This holiday season, Lanakila Meals on Wheels is asking for the community’s continued support in helping seniors in need. With a rapidly aging population, 1 in 6 seniors in Hawaii face hunger.

Join the mission by donating items to be gift-wrapped and delivered on Christmas Day through Lanakila Pacific’s Kupuna Wellness Centers and the Meals on Wheels’ home-delivery meal program.

Each senior will receive a holiday gift bag along with a hot and nutritious dinner. Items needed include lap blankets, full-sized bath towels and full-sized toiletries (shampoo, body wash, lotion, toothbrushes and toothpaste). Monetary donations will go directly toward providing meals.

Contributions last year helped provide and deliver more than 975 meals to our kupuna on Christmas Day.

This week try some recipes compliments of the Meals on Wheels kitchen.

PORK GUISANTES

By Meals on Wheels

• 1-1/2 pounds lean pork, cut into 1-by-1-1/2-inch pieces
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 (8-ounce) can no-salt tomato sauce
• 2 teaspoons half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen peas
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, seeds removed and sliced
• 1/2 cup pimento peppers (with juice), chopped

Separate fatty and lean pieces of pork. In a large pan on medium high heat, saute fatty pieces with garlic until browned.

Add lean pork and continue cooking until pork is cooked through.

Add water, tomato sauce, half-and-half, fish sauce, bay leaf and pepper. Simmer 10 minutes.

Add peas, onions and red peppers; simmer 1 minute. Add pimento peppers. Serves 6.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving: 240 calories, 8 g total fat, 2 g saturated fat, 75 mg cholesterol, 200 mg sodium, 13 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 6 g sugar, 28 g protein.

BAKED CHICKEN WITH POULTRY GRAVY

By Meals on Wheels

• Nonstick cooking oil spray
• 3 pounds bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 teaspoon pepper

>> Gravy:

• 1/4 cup fat-free margarine
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup chicken stock
• 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon pepper

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly spray sheet pans with cooking oil spray.

Arrange chicken thighs on pans skin side up. Sprinkle evenly with pepper. Lightly spray chicken with more cooking spray. Bake 35-45 minutes.

>> To make gravy: In a small pot on medium heat, melt margarine. Blend in flour and cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Slowly stir in chicken stock, seasoning, onion powder and pepper. Blend well and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 6-8 minutes, until thickened. Serve with chicken. Serves 8.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving (based on low-fat margarine): 270 calories, 17 g total fat, 4.5 g saturated fat, 85 mg cholesterol, 200 mg sodium, 1 g carbohydrate, no fiber or sugar, 29 g protein.

HOISIN OVEN-BARBECUED CHICKEN

By Meals on Wheels

• 20 boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 3-3/4 pounds)
• 1/4 cup sliced green onion, sliced

>> Sauce:

• 1/2 cup hoisin sauce
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon chicken base (see note)
• 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 3/4 cup water

In a large bowl, combine sauce ingredients. Remove 1/4 cup sauce for glazing. Combine chicken with remaining sauce and refrigerate 8 hours.

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Remove chicken from sauce and arrange on sheet pans. Brush with reserved sauce. Bake 35-40 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions. Serves 10.

>> Note: Chicken base is a paste sold near the bouillons in the soup aisle of supermarkets.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving: 320 calories, 12 g total fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, 145 mg cholesterol, 600 mg sodium, 16 g carbohydrate, no fiber, 12 g sugar, 34 g protein.

More Hawaiian Electric Co. recipes are available at hawaiianelectric.com.