After the Earthquake
An earthquake rocked Hawaii yesterday morning, causing a score of minor injuries (no fatalities) and minor structural damage. It was big enough to get your attention, yet modest enough not to wreak too much havoc. Thank you to the many of you who emailed your concern. We're all doing just fine.
A few highways were closed and power was out across most of the state. Aside from the excitement of the initial tremors and the lack of electricity, the day was much like any other lazy Sunday.
About mid-afternoon, we realized two things. The power might not be coming back any time soon, and we were starting to get hungry. What do you cook after an earthquake? Supermarkets are are closed or mobbed, so we're working with ingredients on hand. There's no electricity, knocking the oven, stovetop, crockpot, microwave and hot plate all out of commission. Finally, preference should be given to items that will spoil without refrigeration. I love a good challenge...
Rooting around in the darkened corners of the freezer, I found a family pack of boneless chicken thighs. Some yogurt in the fridge. A lemon and few miscellaneous veggies. Just outside sat a giant sack of charcoal and a 15" Weber.
An hour later, we were eating Tandoori chicken kebabs (with bell pepper, tomato and Maui onion), ʻulu pulehu (fresh-picked, wrapped in foil and "baked" on the grill), leftover basil and olive oil focaccia (wrapped in foil and warmed), leftover rice (again, wrapped and warmed), sliced watermelon and to top it all off, Ted's Chocolate Haupia Cream Pie.
The smell of grilling caught the attention of our neighbors. We've been trying to schedule something for three months, but it took an earthquake and Tandoori chicken to bring them over. Gathered around the table by candlelight, we ate our eclectic feast as we laughed and talked. When the power sprang to life midway through dinner, it was almost a disappointment, harsh and glaring. Instead of jumping back up to check email and place calls, we turned the lights back low and spent the next few hours polishing off the best meal we'd eaten in weeks.
I'm so glad to hear that you are all well. Thanks for sharing that cool story. How neat that this brought all of your neighbors together. Sounds like a delicious meal too!
Hi Alan - Good to know you're doing well. And eating rather well under the circumstances too!
What a wonderful candle-lit dinner. Glad to hear all is okay. It took a comment on the blog to alert me to the quake in the islands!
Amelia and Kirk, it's the old "when life gives you lemons..." idea. Being without power cramped my style, that's for sure, but once I embraced the challenge, it was fun to live it up a little, hang out with friends and eat the best possible meal.
Rowena- From what people on the mainland tell me, Hawaii was THE major U.S. news story for about 24 hours. I'm actually kinda glad that Italy didn't jump on the bandwagon. In the end, it cost some people inconvenience and money, but no one life was lost.
Our power was down for just about 3-4 hours, so we were lucky....but our house did rock!
The Tandoori chicken is a favorite of mine!
Sonia- it's hard to describe the sensation to someone who's never experienced an earthquake, but yes, houses were rockin'