Tutu and the 2-minute Hawaiian Pineapple Pie
The story behind the Tutu Doll:
Hawaiian children call their grandparents Tutu. Tutu Wahine is Grandmother and Tutu Kane is Grandfather, but the name Tutu by itself is more commonly used meaning a grandmother.
When we first opened our Inn, we also had a gift shop. We started carrying these wonderful Tutu Dolls made by someone in the town of Waimea (Kamuela). I have since lost track of her, but I fell in love with her dolls. The calico print muu'muu, the lauhaha woven papale (hat) with it's lei hulu (feather lei) around the crown and the crocheted shawl completes the charming Hawaiian Tutu look.
My friend Sue who lives in the same village, fell in love with the lovable Tutu Doll in the photo, way back in 1995 and bought her for her own. This past Christmas, 14 years later, she gave me the gift of her Tutu. Circles of love...
When I was trying to think of a prop to use for the Hawaiian Pineapple Pie photos, my eyes immediately fell on the Tutu Doll. Mainland Grandmothers might bake apple pies, but island Tutus love their pineapples!
This one is for you, Sue ... Mahalo nui loa ... Me ke aloha pumehana...
So simple. I added a slight change to the instructions as they were given. The ingredients list just says 1 prepared 9-inch Butter-flavored pie crust......and not that anyone of my foodie friends would miss it, but the instructions don't specifically say the pie shell needs to be baked.
I was a cooking school teacher long enough to know that a little details like that will/can trip a newbie baker!
;-)
Two-Minute Hawaiian Pie
1 package (5.25 oz) Instant vanilla Pudding & pie filling
1 can (20 oz) Crushed pineapple in syrup, undrained
1 carton (8 oz) Sour cream
1 prepared 9-inch Butter-flavored pie crust
1/2 cup Flaked coconut for garnish
pineapple, and sour cream; mix until well blended.
NOTE: Don't make the vanilla pudding according to package directions;
just add the dry instant pudding mix to the other ingredients.
I did everything except use sliced pineapple rings to decorate the top. Instead I used candied, glazed cherries I had in the refrigerator and then sprinkled the coconut on top. Turned out quite festive looking.
YIELD: 6-8 servings
SOURCE: Linn Lancaster - shared by Bob Koontz
Mahalo nui for commenting, Tammy....congratulations on your Hawai'i born grandbaby!
What makes this Tutu doll so much more special to me is that 11 years ago this past July we had a fire that destroyed the Inn and all the records we had, so I lost track of the doll maker. Also, my friend Sue who gave me her doll, left us a few months after she gave me the doll for Christmas to look after us from heaven. My Tutu doll is a comforting reminder of a dear friend who is no longer among us in body but very much felt in spirit.
Posted by: Sonia | November 07, 2011 at 06:56 AM
I SO LOVE this story and the doll! (The recipe sounds yummy, too!) My first grandbaby (Delaney Nell) was born in Hawaii last year and I wanted to be called something different than grandma, so I am Tutu. I was just searching some things about Tutu and came across this entry. I love it, thank you for sharing and the doll is just adorable! I'm so glad she made her way back to you!
Posted by: Tammy Fletcher | November 07, 2011 at 06:39 AM
Happy New Year to you, Nancy! Mahalo nui for your comments....I love sharing whatever bits of Hawaiian knowledge, history and lore I learn along the way....
The recipe sounds like one of Sandra Lee's semi-homemade, but it is still good!
I think next time I will line the bottom with cake-like Lady Fingers though, instead of a pie crust.
Posted by: Sonia | January 02, 2009 at 08:33 AM
Happy New Year Sonia! This is a great post. I just love your stories about Hawaiian culture as I know very little about it and have unfortunately never visited the islands. But I will some day hopefully and then because of you, I'll know all about it! This pie looks yummy and what could be simpler? Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Posted by: Nancy in NY | January 02, 2009 at 08:01 AM