Copycat Recipes: Hawaiian Sweet Bread

hawaiian bread

Learning to make your favorite restaurant or prepackaged foods at home not only saves money, it’s usually a lot healthier.   I recently saw a Hawaiian Sweet Bread recipe on Pinterest and decided to give it a go.   Instead of using cake rounds, I used a standard bread pan.  I had to bake the bread slightly longer because of that variation.  The two bread rounds would be more authentic and true to the shape of the Hawaiian sweet bread found in stores.  You could also use the dough to make Hawaiian sweet rolls.

Frugal Tip:  Pineapple juice is not an ingredient I buy regularly, but occasionally I’ll stumble upon a recipe that calls for it.  I purchase a large can of pineapple juice and freeze what I don’t need in ice cube trays for future use.  That way, I was able to get the best value at the store without any drop going to waste.  I can use it in this Hawaiian Sweet Bread recipe, marinades, slushies, etc.

Copycat Recipes: Hawaiian Sweet Bread
Recipe type: bread
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 8-10
 

Sweet Hawaiian bread at home for much less than the prepackaged version!
Ingredients
  • Copycat Hawaiian Bread Recipe
  • 2 packets active dry yeast
  • ½ C. warm water
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 C. pineapple juice
  • ½ C. water
  • ⅔ C. sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • ½ tsp. ginger (optional)
  • ½ C. butter, melted
  • 6 C. white flour
Instructions
  1. Mix yeast with ½ C. warm water. Let sit for 10 minutes until foamy. Combine yeast, eggs, pineapple juice, water, sugar, vanilla, butter in a mixer. Add in flour gradually. Dust a cutting board with flour and place the dough on it. Work dough in flour until it’s no longer sticky. Split in two equal sections.
  2. Grease two cake rounds and place dough inside. Let the bread rise until doubled in size. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.


Recipe adapted from:  Allrecipes.com

Quick Shrimp Tacos

quick shrimp taco recipe

This has been our go-to recipe for shrimp tacos after tasting them in San Diego for the first time in 2007.  For me, it’s the dressing that makes it delicious (I’m a huge cumin fan).  You could easily substitute the shrimp for fish if that’s more to your liking.   For even more flavor, brush the shrimp with butter and garlic cloves, skewer them, and throw on the grill (if you have the time).  The “rainy day” method for me is just a quick toss in butter in a skillet.  Plus, it takes much less time.

Frugal Tips:   Frozen shrimp is often found on buy one, get one free sales at the supermarket.  When you see those sales, stock up!  It keeps for months in the freezer and is great for recipes like this.    To save even more money on this recipe, load your tortilla up with more slaw and fewer shrimp.  A little bit goes a long way!

Note:  If you’re going for an even healthier recipe, swap the sour cream for Greek yogurt.  You’ll hardly be able to tell the difference!

Quick Shrimp Tacos
Recipe type: Main
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
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Serves: 4
 
These shrimp tacos are quick, easy and taste great!
Ingredients
  • ½ C. sour cream
  • 3 Tbsp. mayo
  • 4 Tbsp. milk
  • 1 tsp. cumin
  • Medium shrimp, peeled and cooked (or use leftovers)
  • 2 Tbsp. butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Corn tortillas
  • Cole slaw salad mix
  • Queso fresco
  • Green salsa (tomatillo)
  • Cilantro for garnish
Instructions
  1. Mix the sour cream, mayo, milk and cumin for the dressing on the cole slaw mix. Set aside. Toss your shrimp in butter in a skillet with two cloves minced garlic. Assemble all ingredients in a corn tortilla. You can either dress the slaw mix ahead of time, or have each person add as much or as little dressing as they choose. Add crumbled queso fresco, salsa and cilantro to taste.

 

Easy Raspberry Chipotle Salad Dressing

raspberry chipotle salad dressing

archer farms raspberry chipotle dressingI am a big fan of recipes that don’t take long; and if the outcome tastes like restaurant fare, even better!  I picked up a bottle of this Archer Farms Raspberry Chipotle grilling sauce at Target yesterday (just $2.99!) and used it to create a salad dressing in under five minutes.   I tossed it with a greens/spinach mix, goat cheese and sliced almonds.  It was delicious!

Frugal Tips:

  • Look for goat cheese at ALDI.  Last month, I spotted President Brie logs on sale there for just $.99!  Sam’s Club and Costco are also great sources for inexpensive cheese.  Soft cheeses are more perishable than hard cheeses, but they can be frozen.
  • Sliced almonds run about $2.49 (ALDI) to $2.99 (Target) a bag.  A little goes a long way!  I used less than 1/4 bag on these salads.  Don’t forget to put the partially used bag in the freezer so the nuts stay fresh for the next time you use them.
  • The rest of your Raspberry Chipotle Sauce will taste good on grilled chicken, but it’s also great as an appetizer.  Pour about 1/3 C. over a block of softened cream cheese for a frugal appetizer.  Serve with crackers or cocktail bread.
Easy Raspberry Chipotle Salad Dressing
Recipe type: Salad
Prep time: 
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Serves: 4
 
An easy semi-homemade dressing that’s ready within minutes!
Ingredients
  • ½ C. Raspberry Chipotle Sauce (any brand will work)
  • ⅓ C. vegetable oil
  • 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
  • Cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions
  1. Whisk the ingredients above together until emulsified. Enjoy!