed of greens with seasoned beans, guacamole and olives on top.

With my family helping we threw this together in about 15 minutes. The men in my family prefer to add chips and cheeze but it is still fabulous and filling without the heavy additions.

Travel Tip - When traveling instead of carting bottles of seasonings along, try purchasing seasonings in bags in the ethnic section if your grocery store. Better yet, pour some of your own spice into 1-2 oz. zip-bags (found in craft stores).

In a pot I combined:
1 can of drained & rinsed black beans
1 can of drained & rinsed pinto beans
3T. tomato paste
1/2 chopped onion*
1 c. water
2-3 cloves crushed garlic
2 t. Mexican oregano
1/2 t. ground cumin
pinch of crushed red chili pepper (to taste)
2 t. chili powder
salt to taste

Simmer while preparing remaining salad ingredients (15-20 minutes)

Place into serving bowls:
1 bag rinsed & drained chopped greens
1 can sliced black olives
Bottled salsa
Shredded soy cheeze if desired - I omitted the cheese to reduce the fat content.
Guacamole (see recipe below or make your own recipe)
Corn chips (optional) I omitted the chips


Guacamole: mash avocado. add remaining ingredients - 1/3 jar medium salsa, salt, 1/2 t. lemon juice.

* if you are feeding people who don't appreciate onions you can keep them out to sprinkle on the salad later.

Start with the lettuce greens and add toppings as desired.

Labels: beans, easy, family favorite, Hawaii, taco salad, Vegan