Hawaiian Cream Cheese Crisps with Hawaiian Cocktail

There are magic places in the world. Hawaii is one. Where you have to be there to smell the air, feel the ocean, respect and become the vibe that is aloha, relaxation, peace and connection with the natural world. Being in Hawaii is a reason to travel 'cause you just can't feel it unless you are in it. But you can bring a little bit home to remind yourself to keep peace, to strive for connection, to find relaxation even in the midst of the manic mainland. My Aunt Barbie grew up in Hawaii and is from an original Hawaiian family. Even though she now lives in a small town in Boise, Idaho, her home is filled with Hawaiian art and culture. When you visit, she welcomes, hosts, and loves with a wholeness I am fortunate to get to learn from. She takes her Hawaiian spirit wherever she goes.

This week's recipes are simple, will take about 20 minutes to make (including baking!). Invite your neighbor (or friend or significant other) over for a cocktail and hors d'oeuvre. Sit outside if you can or by a window or fireplace. Talk about the recipe. Do you like it? How would you customize next time? What about that cocktail?? Would you make it again? Have a chat. Ditch the phones. Talk a little story with a fellow human. Make the world a bit better in thirty minutes or less.

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Weekday Happy Hour at Home Recipes

Hawaiian Cream Cheese Crisps

1.5 oz cream cheese

1/2 C flour

1/2 tsp salt (try Hawaiian Alaea salt)

2 T butter

2 T chopped herbs (parsley or cilantro)

2 T sharp cheese, crumbled or grated (bleu, chevre, feta, or grated sharp cheddar)

1 T water

Mix flour and salt in bowl. Chop butter into small pieces and add. Add cream cheese. Chop with pastry cutter until granualar appearance. Add water. Mix with hands to incorporate. Add cheese and herbs. Kneed until fully mixed and smooth.

Roll on lightly floured surface to 1/8" thick. Cut in 2" rounds with floured biscuit cutter or glass.

Place on lightly oiled cookie sheet and bake at 425 until crisp (about 10 minutes).

Serve with Pineapple Cream Cheese: Mix 1/8 C shredded pineapple with 1/4 C cream cheese. Spread on crisps.

Hawaiian Cocktails for two

3 oz gin

1.5 oz pineapple juice

1/8- 1/4 tsp orange bitters or orange flower water to taste

2 egg whites (from in egg pasteurized eggs)

Put all ingredients in blender and whirl for 15-20 seconds. Pour into coupe glasses and serve immediately.

Consult with physician regarding individual suitability for raw egg consumption.

Based on Cream Cheese Crisps and Hawaiian Cocktail #1 recipes in Hawaii - Cooking with Aloha. Find here: https://www.dustedpagecookery.com/product-page/hawaii-cooking-with-aloha