Cookbook a fund-raiser for Kona Outdoor Circle

Here's are a couple of recipes from the new "Kona On My Plate" cookbook, a fund-raiser for the Kona Outdoor Circle.

This rich dessert actually comes from a member of another worthy Kona organization, the Calabash Cousins, a group that assists the Daughters of Hawai'i in maintaining Hulihe'e Palace. It's from Bettina Linke.

Calabash Cousins Coconut Bars

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar, divided
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups coconut, shredded
• 1/2 cup macadamia nuts, chopped

Combine flour and 1/2 cup brown sugar in medium bowl. Cut in butter with two knives or pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse meal. Press into bottom of lightly greased 9-inch square pan. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool slightly.

Meanwhile, combine eggs, remaining 1 cup brown sugar, flour, baking powder, salt and vanilla in large bowl, mixing well. Stir in shredded coconut and chopped macadamia nuts. Spread coconut mixture over crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove and cool. Cut in 2-inch square bars. Yields 20 bars.

This simple pipi (beef) stew dates back to an era when poi, not rice, was the staple food. It's as basic as you can get, stretches readily to feed a large family and can be simmered on a back burner while you're out weeding the lo'i (taro patch).

Kanaka Stew

• 3 pounds beef stew meat, cubed
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 2 or more tablespoons cooking oil
• 1 teaspoon Hawaiian salt
• Water as needed
• 2 large onions, coarsely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups fresh poi

Brown the stew meat and garlic in hot oil in a Dutch oven. Add salt and enough water to cover. Simmer, covered, until meat is tender, about 3 1/2 hours. Add onions and simmer an additional 10 minutes. Stir in poi and heat to boiling point. Ladle over rice in large soup bowls. Serves 8-10.