American Samoa

American Samoa is a small group of five exotic and beautiful islands (Touwila, Aunwu and Manua Islands Ofu, Oloosega and Tau) and two coral atolls (pink and suelian atolls) located in the eastern Samoa archipelago. The first inhabitants of the islands are the Polynesians . In 1722 a Dutch sailor discovered these beautiful pieces of land, and from 1899 they became an overseas territory of the United States. Today, while the islands feel the American cultural influence, the locals have managed to preserve their rich cultural heritage. And also the beautiful nature. The population is about 70,000, 95% of whom are obese, making them the number one in the worldMainly the American Samoa farm is processing and preserving tuna. 100% of this products exports to the US.

American Samoa’s waters were used to land the American astronauts during landing after missions to the moon in the 1960s and 1970s. One of them was sent a small flag of American Samoa, which was later returned with three lunar stones to the island state by US President Richard Nixon.

Rain is raining via 300 of 365 days each year. This is not for me.

After the birth of a child in American Samoa, it is a tradition to bury the afterbirth near the family home in order to link the child to the place and community. For the same reasons, they are also burying their dead near the home. American Samoa’s traditional clothes are a kind of piece of cloth as a skirt and are usually worn by both men and women. Male and female can use lava lava (a type of traditional garment) in many cases, but a putalesi (also a traditional garment) can only be used by a woman.

The main food products of the islands are taro, jackfruit, banana, coconut, papaya, mango, chicken, pork, canned sauces (pisupo) and seafood. Sometimes onions, potatoes, lettuce, cabbage, carrots, beans, and tomatoes are also consumed. In the past, local people have fed twice a day – late in the morning and early in the evening. Now the model has changed to three meals a day. Traditionally, most families feed on mats on the floor. Elders and guests are always served first; children and women often eat later. On official occasions, large quantities of food are prepared, because the guests are eaten in the meantime, and the remainder carries their homes. On such occasions, the leaders are also served with Kava, a soft drink with a mild narcotic effect from the roots of the Kava plant.

What I chose to prepare from American Samoa is called “Boundcake”. Tender and very chocolate cake covered with caramel sauce and coconut chips. I baked it in the form of cake, but nothing prevents you from baking it as a simple cake. This is just a presentation.

About cake:

270 grams of semi-sweet chocolate (I put 200 grams of black and 70 grams of milk)

½ tea cup butter, softened

200 grams of sugar

3 eggs

2 tea cups of flour

½ teaspoon of soda for bread

½ teaspoon of salt

1 cup of hot water

Vanilla

For topping :

¾ tea cup butter, softened

¼ tea cup of caramel sauce (replace it with sweetened condensed milk)

100 grams of powdered sugar

1 ½ – 2 tablespoons of fresh milk or liquid cream

For decoration:

1 ½ tea cups of coconut chips

caramel sauce / melted chocolate

Steps of preparation:

Melt the chocolate in a water bath.

Beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until blended well, about 5 minutes.

Beat in eggs one at a time. Beat in melted chocolate just until blended.

Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt.Add the flour mixture to the dough.

Slowly, with mixer on LOW speed, add hot water.

Add vanilla. Pour batter into prepared Bundt pan.

Bake at 180 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let it cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then remove the cake on a grid to cool it completely.

To make a glaze, whisk the oil and caramel sauce. Gradually add sugar powders. Beat to the desired consistency.

Bake very short (minute / two) coconut chips at low temperature. Be careful because it burns fast. I know that from experience. 😉

Apply the glaze to a chilled cake.

Sprinkle with toast coconut and sprinkle with caramel sauce or melted chocolate.

It was from American Samoa. The texture is soft, tender, and velvety and it stays tasting fresh for days. The coconut chips bring you to the island state, and you dream of deserted beaches, beautiful corals, and colorful fish among them, exotic fruits and smiling local … As I know, I really need a little to dream of such a destination. A piece of cake and I’m already dreaming for long journeys. 🙂 If you want to get there, just do the recipe. It requires a little effort, but it brings so much pleasure.

Next destination – US Virgin Islands.