Recipes That Bring the Family Together

"Ohana" is a term meaning family in Hawaiian made popular by the movie Lilo & Stitch. The family-owned King's Hawaiian company shares recipes to get the entire ohana around the table at once:

1. Set Aside Special Family Time -- Book a weekend breakfast; put invitations in the kids' backpacks and dad's briefcase. Plan a tasty and easy-to-make menu featuring each family member's favorite item. King's Hawaiian offers many breakfast recipes, including the family favorite below:

King's Hawaiian Strawberry French Toast

Makes 4 servings

1-1/2 inch slices King's Hawaiian Sweet Bread

2 cups sliced strawberries (fresh or frozen)

4 large eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup sugar (optional)

1 tablespoon grated rind or orange (optional)

powdered sugar (garnish)

syrup (garnish)

Cut each slice of bread into thirds. Using a serrated knife, cut a pocket in edge of each slice and fill with strawberries. Combine desired remaining ingredients.Quickly dip (do not soak) slices in egg mixture. Cook on hot buttered or oiled griddle or pan until golden brown on both sides. Keep mixture well blended. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and top with additional strawberry slices (a happy face pattern is fun). Serve with warm syrup.

2. Book a Breakfast Date -- It's no secret that kids who eat breakfast regularly have a higher school attendance rate and tend to score better on tests. Set the alarm 15 minutes early for a weekday breakfast. Make it fun by putting your child in charge of planning breakfast once a week. Keep it simple with easy-to-prepare recipes.

3. Separate Snack Time -- Turn off the televisions, CD players, and computers during after school snacks. Ask your kids about their homework; offer to help. Mix up snack menus with surprises. Try King's Hawaiian Dog Bites topped with mustard and ketchup squiggles. Serve with veggies and dip or fruit squares, and flavored milk.

King's Hawaiian Dog Bites

Makes 1 serving

2 King's Hawaiian Sweet Rolls

1 hot dog

ketchup or mustard

Heat hot dog in microwave on high for 30 to 40 seconds or boil in water over stovetop for 2 to 3 minutes. Pull apart 2 rolls from package. Create a cavity in each roll for hot dog by gently cutting a 3/4-inch hole through the center side of rolls with a small serrated knife. Cut heated hot dog into half. Place each half through hole created in rolls. Squiggle favorite condiment on top of roll and serve warm.

4. Let Kids Plan the Meal -- The kids are bound to squeeze in some Web surfing eventually, so why not have them search online for new recipes and coupons to help them plan an upcoming meal? Suggest visits to their favorite brand Web sites.

5. Get to Know Your Child's Friends -- It's important for the entire ohana to know your kids' friends. Invite them to a slumber party and to join in making a late-night snack or breakfast item. Or invite friends for an after school snack and study session. Be sure to supervise kids' cooking.

For more recipe ideas, visit www.kingshawaiian.com

EDITOR'S NOTE: Family-owned King's Hawaiian has been baking up its nationally branded Original Recipe sweet bread products for consumers in the U.S. mainland for 25 years. The company and its founder, Robert Taira, have never forgotten about the importance of ohana.