Recipe(tried): Luau Party - Haupi, and Pina Colada Fruit Dip

Hi, Cari - Sounds like fun. My SIL threw a luau bday party a couple years ago, and I saved two of the recipes that I liked. Haupi is a coconut-flavored pudding. I don't know if the fruit dip could be considered authentic, but it sure is good. According to my notes scribbled on the haupi recipe paper, I took a pasta salad with pineapple, grapes, mandarin oranges, toasted almonds, bacon, and a dressing made with sour cream and brown sugar - but I don't think I used an exact recipe, so you'd have to experiment with that. It was pretty good, if I remember correctly. I'd also consider serving a big fruit salad made of tropical fruit, because the colors together are so beautiful. Haupi

7 ounces shredded coconut
5 cups whole milk, hot
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup sugar

Measure 1/4 cup coconut and set aside.
Place the remaining coconut into a bowl big enough to hold all the milk. Pour the hot milk over the coconut, and let stand for 30 minutes.
Strain the mixture through cheesecloth, squeezing out all the liquid.
Discard the coconut.
In a saucepan, combine cornstarch and sugar. Stir in the flavored milk. Cook, stirring constantly, until bubbly and thick. Pour into a greased baking dish (or smaller containers - I used little plastic throw-away cups that held about an ounce each, for the dessert buffet table, and garnished them variously with coconut, pineapple, and mandarins). Sprinkle with reserved coconut, and chill until firm.Pina Colada Fruit Dip

8 oz crushed pineapple in its own juice
1 small pkg instant coconut pudding mix
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream

Blend together well. Cover and chill overnight.Let us know what you end up putting on the menu!