Hawaiian Mac Salad

Macaroni salad just hits the spot, especially after a day on the water, when the only food that will do is a Hawaiian-style feast. Our mac salad is ridiculously easy to make, with only a handful of ingredients, however, there is a little secret to making it island-style: you’ve gotta add the vinegar and milk to the warm macaroni, then let it chill for an hour or so (chill brah, chill). This makes all the difference in the world — trust us! That simple step takes this from ‘alright’ to seriously ‘ono’ (that’s ‘delicious’ for us mainlanders).

We also discovered the magic of Kewpie mayo not too long ago, and it is well worth seeking out this amazing umami mayonnaise. It’s made with rice vinegar instead of distilled white vinegar, and it has such a sublime flavor that is perfect for many Asian and island dishes. We love the smooth texture and slight sweetness to it, compared to tangy American-style mayo. And we hear it’s all the rage and to look for it if you’re ever in Japan (Take us! Take us!). You can find it at specialty grocers and Asian markets, so go get some!

To make it, boil some mac, add the dressing, chill it down, stir in the veggies, and feast like you’ve just surfed some dreamy pipes at Banzai on Oahu’s North Shore. Try this with some grilled grindz, like fresh fish or shrimp or our recipe for Huli Huli Chicken, and feel a little of that Hawaiian Aloha floating your way!