HOME & GARDEN CONSUMER GUIDE

Breakfast Fit for a King or Queen

(ARA) - For the native islanders of Hawaii, Lei Day and King Kamahameha Day bring much more than typical springtime festivities. They celebrate a central element in Hawaiian culture -- family, or as they call it, ohana. At every occasion, children are attentive and courteous with parents and elders to show they’ve inherited the traditional values of responsibility (kuleana), goodness within (loko maka’I), respect (mahalo) and unity (lokahi).

Here on the mainland, spring brings similar traditions with the advent of several family-centered holidays such as Mother’s and Father’s Days. Just as they do on the islands, children can use these holidays as the perfect opportunity to pay tribute to their parents.

With its deep-seated island roots, family-owned King’s Hawaiian suggests that this year, children -- with a little help in the kitchen -- honor their parents for Mother’s or Father’s Days with a paradise breakfast in bed. The company has created some helpful suggestions and a variety of delicious, easy-to-make recipes, including: Baked French Toast with Berry Compote, Scalloped Apples and Sausage Strata, King’s Hawaiian Benedict and a cinnamon-filled Pull Apart Loaf.

For Starters

Serve the parent’s favorite coffee, tea or other breakfast drink with flavored creamers, honey or sugar. If coffee is their preference, try a rich, Hawaiian-grown Kona blend -- one of the islands’ finest delicacies. Additionally, offer a blend of exotic juices like guava, papaya or mango and serve them alongside freshly sliced pineapple.

The Presentation

Use a lap tray and place setting with a linen napkin. Adorn the arrangement with a vase of exotic tropical flowers like narcissuses, orchids or hibiscus. Continue the island theme with a heartfelt homemade card including the native sayings, Happy Mother’s Day -- Hau’oli La’o’na makuahine or Happy Father’s Day -- Hau’oli La’o’na Makua kane. As a final touch, present your honored parent with a flower lei -- a Hawaiian symbol of honor and respect.

When the breakfast is over, consider the following tips and gift ideas specifically for mothers to complete their day:

• Pamper her with a peaceful, indulgent bubble bath. Fill the tub with warm water, use scented bath salts, light candles and turn on some soft music to let her enjoy a luxurious treat.
  
• A gift certificate to a spa or nail salon offers Mom some needed relaxation and time away from home.
  
• Don’t forget that moms come in many forms. Consider honoring a special aunt, godmother, grandmother or important friend with a Mother’s Day breakfast for all the special women in your life.

For the king of the house, consider the following tips to make his Father’s Day experience the best:

• While breakfast is being prepared, bring Dad his robe and slippers, along with his favorite newspaper or magazine while he’s waiting.
  
• Give him a car wash kit that includes a bucket, sponge, soap, wax and a coupon for a free car wash.
  
• Create a handmade coupon book for Dad which offers help with chores like walking the dog, taking out the trash or mowing the lawn.
  
• If your Dad is a golfer, surprise him with a package of tees and a gift certificate to the driving range to work on his swing. Or, with summer approaching, purchase a new set of grilling tools to make him the best equipped Dad in the neighborhood for seasonal barbecues and picnics.

The following recipes made with King’s Hawaiian Bread will help create the ideal paradise breakfast, or serve larger crowds for seasonal festivities like graduation parties and bridal showers.

Baked French Toast with Berry Compote

Baked French Toast:

• 1 16-ounce loaf King’s Hawaiian Bread cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 5 large eggs
• 3 cups milk
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Fresh Berry Compote:

• 2 1/2 cups fresh sliced strawberries
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/4 cup orange marmalade, melted

Preheat oven to 350 F. Place bread cubes into greased 9x13x2-inch pan. Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat well. Mix in remaining ingredients until blended. Pour over bread. Press bread into liquid to ensure it is covered with mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Meanwhile, gently fold together ingredients for fruit compote until well combined. Cut French toast into 6 large portions. Cut each rectangle diagonally in half to form a triangle. Ladle fruit over each piece. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired. Makes 12 servings.

Scalloped Apples and Sausage Strata

• 12-ounce King's Hawaiian Sweet Bread (3/4 of 16-ounce loaf), cut into 1-inch cubes (11 cups)
• 12-ounce bulk breakfast sausage, cooked, drained
• 12-ounce shredded cheddar cheese (3 cups)
• 5 large eggs
• 3 cups milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/2 cup dried, sweetened cranberries
• 2 12-ounce packages frozen, prepared scalloped apples, thawed

Preheat oven to 325 F. Place bread cubes into greased 9x13x2-inch (3 quart) pan. Sprinkle crumbled sausage and cheese over bread. Whisk together eggs, milk and seasonings, pour evenly over pan. Gently press bread into pan to ensure it is covered with mixture. Fold cranberries into apples, and spoon evenly over top of pan. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake uncovered 55-60 minutes, or until knife comes out clean when inserted in center. Sides may be dark due to sugar in apples, but it's not burned. Let sit 10 minutes before serving. Makes 12 servings.

King’s Hawaiian Benedict

• 4 King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
• 8 slices Canadian bacon
• 2 tablespoons margarine
• 1 8-ounce can pineapple chunks, drained
• 8 large eggs
• 1 8-ounce package pineapple flavored cream cheese
• Chopped parsley, garnish

Cook bacon in a nonstick skillet until pieces begin to brown. Remove and keep warm. Add margarine to skillet and grill pineapple. Remove and keep warm. Slice rolls horizontally in half. Scramble eggs and begin to cook while toasting rolls. Toast with cut end facing up. Assemble each serving: Spread one tablespoon of cream cheese on the cut (toasted) side of each roll. Place one slice of bacon over cream cheese; divide eggs equally over each serving; top with 3-4 pieces of pineapple. Garnish with chopped parsley. Serve immediately. Makes 4 servings.

Pull Apart Loaf

• 1 16-ounce loaf King’s Hawaiian Bread
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 6 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 cup flaked coconut
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Preheat oven to 400 F. Combine sugar, butter and honey in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes; stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Reserve 1 1/2 tablespoons of coconut for garnish. Blend remaining coconut, cinnamon and nutmeg into glaze. Remove loaf from aluminum pan. Make 4 vertical slices about 1 1/2 inches apart stopping 1/2 inch above the bottom crust. Open each slice and carefully spread 1-2 tablespoons of the glaze on one side of bread and press together. Continue process until all slices are filled. Turn loaf one quarter and make another 4 cuts as described above and fill with glaze. Press loaf together and place back into aluminum pan. Spread remaining glaze over top of bread, sprinkle with reserved coconut. Bake 10 minutes. Serve warm. Makes 25 servings.

Courtesy of ARA Content
In addition to these recipes provided by King’s Hawaiian, other holiday food items can be added to enhance your family gatherings and holiday meals. Find additional recipes and information on where to buy King’s Hawaiian bread and rolls at www.kingshawaiian.com.