Pacific Island Recipe

coconut pesto

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  • Island Style Pineapple Chicken Recipe

    Island Style Pineapple Chicken Recipe

    • 1/4 cup soy sauce
    • 1/4 cup honey
    • 1/4 cup diced fresh pineapple
    • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
    • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

    Instructions:

    1. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, pineapple, vegetable oil, garlic, and ginger.
    2. Place the chicken in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over the chicken. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours.
    3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
    4. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the excess marinade. Grill the chicken for 6-8 minutes on each side, or until it is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
    5. Serve the chicken with the grilled pineapple slices and your favorite sides, such as steamed rice or roasted vegetables. Enjoy!
  • Yummy Food Photo Gallery

    Yummy Food Photo Gallery

  • A traditional Fijian earth oven cooking method using hot stones and banana leaves

    A traditional Fijian earth oven cooking method using hot stones and banana leaves

    A visual look at traditional Fijian lovo cooking—from preparing food in banana leaves to slow-cooking over hot stones in an earth oven.

    Lovo just uncovered - cooked and ready to be served.
    Lovo fire burning
    Pealed taro being placed in lovo
    Taro cooked in lovo pit
    Lovo fire burning waiting for rocks to be red hot
    Making palusami

    How Lovo Is Made

    Lovo is a traditional Fijian method of cooking food underground using heated stones, banana leaves, and natural steam. It is commonly prepared for special occasions, gatherings, and celebrations, and is valued for its slow-cooked flavor and communal preparation and earthy taste.

    1. Preparing the Earth Oven

    A shallow pit is dug in the ground and lined with stones. Wood is burned over the stones until they become extremely hot, creating the heat source for cooking.

    2. Preparing the Food

    Meats, root crops, and vegetables are seasoned and wrapped in banana leaves or foil. This helps lock in moisture and allows the food to cook slowly without direct flame.

    3. Layering the Lovo

    Lovo fire burning waiting for rocks to be red hot
    Lovo fire burning waiting for rocks to be red hot

    Once the stones are hot, the embers are cleared. The wrapped food is placed on top of the stones, often layered carefully to ensure even cooking.

    4. Sealing and Cooking

    The food is covered with more banana leaves, sacks, and finally buried in soil to trap the heat. The lovo is left sealed for several hours, allowing the food to steam and cook gently.

    5. Uncovering and Serving

    When ready, the lovo is opened and the food is carefully removed. The result is tender, smoky, and richly flavored dishes that reflect generations of traditional cooking.