Healthy Homemade Hawaiian Haystacks

Looking for a stress-free solution to weeknight dinners and large family gatherings? Say aloha to Healthy Homemade Hawaiian Haystacks! Transform your dining experience into a choose-your-own-adventure meal with a creamy chicken sauce served over fluffy rice and adorned with over 20 vibrant toppings. Perfect for busy schedules, picky eaters, and feeding a crowd, this adaptable recipe is also suitable for gluten-free diets.

The Marching Band Connection:

Transport yourself back to the high school days of marching band, where a simple act of volunteering turned into a six-year culinary adventure. Fueled by the desire to support the marching band family, a dedicated mom and her fantastic cook friend took on the task of feeding over 200 people every weekend for eight weeks straight. The lessons learned during those years have now been distilled into a valuable guide for feeding large groups, encompassing everything from planning to serving.

Important Considerations for Feeding Large Groups:

• Number of people: Account for both adults and children.
• Demographics: Consider factors like gender, age, and lifestyle.
• Dietary restrictions: Be aware of allergies, intolerances, and special diets.
• Number of meals: Tailor your menu based on the occasion.
• Cooking location: Adapt your approach depending on whether you’re on the road or in a kitchen.
• Prep ahead of time: Utilize appliances like slow cookers for efficient preparation.
• Food groups: Aim for a well-balanced meal with representatives from each food group.

Healthy Homemade Hawaiian Haystacks Ingredients:

• Shredded chicken
• Butter and flour (gluten-free options available)
• Chicken broth (low sodium)
• Skim milk
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Nutritional yeast
• Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper
• White rice (substitute with brown or cauliflower rice)
• Assorted toppings: Cherry tomatoes, diced ham, pineapple, peas, olives, almonds, and more.

How to Make Hawaiian Haystacks:

1. Cook the rice: Boil water, add rice, cover, and simmer until water is absorbed.
2. Prepare the sauce: Create a roux with butter, flour, chicken broth, and milk. Add cheese, nutritional yeast, and seasonings.
3. Add shredded chicken: Combine with the sauce and simmer.
4. Serve: Spoon the chicken sauce over rice and top with desired toppings.

Tips for Serving a Crowd:

• Multiply the recipe for larger groups, preparing the sauce in large skillets and transferring to a slow cooker.
• Calculate rice quantities based on the number of people and cooking time.
• Choose at least 8-10 toppings for variety and enjoyment.

Healthy Homemade Hawaiian Haystacks Recipe:

• Servings: 8
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 25 min
• Total Time: 40 min

Ingredients:

• Chicken Gravy: Onion, mushrooms, butter, flour, chicken broth, skim milk, mozzarella cheese, seasonings, shredded chicken, white rice.
• Toppings (choose your favorites): Cherry tomatoes, bacon bits, diced ham, and more.

Directions:

1. Cook rice and set aside.
2. Prepare sauce and combine with shredded chicken.
3. Simmer and stir in toppings.
4. Serve over rice and enjoy!

Conclusion:

Transform your family gatherings into a culinary adventure with Healthy Homemade Hawaiian Haystacks. This versatile recipe, born from the experience of feeding a marching band, promises a crowd-pleasing meal with endless topping options. Simple, flavorful, and adaptable, it’s the perfect solution for feeding large groups with ease. Aloha to stress-free cooking!