Simply Blissful Living - Taste of Fiji

Vakalolo, a family favorite, is a soft and sticky cake/pudding that is steamed in banana leaves. The banana leaves impart a flavor that elevates the dish to another level. This simple, yet tasty, dessert/snack is an islander favorite. Vakalolo is easy to just throw together and steam for an afternoon snack with a cup of tea. The ingredients are so easy to find on the island! In fact, you can probably find it in the gardens of many "koros" [Fijian communities] and home gardens. I prefer to use fresh cassava and coconut; however, grated coconut and cassava are both readily available in most Asian and Indian stores and they are just as good. Banana leaves are available at most Asian markets here in Northern California and even the refrigerated ones will suffice. However, if you're living outside of Fiji and can't find banana leaves, you can use foil in its place. It works well, but the dish does leave something "missing."  This is what you'll n...

Purini or Fijian coconut steam pudding is one of the oldest pudding around in Fiji. Purini uses simple ingredients but taste SO delicious! It is moist, not too sweet, and has an amazing caramel color reminiscent of chocolate cake. It has been windy here lately. T ypically, the weather is a lot warmer during May, but the wind is keeping things cool. Not that I am complaining! This cooler weather is WELCOME! On days like today, a cup of chai, with some Fijian Pudding Cake/Purini is always a sight for sore eyes [quite literally true in my case, due to allergies]. There is something about the comfort foods of the island that brings back so many great memories. This "pudding cake" uses simple ingredients but taste SO delicious! I used my Instant Pot to steam this cake, but I have steamed it on the stove in the past and it turns out just as great. You don't even need to change the time. Steaming it for 40-60 minutes seems to do the trick. I steamed mine for 45 minutes ...