Orange/Mac Nut Cinnamon Rolls with Buttered Rum Icing

Orange/Mac Nut Cinnamon Rolls with Buttered Rum Icing

This is the recipe my Great Grandma Wolf made and served me when I would spend the night at her house in Glendora, California. I have taken liberties by adding the mac nuts and the rum. When I was a little girl my Great Grandma Wolf would give me buttered rum Lifesavers to keep me quiet in church, so the flavor is homage to her.  These freeze well and can be re-heated. You can also make and proof the dough the night before and then refrigerate the dough. If you do this, it will take about 2 hours for the rolls to rise in their second fermentation.

My friend Janet Montrose enjoying brunch on the lanai

Prep Time: 2-3 hours (depending on rising time)

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

·         1-1/2 packages (about 3-1/4 teaspoons) dry yeast

·         1/4 cup warm water

·         1/2 cup shortening, lard or butter (I usually use home rendered lard)

·         1/3 cup raw sugar

·         1-1/2 teaspoon salt

·         1 cup milk scalded

·         2 Tablespoons fresh lemon or orange zest

·         1 egg

·         4 to 5 cups sifted flour

·         1/3 cup chopped macadamia nuts

·         Softened butter (about 1/3 a cup, maybe a little more)

·         brown sugar (or I used a combination of male sugar and vanilla sugar)

·         cinnamon

 Frosting

·         1 cups powdered sugar

·         ½ cup mascarpone cheese

·         1 teaspoon vanilla ( I make my own)

·         5 Tablespoons good quality rum

Method:

Add the warm water to the yeast and soak 10 minutes.

Scald milk; pour over the shortening. Add sugar, zest and salt and cool to tepid. Add the dissolved yeast and beaten egg. Add 4 cups flour adding one at a time beating after each addition.

Dough should be soft yet firm enough to handle. Knead on floured board until elastic and smooth. Avoid too much flour. Turn dough into well oiled bowl. Let rise for 1-1/2 hours.

Softly press dough down and shape into a rectangle. Roll dough out into a rectangle about 18 inches wide and 8 inches tall. Cover with the soft butter. Layer with a generous layer of sugar (brown or a combo of vanilla sugar and maple sugar.) Sprinkle on cinnamon and evenly distribute the nuts. Roll up jellyroll fashion.

Using a piece of thread or dental floss cut off slices about 1-1/2 inches thick. Place slices in a full side sheet pan lined with a silpat pad (or you can spray the pan with PAM.) Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until rolls fill the pan generously. This should take about an hour.

Bake in a 350 degree F oven about 20 - 30 minutes. Do not over bake rolls. Make sure the center rolls are cooked all the way through by testing with an instant read thermometer. It should read about 200 degrees. Allow to cool at least 15 minutes.

For the Frosting:
Using a mixer with whisk attachment whip the mascarpone, then add the powdered sugar and rum. Whip till fluffy. Spread over warm rolls as soon as they are placed on a plate to let the frosting melt and run into the rolls.

First Direct Flights!

A big ALOHA was bestowed upon all 160 passengers aboard United Airlines inaugural flight from LAX to Hilo. The 737 landed and was given a water filled welcome by two Hawaiian Fire Trucks who created a welcoming wall of water with their water cannons as the plane taxied to the gate.

 

This was a very special event for those of us who live in Hilo. The daily flights to Los Angeles and weekly flights to San Francisco not only make it easier for us and our friends/family to get to and from the mainland, but these flights bring visitors directly to our side of the big island of Hawaii. The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority estimates the new flights could bring 40,000 additional visitors to Hawai‘i Island and may generate about $50.6 million in visitor spending annually.

After landing, Hawaii Mayor Billy Kenoi boarded the plane and welcomed the passengers, then grabbed an armful of leis and started presenting leis to the passengers as they deplaned.

Captain Lance Lau piloted the first flight. He was born and raised in Hilo, so it was a homecoming of sorts to him. He is a flight instructor for United/Continental Airlines in Houston. Captain Lau was honored to take the captain’s seat for the inaugural flight to his home town and arrived looking like a movie star.  

This family from Hilo booked tickets immediately when they went on sale for the grandmother and son living in Los Angeles.

Down in the arrival lounge, Mayor Kenoi, Miss Aloha Hawaii, Tatiana Boteilho, and Big Island Visitors Bureau Executive Director, George Applegate were among the dignitaries welcoming passengers. Members of the community were in the reception area along with musicians and hula dancers. Shiny red gift bags were awarded to each passenger arriving in our lovely city. Hilo Coffee Mill gave the passengers a taste of Hilo’s best coffee while they were at the luggage carousel.

Hilo was once the second most busy airport in Hawaii. The introduction of overseas service to General Lyman Field (now Hilo International Airport) in 1967 initially met with success. Joining United Airlines and Pan American Airways in providing nonstop service to Hilo from the west coast of the U.S. were Braniff, Continental, Northwest Orient, and Western Airlines. The number of overseas passengers flying through Hilo peaked at 313,428 in 1971 and remained between 250,000 and 300,000 for most of the decade. Beginning in 1979, however, overseas passenger traffic began to fall steadily, leading one carrier after another to suspend service to Hilo. By the mid-1980s (when the sugar industry left East Hawaii) overseas traffic had fallen by such an extent that United Airlines, the sole remaining overseas carrier, terminated scheduled service on December 1, 1986. The number of overseas passengers travelling to Hilo had declined in each of the previous eight years. During the first eleven months of 1986, United Airlines had served a mere 20,914 passengers in Hilo. Hilo would be left without a direct connection to North America for nearly two decades.

In 2006 ATA began direct flights to Hilo from Oakland and the flights were well filed accepted. ATA even had to use larger aircraft because demand for the flights was so high. However, in just 2 years ATA filed for bankruptcy and once again Hilo was left with no direct flights from the mainland.

When Continental merged with United there was at last an announcement of new service to Hilo. The flights were highly anticipated and there was a huge turnout at the airport to welcome the first flight.

ALOHA to all of those landing in our lush green beautiful town which is blessed with old Hawaii traditions, beautiful waterfalls, amazing flora and fauna, an active volcano and an abundance of culture and art.

If you are interested in visiting Hilo, drop me an email and I will forward you a packet of information about our area. There are some great deals on United from LA and San Francisco in September and October! 

Happy Birthday to the Shops at Mauna Lani!

The Shops at Mauna Lani will be celebrating its fifth anniversary at the Mauna Lani Resort on Hawaii Island Sunday, June 12 with festivities from 1 to 4 p.m.

Live entertainment includes the Te `E`a o Te Turama Polynesian dance halau (group) and popular musicians “Tava & Friends”, and the “Pomai Brown Ohana”. It’s an event the entire family will enjoy with numerous Hawaiian cultural activities also planned, including: coconut weaving/husking, lei making, hula lessons and ipu (gourd) making.

The pastry chefs at Tommy Bahamas are preparing their signature Pina Colada Cake for all guests to enjoy at the end of the day.

The Shops at Mauna Lani opened in June 2006 and quickly gained high marks as a premium luxury shopping destination on Hawaii Island’s Kohala Coast. The Shops at Mauna Lani also are a large part of the Big Island Film Festival as event hosts and sponsors

In addition to the many lovely shops and a grocery store, the center is home to three outstanding restaurants—

Monstera Noodles & Sushi, is a hip, casual "izakaya-style" restaurant offering Japanese pub food and sushi from owners Norio Yamamoto and Wes Monty. Yamamoto is a successful sushi chef with more than two decades of experience with discriminating employers such as Ritz-Carlton, Mandarin Oriental and The Fairmont Orchid (where he had a restaurant named after him.) The restaurant caters to the residential market with a menu built upon fresh local ingredients.

Monstera’s Hours 
Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. 
Dinner 5:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Phone: 808.887.2711
Website: www.monsterasushi.com
Location: Upper Level #111

At Ruth’s Chris Steak House, you’ll always find exceptional steaks, selected from the top 2% of the country’s beef and served sizzling hot -- with heaping sides of warm ambience and comfortable elegance.

Sizzling Prime Time Menu
Experience their exclusive "Prime Time" menu. The complete meal starting at $39.95 (plus tax and gratuity) includes a choice of Steak House Salad, Caesar Salad or Louisiana Seafood Gumbo, followed by a choice of Ruth's Chris signature eight-ounce Petite Filet, Stuffed Chicken Breast or the Chef’s Fresh Island Fish selection.

Diners may upgrade their meal to the $46.95 entrée options and select from the 11-ounce Filet, Veal Chop with Hot and Sweet Peppers or 16-ounce Ribeye Steak. All Prime Time meals provide a selection of one personal side dish from the following: mashed potatoes, steamed white rice, creamed spinach or sautéed mushrooms. And, of course, the three-course meals include dessert with a selection that includes ice cream, sorbet or the signature bread pudding with whiskey sauce.

This menu is available nightly from 5 - 6 p.m. (Holidays from 4 - 6 p.m.). Reservations are highly suggested. (The menu is available in Hawaii only and not valid with any other discount, promotion or offer.)

Happy Hour 
Nightly 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Enjoy an amazing assortment of appetizers and drink specials in a beautiful lounge or outside on the lanai. Menu offerings include a variety of appetizers starting at $6.00++.

Phone: 808.887.0800
Website: www.ruthschris.com
Location: Upper Level #121

Tommy Bahama’s Restaurant & Bar is a unique celebration of the islands offering a relaxed escape from the hustle and bustle with truly inspired cuisine. From signature dishes such as Tommy’s World Famous Coconut Shrimp, San Juan Shrimp and Scallops,  and mouth watering Pina Colada Cake, to an array of Tommy Bahama Rum cocktails, this is the place to take a break with good food, drinks and shopping. So whether you come in with friends for ‘Island Time’ (Tommy Bahama’s take on happy hour), take a mini-vacation for lunch or dinner, or book your next event in one of our large dining rooms, let Tommy Bahama’s turn the island experience from wishful thinking to a reality.

Open daily 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas day.
Island Time Happy Hour available Everyday 4pm-6pm

Phone: 808.881.8686
Website: www.tommybahama.com
Location: Upper Level #101 

For more information see their website: http://www.shopsatmaunalani.com

Hilo Bay Cafe

This post is going to be mostly eye candy. I just finished up a photo shoot for SHAPE Magazine at Hilo Bay Café. Here are a few of the dishes that were the stars of the day…

The new Spring/Summer Menu is out and of course there are the daily specials. Come on by and have a taste and let me know what your favorites are. 

Its a Wrap: 2011 Big Island Film Festival

The Crowd awaits films at the Fairmont Orchid 

I was lucky enough to get a dream photo assignment as the photographer for the Big Island Film Festival held at the Shops of Mauna Lani and the Fairmont Orchid from May 11^th through 16^th. The films were fabulous, the actors, directors and producers were available and fun to work with. The accommodations were awesome of course. There were several receptions and events included in the film festival and I was lucky enough to get to attend all of them. This of course resulted in massive amounts of photos which I am still editing. The important ones are in this post and my recent post after the Mayor’s Reception and opening ceremonies. 

The Film Makers at the Big Island Film Festival Mayor Billy Kenoi is up in the bushes

Hilo Girl, Kristina Anapau 

Sunset at the Fairmont Orchid

Twelve films received Golden Honu Awards at the 6^th Annual Big Island Film Festival at the Awards Brunch on Sunday.  Best Feature went to “Queen of the Lot,” starring Tanna Frederick and Noah Wyle, written and directed by Henry Jaglom, produced by Rosemary Marks.  

The winners of Best Short, Audience Choice Short and Audience Choice Feature with  Leo  Sears

Sarah Wayne Callies and Leo Sears

Kristina Anapau and Leo Sears

Celebrity actresses Sarah Wayne Callies, raised on Oahu (“The Walking Dead”) and Hilo’s own Kristina Anapau (“Black Swan”) were present to receive special “No Ka Oi” awards from Big Island Film Festival Executive Director Leo Sears.  


 In this clip, Sarah Wayne Callies talks about how she was cast for The Walking Dead and what it is like filming it: 

And in this clip, Kristina Anapau talks about her early years in the music industry and how she made the choice to strictly be an actress. She went from wanting to be the next Madonna to a part on General Hospital which catapulted her career into film roles:





Winners were selected from 63 entries from across the country and around the world, including 10 made in Hawai’i.  The made-on-Maui film, “Get A Job,” starring Willie K, Eric Gilliom, Augie T, Henry Kapono and many other top Hawaiian entertainers, won 2011 Audience Choice Feature.   

“Get A Job” was screened twice, the second time being at the Best of the Fest event at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai’i Plantation Estate, along with Henry Kapono in concert and Audience Choice short “The Historian Paradox.” 

Henry Kapono

Eric Gilliom hugging Henry's Guitar 

 Henry Kapono and Eric Gilliom performed at the Best of the Fest event. Here is Henry Kapono in concert singing Hi'ilawe :

Here is the full list of the award winning films. Look for them at theaters near you. “Get A Job” will be coming to the Honokaa People’s Theater soon, and will play at Hilo’s Palace theater this summer. Stay tuned for exact dates on my facebook page. “The Historian Paradox” may be made into a feature length film. You can find descriptions of each film as well as the names of the film makers at the BIFF Website.

2011 Big Island Film Festival Golden Honu Awards:

Actress “No Ka Oi”

Sarah Wayne Callies 

Actress “No Ka Oi”

Kristina Anapau 

The Barbara Award

“Regular Kids” 

Best Family Short

“The Green Tie Affair” 

Best Animated Short

“Bait” 

Best Hawaiian Short

“Layover, On the Shore” 

Best Foreign Short

“Futility” 

Best Student Short

“Thief” 

Best Short

“Wounded” 

Best Family Feature

“Trainmaster II: Jeremiah’s Treasure” 

“Best Student Feature”

“Farmer’s Tan” 

Best Hawaiian Feature

“Get A Job” 

Best Foreign Feature

“The Drummond Will”

Best Feature

“Queen of the Lot” 

Audience Choice Short

“The Historian Paradox” 

Audience Choice Feature

“Get A Job”

Get a Job won Best Hawaiian Feature and Audience Choice Feature

Historian Paradox won Audience Choice Short

Film Lovers come in all sizes!

Big Island Film Festival Opens!

Last night Hawaii Island Mayor Billy Kenoi and his staff put on a spectacular reception along with partners Kenwood Winery and the Fairmont Orchid Hotel.  Film makers from across the country joined in the celebration of the opening of the Big Island Film Festival. 

May 11^th-15^th the Big Island will feature an array of short and independent films for the viewing pleasure of the people of Hawaii and her guests visiting from other islands and the mainland. Luminaires of various distinctions will present and share their films in the casual and aloha friendly environment of the Shops of Mauna Lani and the Fairmont Orchid Hawai’i.

Sixtythree films are being presented, something for everyone. Ten of the films featured in the lineup were made in Hawaii, four of them from the Big Island. Do check out the full offerings and schedule here. Join us for a day or a weekend of interesting and entertaining films. The films shown at the Shops of Mauna Lani every evening are all free (thanks to the generous support of the Shop of Mauna Lani) and family friendly!

This is the sixth year of the festival, which grows every year. Film makers are engaged in various workshops and round tables while at the festival and John Mason, Film Commissioner for Hawaii will do a talk story/interview with Hawaii Five-O insiders Angie LaPrete, renowned film and TV producer and Chico Powell, Film and TV Production Accountant on Thursday, May 12 at the Shops at Mauna Lani at 6 pm. This event is open to the public and is free.

The highlight of the Mayor’s reception was when Kahu Danny Akaka, Cultural Historian, at Mauna Lani and Christof Leudi, General Manager, of the Fairmont Orchid Hawaii blew two Pu (Hawaiian Conch Shells) in perfect synchronization in each direction then performed a chant and blessing together to open the festival. Christof Leudi has immersed himself in Hawaiian Culture, coming far from his homeland in Switzerland. It was very special for me to be part of this ceremony.

Meanwhile, please do join us in Kohala this week as we celebrate films of outstanding quality and great interest. More pictures and video clips to come over the next 5 days.