With Hawaii miles and miles away for most people, recreating the luau is a fantastic way to cool off from the sun and enjoy a relaxing night of fun. Bring an island adventure to your child's party by having a kids luau. Food for luaus are actually full of healthy fruit and lean meat. You don't have to serve the same sugary desserts common to most kids parties, like cake and ice cream. There are plenty of great recipe ideas that will make for the perfect luau and avoid having sugar-charged children bouncing off the walls. Does this Spark an idea?
Appetizers
Finger foods are perfect, especially when those fingers are small. To prevent huge messes, choose small appetizers that children will love. Mini-kabobs can be made by using chunks of pineapple, ham, and sweet pepper. Likewise, an island-flower themed fruit bouquet can be made in advance and used to decorate the tables. Take a melon (cantaloupe, honeydew, or watermelon) and cut it into a flower shapes. Run a skewer through each "flower" and add a grape at the top for the center.
Want to give them something to be excited about? Frozen bananas on a stick with drizzled dark chocolate will give them the sugar they desire, but also the important antioxidants found in chocolate.
Main Meals
Chicken tenders don't have to be deep-fried. Take skinless chicken tenders and dip them into an egg wash, then roll chicken in both panko Japanese bread crumbs and crushed macadamia nuts. Bake at 350 degree until cooked through the middle and serve with honey mustard dressing.
Another great main course idea is to broil shrimp lightly seasoned with salt and pepper. Serve with "fiery"volcano sauce made with cocktail sauce.
Japanese culture is extremely influential in Hawaii. Include vegetable sushi rolls for those who don't eat meat.
For dessert, serve a great staple in Hawaiian cuisine: poi. Poi is a pudding made from taro root, but your version can be made with vanilla pudding and purple food coloring. Its intriguing color will be the talk of the party.
Drinks
Sugar-filled soda pop can turn a kids party from a relaxing get-together to an all out hurricane of frenzied activity. Cut down the sugar highs with nutritious fruit smoothies, fruit-pulp drinks, and icy low-sugar beverages. Serve in coconut shells and throw in an umbrella for the right touch. Keep an eye on the adult beverages to prevent children from grabbing the wrong cups.
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