After a hurried morning meal of baked eggs seasoned with furikake (toasted sesame and nori)…
…we grabbed our bags and hopped on a plane bound for Maui.
If you’ve stuck around for a while, you probably know that once or twice a year, our family decamps to Hawaii—our home away from home. I love everything about the islands: the people, the pace, the climate, the beaches, the sunsets, the food.
{Photo credit: Lil-O. This officially marks the first time my five-year-old has contributed a photograph to my blog.}
This trip came at the perfect time. It’s been an especially busy year for us. And though we’ve done our best to juggle parenting, full-time jobs, blogging, and cookbook-writing—not to mention a good deal more traveling than usual—we’ve all felt the strain. (Our schedules aren’t letting up, either. In two weeks, Henry, who just got back from New York, is heading off to Asia yet again.) Hitting the “pause” button is exactly what the four of us needed.
Well, okay…the five of us, if you include Cat Power. (Just to be clear: I’m referring to Cat Power, Lil-O’s ever-present stuffed cat—not Cat Power the musician.)
Although my carry-on bag was crammed with meaty treats…
…we were starving by the time we arrived on Maui.
Even after polishing off a late lunch of Thai food and hitting the grocery store to stock up on protein and plants for the coming week…
…our stomachs declared that it was dinner time.
A return to Star Noodle was in order.
I’ve written a gazillion times about my visits to Star Noodle over the years (and by “a gazillion times,” I mean at least 6 or 7), so rather than gush again, I’ll just show you what we ordered this time around.
We started with a dish piled high with Star Kim Chee…
…and another longtime favorite of ours: Ahi Avo with lemon-pressed olive oil and sambal.
Next up: a rich, hearty Vietnamese Crepe stuffed with pork and shrimp…
…and our kids’ favorite dish: Yakitori Skewers with sesame and scallions.
But my vote for Best Dish of The Night goes to…[drum roll, please]…
Filipino “Bacon & Eggs”!
This dish features pork belly fried until crisp and tossed with fish sauce, onions, and other flavorings. And did I mention that it’s finished off with a poached egg on top?
I’ll admit it: We stuffed ourselves to the point where the boys were too full to order dessert. Did you hear me? THEY TURNED DOWN DESSERT.
Back at our place, we dunked the kids in the bathtub before tucking them into bed.
And speaking of shut-eye, I desperately need some now, too.
Aloha, everyone!
