Hilo Haupia Squares

Sam Choy

Macadamia cookie crust:
1 cup butter
2 cups flour
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup finely chopped macadamia nuts

Haupia Mixture:
2 cans frozen coconut milk (or canned)
2 cups milk
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 cup toasted sweetened flaked coconut

Preheat oven 350.

In med mixing bowl, cut butter into flour.  Stir in brown sugar and mac nuts and mix well.  Press dough into 9x13 pan. Bake 15 min, or until lightly browned.  In large suacepan, mix 2 milks.  Mix sugar with cornstarch, and stir into unheated milk.  Cook on medium heat, stirring frequently, utnil mixture thickens.  Pour mix over baked crust.  Chill.  Garnish with coconut and strawberries.
Cooking tip: oven toast flaked coconut on a dry baking sheet in preheated 325 oven, turning coconut occasionally until lightly browned.

Note: Pecans can be substituted for macadamia nuts.