You know, I usually cringe when I read about Hawaiian-themed parties that include tiki torches and other items that are not really Hawaiian. Culturally, I've always been offended because these parties are really un-Hawaiian...it's a stereotypical opinion of Hawaii. That's just my opinion and I mean no disrespect to any organization that holds these theme parties.

*stepping off soapbox*

So--to avoid doing what a friend of mine did at Dartmouth regarding Hawaiian theme parties (it's a very long agonizing story that happened a few years ago), here's a simple and inexpensive dish that you can serve for a "Island" theme party--it's my mom's recipe:

BANANA PINEAPPLE UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE

Ingredients:

• 3/8 cup butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 mashed banana
• 1 cup crushed pineapple
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 1/3 cup butter
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
  
  Procedure:
  Cream butter and sugar, add beaten egg, sift flour, baking powder and salt, add gradually with milk to butter mixture. Fold in mashed banana. Melt butter and sprinkle brown sugar through it on bottom of pan, 8 inches square or small angel food pan. Add crushed pineapple and chopped nuts. Pour batter over this mixture and bake in pre-heated oven of 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

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[This message has been edited by OohTeenyWahine (edited July 19, 2001).]