Dinner Night...

Tonight's been my dinner-night and I decided a few days ago I wanted Hawaiian Haystacks... So that's what I made... Unfortunately I didn't take a picture of it before it got put away, so you'll all just have to deal with other people's pictures.... *giggle*

Haystacks (as we call them for short) are quickly becoming a family favorite here at our house. It's delicious, it's nutritious and everybody gets to build it to their taste.

There are a multitude of recipes, all as different as our personalities. BUT the basics are the same.
You start with your regular sticky rice... and shredded chicken in a white sauce, but here the variables and changes start.... I've found the easiest way is to just put pieces of chicken in the crock-pot and let them cook for a couple of hours. Right after they are cooked enough to cut easily, shred the pieces with two forks and put them back in the Crock Pot. Then make a white sauce, I season with salt, pepper, onion powder, ground ginger, a little oregano and a LOT of Basil. When your white sauce is thick add it to the chicken and let it simmer for a little while. In the meantime, cut up your onions, green onions, cashew nuts, mushrooms, olives, tomatoes, pineapple, whatever you want and feel like... I also shred cheese, put out a bowl of craisins, open a can or two of canned mandarin oranges....

Basically from the white sauce out you're looking at a hodge-podge of whatever your taste buds desire. So you start by putting the rice on your plate, add the chicken "sauce", and then add the toppings as much or as little as you want. In the end dig in and enjoy!! :)
ALOHA!! :)