When I think of Hawaiian food, Sam Choy is the first thing that comes to mind. Along with the most perfectly sweetened pineapples, Sam Choy's food epitomizes the Hawaiian islands to me.
As I type this, we are just departing the Big Island of Hawaii and I am already missing the tropical warmth and beauty of the Island.
Prior to embarking on a trip to Hawaii years ago, my Uncle Harlan gifted me with the fabulous Sam Choy's Cooking from the Heart, Hawaiian cookbook.
The recipes are those that Sam serves up in his restaurants and that inspire home cooks like me to copy for a transformative trip to the Islands whenever we are needing a fix.
This visit, we had the treat of eating a delicious lunch at the famed Sam Choy's and it lived up to all the rave reviews. His restaurant above Kona boasted the most incredible views with open air seating and the food met all my expectations for a traditional Hawaiian meal.
The Hubs is famous for his kabobs that are marinated in Sam Choy's marriage of ingredients that include Shoyu sauce, a Hawaiian soy sauce, that can be found in Asian grocery markets or in many larger grocery stores as well.
Sam Choy's 30-Minute Marinade for Hibachi Steak or Chicken
Recipe from Sam Choy's Cooking from the Heart Cookbook
Ingredients:
6 chicken breasts or 2-3 pounds of steak (if you can get it sliced super thin, that would be best)
Marinade:
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 - 1/2 cups shoyu (sweetened soy sauce similar to teriyaki but uniquely it's own flavor)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup ginger, minced
2 tablespoons green onions, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon Chinese parsley (otherwise known as cilantro), minced (I have had to make it without this ingredient on occasion and it turns out fine)
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
Instructions:
1. Prepare your grill or coals on a hibachi.
2. Blend marinade ingredients thoroughly, slice your chicken or steak and let marinate for 30 minutes.
3. Grill over coals or on your grill turning after 3 minutes for a total cooking time of 8-10 minutes for the chicken and to your preference for the steak. You can also pan fry or broil the chicken or steak if needed.
I like to serve this with steamed rice and vegetables or stir-fried vegetables and fresh pineapple for dessert.
Serves 4-6
