Saturday, October 25, 2008

Fa'alifu Ulu... Cooked Breadfruit in Coconut Milk :)

Ulu or breadfruit is a delicious starch we enjoy throughout the Pacific. You can cook it in an umu, an oven, cook it directly over hot coals, or boil it in water. The simplest way to cook ulu is to boil it in a pot on your stove top. :) That way you don't have to look for firewood, struggle with the flames, and slave over hot coals.

First of all, how to get hold of an ulu. Well, for me, its just a matter of going to my backyard and plucking it off a tree. Yes, ulus grow on ulu trees.



You cannot just pick any old ulu, you have to be very selective. Although ulus are green when picked there are ways to differentiate whether or not one is ready for the picking. When an ulu is too young it is usually a very clean green.



If you notice in the first photo the ulu in the upper right corner is too young. The outer skin of the younger ulu is still smooth and clean. The lower ulu is perfect and ready for cooking. In the second photo I am holding the lower ulu. The skin though green has a yellowish hue to it (not always the case with every ulu). Most importantly, a lot of secretions from the ulu have stained it's skin. That is how I can tell an ulu is ready. Some people don't really care and they pick any ulu that is of good size and cook it, but I find that if you cook an ulu too soon you lose some of that golden sweetness that comes with picking the right ulu.

After picking the perfect ulu, you rinse it off and cut it in half and then cut each half in half. Each time you cut your ulu rinse it so that it doesn't brown like a potato. If it does it's okay but for presentation purposes cut and rinse or put cut pieces in a large bowl of water.



After quartering the ulu you cut off the skin and the core. In Samoa, traditional Samoan cooks scrape the skin off the ulu using the sharp edge of an already scraped coconut shell, or today many use the sharp edge of an opened tin can. For me, either one of those scenarios spells D-a-n-g-e-r, Danger with a capital D :) so I revert to using the most modern method... a nice sharp metal knife.



After you cut off the skin then you cut off the core.



When you are done cutting off the skin and core, cut each quarter into three equal parts and put the pieces into a pot of water for boiling. When the entire ulu is cut up there should be about half an inch of water over the ulu pieces in the pot. If you notice in the last picture, the ulu is not actually covered in water. This is because ulu floats. There is about half an inch to an inch of water under the floating ulu. :)



Turn your stove on high and put the pot of ulu on the stove for boiling. Once it boils turn your stove down to medium high and let the ulu boil for about 10-15 minutes. You can tell that it is cooked by inserting a fork into one of the ulu pieces. Just like a potato, if the fork goes through smoothly it is cooked.

Some people like their ulu cooked until just firm. I personally like my ulu semi firm. I boil it until the fork goes through the ulu like a warm knife through butter.



While your ulu is cooking you prepare the coconut milk that will be added once the ulu is cooked. You take a nice medium sized onion and roughly chop it and place it in a medium sized bowl.



When you are done chopping your onions you then add the coconut milk to the bowl. I am using three cans of coconut milk. You can use just two if you like, however, I prefer my ulu drenched in delicious rich coconut milk so I use a lot.

I am not picky when it comes to the brand of canned coconut milk. Whatever is on sale will do. I do prefer freshly squeezed coconut milk, but that is not always possible, and it is a lot more work :) Here are the three cans I had available in my cupboard. Each is a different brand and there is a difference. Some brands have more cream than others. I am showing you the contents of the can with the most cream inside, the Hawaiian Sun brand.

Before opening the can be sure to let the can sit a while so that the cream and water in the can can separate. Try your best not to shake or move the can unnecessarily as you open it with a can opener. As you can see the cream is very rich. When you pour the can's contents into the bowl with onions you don't want to dump it right in. You pour in as much of the cream as you can without getting much of the water mixed in. Some water will get in, but the least amount of water in the better, your coconut cream will be nice and rich not runny and watery,



Next you want to add some salt. Cup the palm of your hand and pour in some salt. You just kind of eyeball it. Just enough salt so that it doesn't run over the sides of your hands. I would put in a little at a time just to be sure you don't over salt the coconut milk.



Now comes the fun part :) This is the part that gives your fa'alifu it's flavor. After pouring the coconut cream into the bowl, you pour salt into your palm and mix the salt, coconut cream, and onions with your hand. Yes, your lovely tasty hand :) This is how I remember my grandpa doing it and he made the best Samoan food. As you squish the onions, salt, and coconut cream together you integrate the flavor of the onion into the coconut cream and at the same time salt it to perfection. Remember squish release squish release :) Yum! Do this for about 5 minutes. When you are done, set it aside and wait for the ulu to finish cooking.



When the ulu is cooked to your liking. Completely drain the liquid from the pot.



Pour the coconut milk over the cooked ulu distributing it as evenly as possible. Put the pot back on the stove and turn it up to high.



When the coconut milk boils turn the heat down a little below medium high and let it boil for about 3 to 5 minutes. Let the milk boil over the pieces of ulu and then turn the stove off and remove pot from the heat.



Let the fa'alifu ulu cool for about 10 - 15 minutes. The coconut milk will thicken and cling to the ulu pieces. Now it's ready to eat. Just scoop it into a bowl or onto a plate and serve it with your favorite main dish. I love it with a can of wahoo. Yum!

41 comments:

Calidore said...

Even though I've just had dinner, I'm hungry for fa'alifu ulu. Your pictures and descriptions are so yummy, yummy. So when's to'ona'i?

Liz said...

so yummy, siana! i love this blog already!

Liz said...

girlfriend, time for a new post.

Amanda said...

This looks delicious! I'm not sure how I can find ulu so far from Hawaii...I need an import to Maryland :)

david santos said...

Excellent posting!!!
Nice pictures good fruts and good descriptions!!!
Have a nice week!

rolo™ said...

nossa impressionante, eu nunca ouvi dizer dessa fruta, parabéns,e pelo visto tem em abundância em seu país, deve ser parecida com um kiwi grande?, ela é doce?, desculapa a curiosidade, mas eu nunca tinha visto mesmo, fiquei com água boca, parabéns :)

é difícil conseguir uma muda de “ULU”, você gostaria de recer alguma muda do Brasil meu país, se quiser me informe, eu gostaria de ganhar uma muda de “ULU” :)

sepa said...

i don't know you, but got to your site from my cousin ipo's blog. you are so cool for posting this. thanks! can you do one for puligi? :o)

EOTU said...

Malo Sepa & Amp... do you know how closely guarded those recipes are? LOLOL One day I haven't had time but I will be working on posting other recipes this month. Soifua, Siana

Selase said...

Talofa...how'z it. You wouldn't happen to know the recipe for palusami, would you? BTW,Your blog is awesome.

Dee said...

My dad would eat that all up! Sadly, no ULU in Seattle. :) well not on trees and the Samoan store is in Tacoma, about an hour away.

Bernadette Lopa said...

Girl, I just had faalifu kalo for dinner.and faalifu ulu is my favorite...too bad no ulu in Sacramento

Sarah Malufau said...

Wow Siana! I finally got to your blog and I love it! Can't wait for more recipes! I gotta make this for Shaka. He loves ulu and so do I. Thanks for sharing Siana!!

T*Family said...

Yummy Yum Yum.. Wish I could walk to my backyard to find an ulu tree..LOL. Thanks for the step to step instructions. I love love love fa'alifu of any kind but haven't yet tried making it myself. Now I feel confident with your instructions that I can.. Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!! Keep them yummy recipes coming.

Unknown said...

Hi Siana!! Connected to your blog through Ms. Larissa's blog!btw..that looks really yummy:) I'm not great at cooking poly food..but I would definitely love to make this for my dh and surprise him..He lived in Samoa for 2 years before we got married so I'm sure he'll jump on this one..Thanks so much for sharing and may you have a wonderful Mothers Day!! much ofas..Maopa:)

Unknown said...

many mahalos for your detail and thoroughness--looking forward to many tasty meals!

-M said...

Mmm this looks sooooo good!!! Do they have breadfruit in the US?

Thomas Teraoka said...

thanks for posting! I just got an ulu and dont know how to cook it lol. i'll try it this way!

Bebedores do Gondufo said...

Very good blog.

Unknown said...

Mahalo for this wonderful recipe! I have an ulu I picked this afternoon--now I know what I will cook tonight!

Nick said...

Hey! This is a great post. Can you do another one?

MALAKIARAE FLORES said...

We have a lot of Ulu's in our area, wonder if I can send over to Mainland or if we could par-boil and overnight? Anyone interested let me know. I have not checked with Ag department but would be willing to send to a few people if they checked this out.

-M said...

There's no Ulu's over here. I just moved to East Tennessee :( I wouldn't mind getting my hands on one though :)

nrawlins said...

Wow Siana! You go girl! This is AWESOME!

hughes family said...

can you post more recipes?! we love ulu, but i'm not a great cook, so i'd love more help from you and your great pictures!!

Anonymous said...

Just made this and ate a bowl full. Yummi very good and rich. Can't believe such great flavor from so few ingredients. First time cooking Ulu, love it. Thank you for the beautiful step by step photos. The salt and onions is a key step.

Nate @ House of Annie said...

Hi, I don't know if you check this blog anymore, but I used your recipe to make my own breadfruit in coconut milk. Thanks for your excellent instructions!

http://www.houseofannie.com/boiled-breadfruit-in-coconut-milk/

Unknown said...

I loved the way you talked about which type of ulu to pick first. I let my son pick the one he wanted and after reading your blog I realized it was green. We are going to cook it anyway since we have it. Next time I know what to look for. BTW, any tips for getting the sap off your fingers and knives? Will the sap stick to my pots?

Thanks! Excellent blog.

Aiko said...

aloha Siana! mahalo nui for this blog post! i wish you had more! your directions helped me cook 'ulu this way for the first time, and it's so 'ono and makes me so happy!

Unknown said...

Mahalo nui...just got a ulu from and wanted to do something with coconut milk. So delicious. Made it for my ohana and now its a new favorite.

Mimisan said...

How informative ! I live in Hawaii and received two beautiful ULU"s as a gift from a dear Samoen friend of ours. the Ulu's are just ripe as you describe it.
Thank you for the photos! I just cooked it in the oven , I will try your coconut sauce....We are drooling already !

Mimisan said...

Just finished it is delicious, I cut the pieces of Ulu a little two small next time I'll cut them like yours (less starchy water when boiling)Again thank you for this easy and SoOO ONO RECEIPE !

Anonymous said...

I live in Tahiti, and my neighbour just gave me 3 uru (it is called uru here), I'm going to use your recipe with fresh coconut milk. Thank you so much for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the detailed instructions. I was just given a large Tahitian-type oblong ‘ulu (as it is spelled in Hawai‘i). I have only cooked it overripe before in haupia (baked sweet pudding with coconut milk) and in pancakes so this is my first time cooking it firm and savory. I am going to boil/steam it and freeze part of it, and then use in another recipe. I appreciate the detailed instructions on how boiling actually is steaming because the ‘ulu floats. Thank you!

taravahine said...

Thank you! I made this twice now. Delicious!

Unknown said...

Thank you so much, loved making this for my first time trying ulu (from Costa Rica) it was delicious!!

Unknown said...

Wow, 10 years since the original post and this is still the best ulu recipe! i tried it today and my family loved it! Using only the cream part of the coconut milk made a big difference. Talofa!

Unknown said...

Aloha! My name is Brennan, and we’ve never met before. Mahalo nui for this awesome recipe! I’ve been using for the past 10 years and love it. I adapted it by adding sweet potatoes and Hawaiian chili pepper and entered it into a recipe contest and won! It was one the “Kamaaina Recipes” Facebook group. I’d love to share the prize with you if you let me know how I can get in touch with you. Thanks again!

EOTU said...

I’m so glad that you enjoyed the recipe, made it your way, and won! Congratulations!!! Much Aloha! 😁

Unknown said...

Mahalo again for your awesome recipe!

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