Luau Prep, day 1

Our boy is turning 8! That means it is time for the annual Luau. This will be our 6^th luau, go carts and bounces houses were more important some years, and I am in full preparation mode. The menu will be super simple. I have learned that kids really prefer things simple. So, this year we are skipping the huli huli chicken and the kalua pork and just having hot dogs and cake. This is a bit of a letdown for the party planner in me but a total win for my crunched schedule. There is, however, one themed food item we will be serving, the punch. I started with the “volcanic punch” from the aloha friends website. http://www.alohafriendsluau.com/recipes.html  (Check out all of their recipes they are simple and delicious. I have made most of them over the years and we never have leftovers.) Then I add sherbet because the kids love it. See my modified recipe below:

This make a lot of punch but it never lasts to the end of the party.

VOLCANIC PUNCH
3 cans frozen fruit punch concentrate (12oz each)

60oz water
1 64oz-can pineapple juice
1 can cream of coconut
2 2-Liters ginger ale

1 48oz container pineapple sherbet
ice cubes

In a large punch bowl add the 3 cans of frozen fruit punch concentrate. Add water (you can fill one of the juice cans with water 5 times). Add pineapple juice, one bottle of ginger ale, sherbet and ice cubes then stir. Then add as much of the 2nd bottle of ginger ale as possible leaving at least 3 inches from the rim of the punch bowl and stir again. Finally, add the cream of coconut. Will serve 40 people.

Stay tuned, still need to discuss games, treats and decor.

Just for fun, here is the boy at the last luau, he had just turned 6.