Hawaiian Pork Roast and a Book Review of Moloka'i #LitHappens

I just finished listening to our Lit Happens selection for March.  This year we are concentrating on Historical Fiction set in different areas of the USA. 

Camilla of Culinary Cam is hosting this month and chose the novel Moloka'i.

 

I thought I had read this book many years ago, but the Moloka'i that I read was a true story based on Father Damian.  While Father Damian is mentioned in this novel, it takes place after his death, but in the colony, he started to house and treat lepers to isolate them from others for fear of contagion.  

This novel follows the life of Rachel Kolama from 1891-1970.  There is a sequel to this novel that I am anxious to read as well.  

Rachel is only six years old when she is discovered to have leprosy and sent to live on the Island of Molokai away from all those that she knows and loves save for her father's brother, Uncle Pono, who had been exiled to the Island a year or so earlier.

She is quickly removed from her uncle's home and placed in an all-girls home run by nuns. Government and Church bureaucracy trumping family wishes.  This story follows Rachel as she grows into adulthood, gets married, has a child, loses many that she loves, and finally, as she tests negative for the sixth time for Hansen's Disease and is allowed to leave the Island.

It is a very clear picture of what life was like for those exiled on Molokai and for those who felt called to care for them.  I enjoyed the novel and all the people that I met while listening.

There is a lot of food mentioned in the story.  Most often poi, eaten nearly every day, and pork for special occasions.   This influenced me into the kitchen where I made a Hawaiian Pork Roast in my slow cooker.

Lit Happens is an online book club where the members take turns choosing a book and hosting an online discussion on our Facebook Page.  There is no requirement to be a blogger nor to provide a recipe for the book we are reading, however, many of us are food bloggers inspired into the kitchen.

This slow cooker pork roast is easy and flavorful.  I served mine up with a brown rice/quinoa mixture and a Hawaiian Coleslaw.  I used the leftovers to make a delicious Polish Soup that I will be sharing with you very soon.

I am sharing this recipe over at Foodies Read.  Stop by and see what the other foodies are reading this month.  You have all month to join Lit Happens in reading Moloka'i.  Discussion is on-going as we finish the chosen book.  Just stop by the link above for our Facebook Page and let us know so we can invite and welcome you to the group.

entrees, pork, roasts, crockpot, Island flavors

Entrees, Pork

Island

Yield: 6-8 servings

Author: Wendy Klik

Hawaiian Pork Roast

Tender Pork Loin roast slow-cooked in an Island-flavored sauce that turns into a delicious gravy for serving.

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 4 MinTotal time: 14 Min

Ingredients

• 1 T. coconut oil
• 1 (3 lb) pork loin roast
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 t. cloves
• 1/2 t. nutmeg
• 1/4 t. sweet paprika
• 2 T. orange juice
• 2 T. honey
• 1 T. soy sauce
• 1 T. Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 c. + 2 T. cold water
• 1 1/2 T. cornstarch

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet, over med-high heat. Season the roast with salt and pepper and sear on all sides. Remove to the crock of a slow cooker.
2. Whisk together the cloves, nutmeg, paprika, orange juice, honey, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Pour over the roast, cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.
3. Remove the roast from the slow cooker and let rest while you make the gravy, if desired.
4. Strain the liquid from the crock, separating the fat from the broth into a small saucepan. Add the 1/2 c. water and bring to a boil.
5. Whisk together the remaining 2 T. water with the cornstarch and stir into the boiling broth, whisking until smooth and thickened, add more water if needed to achieve desired consistency.
6. Serve with sliced pork roast.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

538.41

Fat (grams)

17.19 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

6.49 g

Carbs (grams)

9.04 g

Fiber (grams)

0.13 g

Net carbs

8.91 g

Sugar (grams)

6.62 g

Protein (grams)

82.3 g

Sodium (milligrams)

417.56 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

230.47 mg

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Island Pork Tenderloin

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